The cat sleeps much more than usual: the possible reasons and when to worry


If you’ve noticed that your cat sleeps a lot more than usual during this time, you probably need to know why – here’s a list of possible reasons and when to worry.

Have you noticed that your cat is sleeping more than usual lately? Everyone knows that cats are great sleepers, who spend most of the day dozing and then go back to being more active at night. But sometimes it happens that the cat tends to sleep even more hours than he usually does.

A considerable change in a cat’s sleep habits is not a trivial sign, on the contrary: if your cat tends to sleep much more than it normally does, it is important to try to understand what the reason is and if it is necessary to worry about the his health.

In this article you will find a number of possible reasons behind the changes in the cat’s sleep-wake rhythm, discovering when everything is normal and when it is appropriate to investigate further.


The cat sleeps a lot more than usual – that’s what’s happening

Cats spend approximately 2/3 of their day immersed in the world of dreams: a puppy can sleep up to 20 hours, as can an elderly cat, while an adult cat sleeps on average between 12 and 16 hours every day. It is easy to understand, from these numbers, that in general the cat is an animal that sleeps a lot: but why, in some cases, the cat tends to sleep even more than usual?

1. He’s taking a nap

Sometimes we are convinced that our cat sleeps too much, but the explanation is simple: about 75% of the time that the cat appears to sleep is actually a phase of shallow sleep, more than anything else it is about naps lasting about. 15/30 minutes each serving the cat to keep its energy reserve intact. In many cases, therefore, the cat appears to be sleeping but is always alert!

2. The cat is bored

Boredom and stress can be very dangerous for the well-being of a cat if the cat stays home alone for most of the day, it is absolutely normal for him to stay there to sleep even beyond the normal 12/16 hours of daily sleep of the feline needs. Try to create a stimulating environment for your kitten, leaving toys available to him and spending time playing with him whenever you can: even a few minutes are enough, to be repeated every day.

3. Feline obesity

An obese cat is a cat that sleeps a lot more than usual: you must always make sure that your cat is eating a balanced diet and that he gets the right amount of exercise every day.
Also pay attention to cats who are alone all day with the bowl available: we risk that the cat will eat too much. In this case it is useful to buy a feeder that controls the portions of cat food.

4. Age of the cat

With advancing age, a cat’s sleep needs change quite radically: kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day, which is reduced to 12/16 in an adult cat, but as the cat ages and becomes elderly go back to sleep a lot, up to 18/20 hours a day.
If your cat is getting old, then, it is quite normal for him to sleep more hours than usual: what you need to watch out for is his behavior when he is active. Try playing with him and observe him: if he seems tired and lethargic, you should take him to the vet right away.

5. Feline depression

Sleeping too much is one of the warning signs that can indicate depression in cats, along with loss of appetite, a tendency to avoid physical contact and other changes in the habitual behavior of the cat. If you notice even one of these signs alongside the increased hours of sleep, it is worth taking your cat to the vet who will be able to check if the depression is in turn caused by a typical cat disease.

6. Time

Believe it or not, cats can be weather too! The climate is one of the causes why the cat tends to sleep more than usual: in the winter months and in the gray and rainy periods, when the hours of light are lower than the rest of the year, the cat will tend to sleep longer in the course of the day.

7. The cat has an infection

Certain types of viral or bacterial infections that often affect cats can cause fatigue, lethargy and increased hours of sleep in sick cats. Among these infections we remember:

– Common viruses in cats: feline immunodeficiency, feline leukemia, feline herpes, distemper and feline calcivirus.
– Common bacteria in cats: feline salmonella, streptococcus, leptospirosis, helicobacter.

Other symptoms not to be underestimated are: loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea in cats, discharge from eyes and nose, weight loss, fever and lack of interest in normal grooming.

8. Feline arthritis

Cats often suffer from arthritis, a degenerative joint disease that mostly affects older cats. This pathology causes pain and inflammation, making movement difficult and often painful: this is why the cat prefers to remain still and rest comfortably.

9. Diabetes

Diabetes is very common in cats and manifests with some symptoms including lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite in cats, vomiting and dehydration. If the cat shows even some of these symptoms, contact the veterinarian who will undergo blood tests to make the diagnosis: feline diabetes can be kept under control with a strict diet.

10. Poisoning

Some plants and substances normally present in our homes are actually toxic and dangerous if ingested by the cat: if the cat sleeps much more than usual, it could have inhaled or swallowed something that hurt or even poisoned it. If you also have other symptoms of cat poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, pale gums, or blood in your cat’s feces, it is essential to take him to the vet immediately.


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