Why do cats sleep so much?

[Shine]

:shrug: What's up with that?

Our two cats are healthy and only 2 yrs old, yet they sleep for practically the entire day. It's incredible how much of the day they spend sleeping. I have to throw them outside to get some exercise.

Yes, I'm a mean mommy. :evilgrin: ...maybe I'm a bit jealous of them.

but seriously, does anybody know the actual reason why they sleep so much? I'm curious...

[Radio_Lady]

1. They must know something we don't know... about relaxing and resting.

I have no clue. Good question for a veterinarian.

On edit, I asked Google:

From: http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/Pet_FAQs/cats-sleep.cfm

Q Why do cats sleep so much?

A On average, cats sleep about 16 hours a day, which equates to about two-thirds of their life. In fact, cats get more sleep than virtually any other animal, about twice as much as most mammals. Thus, sleeping is simply a normal behavior for cats. Just how much a particular cat will sleep, however, can depend upon many factors, including their age, their degree of hunger, their sense of security, the temperature and the weather.

Changes in sleep patterns, however, may require you to contact your veterinarian. Hyperthyroidism can cause a cat, particularly an older cat, to sleep less. If you notice that your cat is sleeping more or appears depressed when awake, this may be a sign of illness and should be checked by your vet.

That's it for me.

Good night and good luck. I'm going to make like a cat zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Shine]

4. Very informative. Thanks, RL!

:hi: Sweet dreams!

[graywarrior]

2. Because we bore the hell out of them

[Shine]

5. LOL!

:rofl: classic. I'm sure you're right.

[mike_c]

3. I think they're just well adapted to decrease risk and conserve energy....

Foraging is risky for all animals, but it's difficult for warm blooded animals to limit foraging exposure because of their high energy needs. One way to reduce that need is to sleep a lot. Cats are mostly small, vulnerable predators for whom the cost of foraging tends to be high-- that's why they're so good at concealment. Anything they can do to reduce that cost should be evolutionarily favored-- hunting at night, hiding signs of their presence, sleeping in concealment whenever possible to reduce their metabolic needs, extend digestion, and so on. As mammals go they're kind of medium sized-- smaller mammals have higher metabolic needs, faster energy loss rates, etc, larger mammals often eat lower quality foods, e.g. plants, and must therefore forage more frequently.

[Shine]

7. Makes sense to me, mike_c.

Good analysis! Thanks for the post! :hi:

[Ptah]

6. Because they can

[petronius]

8. Dammit - I was rubbing my hands with glee when I saw the OP,

and I showed up 3 minutes too late to make the joke! Curses... :evilfrown:

[Shine]

9. We DU'ers are fast typists!

:D

:hi:

[Shine]

10. LOL!! That's the same answer to the question: Why do dogs lick their balls?

:D

:hi: ptah! :hug: Good to see ya tonite.

[Ptah]

13. Hi, my good friend.

It's always a pleasure to see you.

:hi:

Here I am with a very good friend, this Monday.




Thanks for the :hug:

:hug:

:bicycle family smilie:

[Shine]

16. Nice pic!

You're a popular guy.... :D :hug:

[RevolutionaryActs]

11. Because they're lucky little bastards.

x(


Seriously though, if you could, wouldn't you? :shrug:

[Shine]

14. Yeah, that's why I'm jealous.

:D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. Because I feed them so they don't have to hunt.

And they don't have to get up in the morning and go to work, or do laundry, or get the oil changed in the car, or rake leaves, or pay bills, or vacuum... I'd sleep a lot, too, if I could get away with it.

[Shine]

15. Yup, must be nice....

except they do have the whole flea thing to contend with. ;)

[mrreowwr_kittty]

17. Because they are carnivores

I saw this neat special on either the Science or Discovery channel about felines way back. Most felines sleep up to 18 hours a day because they need to conserve their energy to hunt prey. My kittycat is quite adept at catching scorpions. He doesn't eat them, he just plays with them. :shrug:

[Arugula Latte]

18. That's right ...

Also, I think cats originally evolved in a desert climate and probably sleeping a lot was a good strategy to survive.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. Does that mean if I go back on the Atkins diet and get all carnivorous

I can sleep 18 hours a day, too? Or can I do that only if when I'm awake I have to stalk and kill my own prey?

[dysfunctional press]

22. plus- it takes longer to digest meat

nt

[Skittles]

19. it is ridiculous

when my vet told me my cat needed to "take it easy" I told him if he took it any easier I would have to get him stuffed :(

[Hand]

21. Insh'Allah... nt