An adult cat sleeps on average 16 hours a day. A small kitten can sleep even more, dozing away up to 20 hours a day. Our four-legged friends are true sleep experts, but why do they need so much sleep? Here we answer a few questions about your cat's sleep!
Why do cats sleep so much?
Cats still resemble their wild relatives in many of their behaviours. Wild cats spend a lot of time sleeping - it is simply smarter to save energy for when it is needed. That is why they lie around and take it easy for most of the day. The energy is saved for dawn and dusk, when it is time to hunt. You may also have noticed that your cat gets a burst of energy in the evening or early in the morning and races around the flat just as you have fallen asleep? Yes, that is the hunting instinct kicking in!
How long does a cat sleep?
Cats, just like us humans, have different sleep stages and depths of sleep. Often the cat is not actually asleep, but lies resting and dozes off now and then. Sleep alternates between a light sleep, which lasts about half an hour per "sleep session", and deep sleep, which only lasts 6-7 minutes. During deep sleep the cat dreams. That is when you can see the whiskers and paws twitch. In between, the cat spends time grooming itself, exploring its surroundings, hunting or playing.
Where do cats like to sleep?
Since the cat spends much of its time sleeping, it is important that it has cosy sleeping spots where it feels safe. Cats like to get up high or to be able to hide when they sleep. Give your cat access to a shelf or a tall scratching post where it can have its safe sleeping spot. Remember that the sleeping spot is a place where you always let the cat be left alone, so that it can sleep undisturbed there if it wants. If the cat falls asleep in your lap, well, then it is forbidden to get up until the cat leaves of its own free will ...
A cosy cat bed does not have to be expensive at all. A favourite that never goes out of style is the love of cardboard boxes. You can tell right away that a cat lives in the home when you see old shoe boxes standing here and there. Our cat customers appreciate their deliveries because it means a fresh new box to doze in, and we love seeing all the cute pictures of petgood cats snuggling in their new, sustainable beds.