If you already own a cat then you're probably all too familiar with their sleeping patterns. Cats love to sleep and it is actually the main activity on their agenda besides hunting, chasing, and eating. It may seem that at times all your cat does is sleep. If you have just adopted a cat or are planning to do so, here are some facts about cats' sleep behavior that you should know ahead of time.
Why do cats sleep so much?
An average house cat needs approximately sixteen hours of sleep, while outdoor cats may sleep a little less than that. Kittens will sleep a lot also as they are still in the growing phase of their life. But why do they sleep so much? You might be surprised to know that their unusual sleeping habits are actually genetic. With so many different breeds of cats however there are other reasons besides genetics why cats sleep so much.
· Genetics. If we're talking about wild cats, it probably doesn't surprise you that because they hunt so much and expend so much energy, they sleep to help conserve energy between hunts. Of course your house cat has no need to hunt, but they still have the same genes as their wild ancestors.
· Types of food. Believe it or not the type of food that you feed your cat can also play a significant role in how much they sleep. They are not so different from the human body in that when it doesn't get the nutrients, vitamins, and other important fuels it gets tired. Because cats are carnivores and eat large amounts of meat, they will also get tired more as meat can make you sleepy.
· Boredom. Everyone knows that when you get bored you're more likely to fall asleep on the sofa, or go and take a nap. Cats are much the same in that when they are bored they will sleep. You play a vital role in how much they get out, and how much they can exercise. You can help your cat sleep less and be healthier by providing stimulating activities and toys for them.
· Nature. By nature, cats are generally very light sleepers and will spend almost three quarters of their lives in light sleep. Although they may look like they're sleeping they're not fully asleep and if you look closely you will see that their eyelids are slightly open. This is also part of their genetic makeup as wild cats have to be quick to awaken and flee from predators.
There are also many people who have trouble with their cats sleeping in litter boxes. While this is not a normal sleeping behavior it can be quite common and requires attention. So the question you're probably asking yourself is why and how do you stop it?
Often times a litter box is a place of safety for a cat; a place of security much like a child's binky or blanket. Some cats that feel threatened by another animal or a child will begin sleeping in their litter boxes because it is the one place they feel the safest. If you are unaware of any type of threat watch closely at what is going on around the house and you might be surprised to find something that is scaring them. In order to get them out of the litter box and back into normal sleep behaviors and habits you need to eliminate the threat.
Article Source: