Whether she stays put or moves every few hours from your bed to a sunny windowsill to the cool tiles in the kitchen, your cat spends a significant part of her day sleeping. There’s no doubt that it’s one of her favorite activities. But how much do you know about your cat’s sleeping habits? Here are 5 facts that may surprise you. cheapest cat insurance
5. Cats stay alert while they sleep
Cats are able to be partially asleep. They fall asleep enough to get rested, but still be alert enough to notice smells or sounds and be able to flee in a moment. In contrast, even when cats are awake, they’re never far away from sleep (or a cat nap, if you prefer).
4. Cats sleep for about 2/3 of their lives
Young cats typically sleep around 16 hours a day and older cats may sleep up to 20! Ever think to yourself, “Why do cats sleep so much?” Cats originally used the majority of their energy during shorter bouts of hunting for food, so they needed their sleep to conserve energy and recharge.
3. Some cats snore
Cat snoring is a real thing! Some cat breeds are more prone to snoring than others, such as Persians and Himalayans, but any cat can snore if they are lying in a position where their airway becomes partially obstructed by the skin in their soft palate. This normally happens when cats are relaxed, so don’t worry if you catch your cat sawing a few Z’s every once in a while.
2. Cats experience both REM and Non-REM sleep
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and REM and Non-REM are the two forms of sleep that humans experience. According to research done by French physiologist Michael Jouvet, cats experience the same two types of sleep. You can tell when your cat is deep in REM sleep because her eyes and ears may start twitching.
1. Weather affects cats’ sleeping habits
Just like pet parents, cats love to nap on wet and dreary days! Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, don’t be surprised if she’s yawning more and sleeping longer when the forecast calls for rain.
