Zzzzzz…Buddy is zoned out next to his buddy Eyore.
Crosby is zoned out near his scratching board and Buddy.
Not a care in the world! Cats sleep an average of 12-16 hours a day, which are broken up into short “cat naps”. They are up at night hunting imaginary mice. Ancient cats were nocturnal or crepuscular (active in the morning and the evening). Most domesticated cats have schedules like ours, sleeping for most of the night and hanging with us during the day. But your cat might be keeping to his ancient roots, acting as a predator at night, and sleeping it off during the day.
Kittens are more playful than adult cats and have periods of intense energy. Have you experienced “zoomies” with your cat? Is hilarious!!
Cats have the most energy every day during twilight hours – dawn and dusk. Buddy wakes us up every day at 6:30am with a big pounce on the bed.
There is a pattern of behavior to hunt prey, catch it, eat it and then sleep. Playing with a cat toy should be followed up by a meal or a treat, and the cat will want to sleep afterward.
Sleep vs. Resting
Just because a cat is curled up with their eyes closed, it does not mean they are asleep. If you call their name or shake a bag of treats, their ears will prick up, or an eye might open to watch you.
Little research has been conducted on the exact percentages, but although a cat may seem to sleep for 16 hours in every 24, they may only be resting. The reason cats will relax rather than prowl about or play goes back to their evolutionary history. In their minds, it is safer for them to stay still during daylight hours in case a larger predator is hunting them.
Cats tend to sleep more as they age, says Hohenhaus. A 2020 study found that the older cats get, the more they sleep.
From the age 11 onwards, data suggests that the time spent sleeping increases each year. In general, they will typically become less active and may have trouble getting around as easily as they used to, as well.
Bottom line, cats’ excessive sleep time comes down to evolution. It’s in their nature to sleep so much, and most of the time, it isn’t something you need to worry about. Let them rest, and they’ll be sure to let you know when they’re awake and ready to play.
However, if you notice major changes to the amount of time your cat sleeps, or if you notice anything else off with them, you may want to contact your vet to make sure your fur baby is healthy.
References:
Insider.com – https://www.insider.com/author/sorin-mcknight
Crosby and Buddy - Tails of Two Kitties 