Like all cats, Lotto likes sleeping so much. She has really great sleeping skills, adding more cuteness to her current level.
Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12-16 hours, with 13-14 being the average. Some cats can sleep as much as 20 hours in a 24-hour period. The term “cat nap” for a short rest refers to the cat’s tendency to fall asleep (lightly) for a brief period. While asleep, cats experience short periods of rapid eye movement sleep often accompanied by muscle twitches, which suggests they are dreaming.
The majority of cats’ sleep time is much shorter than the typical seven hours or so that humans average at night. Cats tend to sleep lightly, without going into a deep sleep.
My lovely Lotto is sleeping.
Why do cats sleep so much?
It is normal that, as natural predators, cats sleep pretty long. Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12-16 hours, with 13-14 being the average. Napping so much during the day could be easily explained by the fact that cats are, for the most part, nocturnal hunters. But actually, cats are crepuscular, meaning that they are more active around dawn and dusk (when their prey is out and about). Cats are less active through the middle of the day and in the middle of the night. Rather than sleeping for one long stretch, felines alternate sleep and activity throughout the day. As predators, cats are also inclined to engage in significant spurts of physical activity. They can expend extraordinary amounts of energy stalking, pouncing, and wrestling their prey into submission. Even when this prey is a tattered toy mouse or a rubber ball, cats generally obtain substantial amounts of exercise.
Of the time cats spend sleeping, about three-quarters of it is what we might call snoozing. In that state, cats can get all the rest they need, but they’re still alert enough to awaken at a moment’s notice. You can tell when a cat is in light sleep because their ears will twitch and rotate toward noises and their eyes will be open a tiny bit. Even when they’re sitting upright, cats can slip into that dozing mode.
The remaining quarter of cats’ sleeping hours is spent in deep sleep, but older cats might spend as much as 30 percent or 40 percent of the time at that level. Cats in deep sleep are usually curled up with their eyes tightly closed. Sometimes they might even have their tail over their face, like a fluffy sleep mask. Deep sleep is critical for the body’s ability to regenerate itself and stay healthy. It’s also the time when your cat dreams. If you’ve seen your cat’s whiskers or paws twitching while she’s asleep, there’s a good chance she’s dreaming.
Every cat has a sleep schedule that they’d like to stick with. If you have discovered a change in your cat’s sleeping habit such as sleeping excessively more or less, it may indicate a problem that needs to be checked out by a veterinarian.
Every cat needs love, attention, food, water, comfort, and safety. When you provide these for your cat you will be amply rewarded with loyalty and love. Cats are affectionate to their owners and frequently like to snuggle up on the bed with them at “lights out.” They’re delighted to greet you after a long day at work, and seem always ready to de-stress you with their special attention. The emotional connection you have with your cat makes it much more than a pet — your cat can become a vital part of your family and enhance your feelings of well-being. Nurturing your cat is an act of love that will be returned by your adorably cute kitty!
I am a software developer, a former road racing cyclist, and a science enthusiast. I take care of stray cats & dogs. Please consider supporting me on Patreon.
