How long cats sleep

During deep sleep, cats experience rapid or quick brain movement. Deep sleep tends to last about five minutes, after which the cat goes back to dozing. This dozing-deep sleep pattern goes on until the cat wakes up. It should come as no surprise that felines are affected by the weather, just like us.

Cat behavior can vary greatly, depending on their breed, age, temperament and overall health. Yes, even if your kitty is an exclusive indoor-dweller, a rainy or cold day will have him and probably you yawning and looking for some shut-eye.

Cats are crepuscular -- which means that they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. They tend to lay low in the darker night-time and day-time hours, when other predators may be hanging about. But, cats are also sociable and highly adaptable. Senior cats will tend to have less energy and reduced mobility which means they will sleep more than younger cats. Is my cat really asleep?

When should I be concerned? If you are concerned about your cat's health after your regular vet has closed, contact our Memphis emergency vets. Comments About Our Care "This place is great. Friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. They were there and willing to help us with a hawk that was injured on our street when no one else was! You'll find that cats often rotate their preferred sleeping area and they shouldn't be disturbed when sleeping.

When a cat falls asleep on their owner's lap, they often don't realise that the cat is asleep and continue to stroke them. Most cats will be aware of what is happening, but some might be sleepy and disorientated and react defensively to a percieved threat. Welcome home - Topic. Understanding cat behaviour - Topic. Cats and sleep. Similar to humans , cats cycle through different stages of sleep.

Research shows that cats often experience a period of alertness and activity before becoming drowsy and then falling into NREM sleep. During REM sleep, the eyes move behind closed eyelids. In cats, the eyes can move both horizontally and vertically. You have probably seen your cat experience REM sleep. When cats are in REM sleep, they can twitch or go limp with a loss of muscle tone. Also, during REM sleep, cats may dream. In humans, dreams most frequently occur during REM sleep. The eye movements made during REM may be linked to dreaming.

Researchers have observed cats appearing to act out their dreams while in REM sleep. Like humans, cats need to sleep to survive. In humans, consistent sleep allows the body to recharge for the next day. Sleep also plays a part in memory formation and boosting the immune system.

Researchers hypothesize that other mammals, including cats, receive similar benefits. NREM sleep may help the body recharge and conserve energy, while REM sleep can help regulate emotions and other recovery processes. In fact, some mammals, such as rats, lose weight , are unable to regulate body temperature, have weaker immune systems, and eventually die if they cannot sleep.

For example, if your cat has had a lot of activity for an extended period of time, they may require more sleep than usual. As your cat ages, they also require more sleep. However, unusual sleep or excessive wakefulness patterns may indicate an underlying health condition. If they are experiencing illness, you may observe other changes in your pet, such as a change in bathroom habits, signs of disorientation, or unusual weight gain or loss.

If you observe an unusual change, especially alongside other symptoms, talk to your veterinarian. Sarah has covered news topics for digital and print publications. She holds a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nevada. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.

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Updated September 10, Written by Sarah Shoen.