Cats and Their ZZZZZ’s

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Felines are famously known for their catnaps. But as all cat-savvy cat owners know, their precious pusses are also adept at sleeps that surpass both siestas and snoozes.

In fact, adult cats can sleep between 13 and 18 hours a day, although the numbers will vary according to their age and personality. Those who spend their days at home alone will tend to sleep THROUGHOUT the day.

For their part, newborn kittens spend MOST of their time sleeping. Out of doors or in the wild, it’s nature’s way of ensuring they don’t wander from their “nest” or make sounds that may attract predators while Mom’s away. So it is with indoor kittens. But, as the weeks pass, the number of hours they sleep will gradually change to match those of adult cats.

As nocturnal predators, cats are prone to sleeping during the day while staying awake at night. But, as an involved pet parent, you can greatly influence your own cat’s sleeping times. By providing her with sufficient daytime stimulation in the form of cat toys or a companion cat, she’s more likely to stay awake during the day and sleep through the night. Or, alternatively, if you’re away for much of the day, the optimum time to play (interactive games are best) just enough to tire her out is just before YOUR bedtime.

As for those cutely characteristic catnaps? As opposed to dogs or humans, cats can spend numerous hours sleeping relatively lightly. How often have you seen your cat sitting with her eyes partially closed or fully opened, enjoying a restful respite? Rouse her gently, and she will be widely awake within seconds.

When selecting their primary places to sleep, cats’ priorities are safety and temperature. On hot summer days, they will seek out the coolness of high, shaded nooks and cat trees, ledges and shelves. On cold winter days, they will search for a patch of warm sunshine or a nearby radiator, curling up with their faces between their paws to reduce the loss of their own body heat.

And then, of course, there are cat beds, homemade and store bought, in varying shapes, colors and sizes, all of them spelling “comfort.” But for most friendly and faithful felines, their place of preference is YOUR big bed! This, to them, is pure pussycat heaven, the consummate cat’s meow. Nothing spells comfort for them as much as sharing your space, and nothing spells bonding for you as much as sharing your space with them.

Sweet dreams!