Getting to Know Your Cat’s Sleeping Habits
When it comes to sleeping, cats are truly the experts. Any cat owner will tell you that their cat sometimes seems to sleep more than it does anything else! But, what they may not know is that there are a number of interesting facts regarding cats and sleep. Here is a look at a few of them.
Where Does Your Kitty Sleep?
While some cat owners will swear that their cats will sleep just about anywhere at any given time, cats actually do have their preferences. According to one survey that was conducted online, for example, older cats seem to prefer sleeping at the foot of the bed when they sleep with their owners, while younger cats seem to prefer sleeping on the pillow. Regardless of age, most cats are simply looking for a place that is warm and cozy for their naps. If it is warm outside, however, your cat will likely look for a shaded place to sleep. In the winter, on the other hand, it will seek out a heat source or a ray of sunshine to cuddle under. While temperature is important, the cat also wants to feel safe and comfortable in its chosen spot, which is why so many prefer to snuggle up next to their owners whenever they can.
Speaking of sleeping in bed with their owners, about 96% of those who participated in the survey admitted that they allow their feline friends to sleep in their bedrooms. Only about 50% of those cats, however, are allowed to sleep in the bed and about 38% of the cats actually sleep on the pillow.
How Long Does Your Kitty Sleep?
It may seem like your cat sleeps away its entire day because it does actually sleep for the majority of its day. In fact, experts estimate that the average cat sleeps anywhere from 13 to 16 hours per day. The exact amount of time a cat sleeps, however, varies from cat to cat. The age and personality of your cat are two of the biggest factors that determine how long your cat will sleep. If it is an older cat or one that is generally inactive, for example, it will likely sleep longer hours than one that is younger and likes to keep busy.
Despite the long hours of sleep that they clock in, it should be noted that cats generally do not sleep through an entire night. Therefore, if you allow your kitty to sleep in bed with you, it is possible that it will disturb you early in the morning when it gets up and decides it wants to eat or play while you are still trying to sleep.
If your cat is causing too much distraction during the night and making it difficult for you to sleep, you might want to consider setting up a sleeping space for it in another room. Keep in mind that cats like to sleep on top of something, so purchase a feline bed or simply fold up some blankets for your kitty to rest upon. This way, you can both get the rest you are looking for.