Cat sleeps a lot: What is the reason?
If your cat sleeps a lot, this is perfectly normal and therefore no reason to worry. After all, it is a well-known fact that feline four-legged friends need much more sleep than humans.
However, if your cat sleeps too much, this may indicate a health problem. We will explain when this is the case in the following.
Cats sleep a lot by nature
Cats naturally need a lot of sleep. As a rule, you can assume that your four-legged friend sleeps or dozes off between 12 and 16 hours a day. In kittens and especially elderly cats, the daily rest periods can be even longer.
These numbers may sound like a lot. However, true deep sleep only accounts for a portion of the rest periods. For most of the time, the four-legged friends are merely resting and, despite their obviously completely relaxed body posture, they are also very much aware of what is happening around them.
More sleep for cats in summer and winter
Your cat's need for rest can vary somewhat depending on the time of year. If it is very hot in summer, for example, you can assume that your four-legged friend will doze more, especially during the day, because the heat gets to him.
The situation is similar in the cold and dark winter months. During this time of year, it is also not unusual for your cat to sleep a little more than they normally do.
Cat sleeps a lot: recognising health problems
Although it is normal for your cat to sleep a lot, an increased need for rest in combination with other abnormalities can be a sign of health problems.
For example, if your cat sleeps a lot and also suffers from a lack of appetite, hardly drinks at all or has a fever, a visit to the vet is definitely a good idea. This also applies if your cat has diarrhoea or vomits frequently.
These symptoms can be caused by many different cat diseases. Early treatment is often crucial for recovery. Therefore, always keep an eye on your cat and, if in doubt, do not hesitate to have the animal examined by a veterinarian if you observe irregularities in sleeping behaviour or other abnormalities.
Cat sleeps a lot due to lack of exercise
Cats are generally considered to be comparatively independent animals. This is not wrong in principle, but it does not mean that your four-legged friend does not need any activity. Especially with indoor cats, boredom quickly sets in, which can lead to the cat sleeping a lot.
Adequate activities are indispensable for your cat's well-being. Therefore, if possible, take some time every day to play with your cat and also provide them with suitable cat toys with which he can occupy himself alone.
Neutered cats sleep a lot
Neutering is usually a sensible decision for cats. The procedure not only prevents unwanted reproduction, but also has advantages in terms of health and behaviour.
A typical side effect of neutering in cats is a reduced urge to move. Neutered male cats in particular tend to lie down more often for a nap compared to their un-neutered peers. If you have the feeling that your cat sleeps a lot, it may therefore be related to neutering.
There is usually no reason to worry about this. However, the combination of hormonal changes and less exercise can make neutered cats more likely to become overweight. To avoid this, it is important to adjust your cat's diet accordingly. If your cat is already too fat, a combination of moderate calorie reduction and a dietary supplement with our special diet powder Shiimun Slim will help.
Get to know Shiimun Slim for cats.
Older cats sleep a lot
Thanks to high-quality cat food and increasingly better medical care, cats are living to be older and older. However, this does not mean that the seemingly agile and sprightly four-legged friends are spared typical old-age complaints. With increasing age, cats also slowly lose weight and the risk of various cat diseases increases.
Apart from that, as already mentioned, old cats usually sleep more than their younger counterparts. This is completely normal and cannot be avoided. Regular check-ups at the vet's ensure that typical age-related diseases in your four-legged friend can be detected and treated as early as possible.
Cat sleeps a lot - our conclusion
As you can see, in most cases there is no reason to worry if a cat sleeps a lot. It usually only becomes problematic when the need for sleep increases significantly and your four-legged friend also shows other possible symptoms of illness.
In this case it is indeed advisable to consult a vet if a cat sleeps a lot. After all, existing illnesses should always be treated promptly, even in cats, in order to ensure good chances of healing and to guarantee the best possible well-being of the four-legged friend.
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