2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
Everyone knows that domestic cats love to sleep. In order to get enough sleep, a typical cat needs at least 16 hours of sleep per night, and some specimens even more. Compared to humans, this pet sleeps most of its life. According to some sources, only opossums and bats are ahead of cats in terms of the amount of time spent sleeping. Until today, the reason why cats sleep a lot is not fully understood. Scientists explain this physiological feature by several probable reasons, most of which are associated with the evolution of the animal.
Predation as a way of life
The nature of cats is arranged in such a way that all of them, regardless of species, were and remain predatory animals. Domestic cats are also no exception. However, at present they have lost many of the features characteristic of predators.behaviors that have been acquired through evolution.
As a predatory animal, the cat shows maximum activity during the wakefulness of its prey, that is, at dawn and sunset. The rest of the time she needs to sleep and rejuvenate, which just explains why cats sleep a lot. To lead a predatory lifestyle, the animal needs to accumulate as much energy as possible, which would ensure a successful outcome of the hunt. For this reason, in the process of evolutionary development, cats have acquired the ability to accumulate maximum energy in order to use it when necessary, increasing the likelihood of successfully completing the hunt.
Features of food
Another explanation for why cats sleep a lot is the animal's food. The fact is that, as a predator, a cat needs an increased intake of protein. To digest protein foods, you need to sleep a lot. In addition, this food is highly nutritious, which allows cats to spend less time eating and sleeping more.
Drowsy due to boredom
Why do cats often sleep? It is likely that pets like to sleep because they simply have nothing to do. Cats are quite curious animals and they tend to get different experiences. Spending life in a house where the situation practically does not change, cats begin to feel bored. Even if the owners are at home, they do not always have the time and desire to entertain the pet. In order for the cat to sleep less, try to entertain it. At the same time, do not forget that thepart of the time she should spend sleeping, because that's how nature is.
How do cats sleep
Like humans, cats' sleep is divided into 2 phases: deep and superficial.
Shallow sleep lasts from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. During this period, the cat keeps its body under control so that at any moment you can jump up and run away or attack yourself.
Duration of deep sleep, as a rule, is about 5 minutes, and the cat cannot get out of this state quickly. The phase of deep sleep is followed by drowsiness, and this alternation continues until the animal wakes up.
If you count the time it takes for deep sleep, it turns out that cats do not sleep that much. In other words, cats spend most of their time half asleep.
Influence of weather
It's no secret that the weather directly affects the behavior of cats. Of course, their activity depends on many factors. This is age, and breed, and temperament, as well as the state of he alth. But the fact that dreary rainy weather explains why cats sleep a lot is a fact. It should be borne in mind that cat sleep should not exceed 80% of the time. For small kittens, sleep duration up to 90% of the day is considered normal. Longer sleep is usually a sign that the animal has a he alth problem.
Why is the cat lethargic and sleeps a lot?
Lethargy and drowsiness are a sign of many diseases. Since the temperament of each cat is different, determine if the cat is in a normal stateanimal, no veterinarian can. This can only be done by the owner, who knows his pet well. The cause of lethargy can be quite natural. For example, it could be:
- fatigue;
- hot weather;
- postoperative period;
- taking certain medications;
- pregnancy;
- old age of the animal.
How to tell if a cat is sick
If your pet is sick, in most cases other symptoms join the lethargy and drowsiness. As a rule, you can talk about the presence of a disease based on the following signs:
- the animal is hiding from everyone;
- eating little;
- doesn't drink water;
- does not groom;
- behaving aggressively;
- breathing problems;
- vomit;
- diarrhea;
- fever;
- pale gums.
If you notice unexplained drowsiness and lethargy in a cat, which is also accompanied by the above symptoms, you should take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Probable diseases associated with excessive sleepiness
On Internet forums, the topic "Why does a cat eat poorly and sleep a lot?" is often discussed. As it turns out, often lack of appetite and constant drowsiness can be associated with infectious diseases, in particular worms. In order for the pet not to lose weight and not be lethargic, from time to time he needs to be given anthelminticdrugs.
Drowsiness can also be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, this condition is accompanied by diarrhea and other abnormal discharge.
Kidney failure is another equally common cause of loss of appetite and drowsiness in cats. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable. If the animal is not taken to the doctor in the near future, the situation may end tragically. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help save the pet, so you should not hesitate.
Also, excessive sleepiness and refusal to eat can indicate problems with the liver. In this case, it is necessary to pay a visit to the veterinarian, who will prescribe a treatment aimed at cleansing the organ.
In addition, diseases of the pancreas, reproductive system, blood, hypothyroidism, diabetes, purulent endometritis, colds and others can cause reduced activity of a pet.
As you can see, the reasons why a cat eats little and sleeps a lot can be far from harmless. Therefore, if you suspect an illness, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian who can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment for your pet.
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