Do cats like doing nothing all day?

Curious Kitties! Why Does My Cat Sleep So Much?

You may have noticed that your fluffy feline friend isn’t so active during the day, and spends most of their time napping — but why? Despite now living a more domesticated lifestyle, our kitties get this tendency from their wildcat ancestors who would sleep lots during the day so that they had plenty of energy when it came to hunting time at dusk or dawn. Of course, our own kitties won’t need to hunt in quite the same way today, but they do still love to snooze!

How Long Does a Cat Usually Sleep For?

Cats are phenomenally talented at sleeping! The average kitty can sleep 12-20 hours a day, and tends to nap best when the house is quiet and calm. They also like to sleep in the strangest places, from that cardboard box they found in the cupboard, to the highest ledge on the bookshelf — anywhere they feel safe and secluded!

Despite being able to sleep through the whole night without stirring, cats also nap throughout the day for periods lasting between 15-45 minutes. But don’t be fooled — despite looking still and peaceful, your kitty will be wide awake and ready to react to the slightest noise, especially if that noise is food-related! If you look closely, you can tell if your cat is sleeping lightly as their ears will move and rotate towards any interesting noises.

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

There are lots of reasons for sleepy kitties! They sleep for a number of reasons:

To Stay Healthy!

Sleeping is as important for cats as it is for humans. Lots of sleep is important to stay healthy and allows the body to regenerate, which is an important process for all living things. Cats spend about a quarter of the time they are asleep in a deep sleep. You can often spot this in your kitty by watching to see if their body is twitching or if their eyes are tightly closed. Twitching usually indicates that they are dreaming — probably about finally catching that goldfish!

Sleep is Related to Age

Similarly to humans, your kitty’s sleep patterns will change as they age. As kittens, they will probably spend a large proportion of their time sleeping, as they need the energy to grow and develop. As juniors, they are likely to become more active and playful, so may notice them napping less. And then as they get older, their energy levels will drop again, meaning more naps.

It’s just their routine

You may find that some cats are just more nocturnal than others. Some cats have a stronger crepuscular nature than others, making them more playful early in the morning and late at night. This would also explain why your cat is up at the crack of dawn during the summer, thinking it’s playtime!

It’s a great way to relax and stay warm

Much like how us humans feel sleepy when cuddled up in front of the fireplace, in the colder months cats like to curl up to stay warm. Sleeping is a great way for cats to maintain a steady body temperature due to lack of activity — whether that be stretching out by the window in the summer, or snuggling up under the radiator in the winter.

But… they may not be well

So we’ve established that cats like to sleep… a lot! But as with anything, there is a limit to what is normal. If you have noticed that your cat is sleeping excessively more than normal, you should always contact your vet. It could be a result of something as simple as a change in the weather (if it’s raining your kitty is less likely to want to explore outside and may substitute this for sleeping), or it could also be a result of changes in the home that are making your feline friend nervous. In the face of an unsettling situation, cats often hide away or pretend to sleep in their favourite hiding place.

You may have also noticed that your cat is awake more at nighttime, or is generally sleeping less and is constantly full of energy. If this is something you have picked up on, it’s important to get your kitty checked by a vet to make sure they have no health issues such as cognitive dysfunction or hyperthyroidism.

If your vet has ruled out any medical issues but your cat is still overly active, try to incorporate playtime into your daily routine. Playing with your cat will help to keep their mind and body active, meaning they’re nice and sleepy when it comes to bedtime.

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7 Signs Your Pet is Bored

Your pet is unusually restless lately… tearing through furniture, fighting with fur friends, and begging for more treats. If you’re scratching your head and wondering why their behavior has drastically changed, we may have an answer.

Your pet could be bored!

Yes, boredom strikes for our pups and kitties too. When they experience boredom, they aren’t able to articulate their needs. Instead, they show, rather than tell. Suddenly your dog or cat is begging for more treats and chasing their tail far more than usual.

Signs like these indicate your pet needs some attention –– whether that’s in the form of extended playtime or adding another fur friend to the mix.

Studies have found that animals , similar to humans, become bored and can develop signs of depression or anxiety if left under stimulated for long periods of time. Some animals will even engage in self-stimulating behaviors in an attempt to self-soothe, like repetitive or abnormal behaviors when they lack mental and social engagement.

Recognizing the warning signs will make your fur baby happy, and prevent any possible long-term effects of boredom.

1. Destroying or Damaging Furniture

Is your pet acting out and scratching up your favorite couch or randomly chewing through the coffee table legs?

While they might normally go after the furniture when there aren’t any toys or chews available, notice if their actions have become excessive. This could look like scratching or chewing household items for long periods of time or being destructive in areas of the house they usually avoid.

2. Repetitive Behaviors

Did you know pets can develop impulsive actions as a form of pet obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD )? Usually, as a result of stress, anxiety, or boredom, they will continually repeat a behavior.

Be extra mindful if you notice any of these signs in your pet.

Pacing
Tail chasing
Spinning
Shadow or light chasing
Excessive licking, scratching or biting

Excessive Licking
Pulling or ripping fur
Chewing or sucking fabric
Meowing repeatedly

Some of these behaviors can be very harmful, so be sure to monitor your pet if they’re displaying these signs.

3. Overeating or Begging

You’re eating dinner and your cat or dog suddenly pounces near your plate, with the cutest eyes ever. They do this pretty often and you’re used to it! But if you notice your pet is begging more than usual, there may be another issue going on.

Eating too much and begging could suggest your pet needs more entertainment. Even a long-lasting chew or toy could offer some relief.

4. Eliminating Around The House

Boredom can also look like pooping and peeing in places around the house not designated for potty trips. If your well-trained pet is suddenly changing their bathroom behaviors, it could be a sign. It may feel like your pet is trying to get revenge but rarely will they relieve themselves in places where they shouldn’t just for funsies.

Be sure to rule out all other possibilities like if your pet is pregnant, nursing, in the pup or kitty age range or senior, before taking any steps to prevent boredom.

5. Excessive Sleeping

On average cats sleep up to 16 hours each day and dogs sleep up to 14 hours per day. Depending on their age (puppies vs. seniors for instance) the amount of time they need to sleep fluctuates.

Notice if your pet is sleeping all-day. While they might take naps here and there, they shouldn’t be sleeping 24/7.

If they are sleeping more than usual and you’ve ruled out any potential health issues, then they are probably bored. As humans, we tend to sleep or eat when there is nothing left to do, which is also true for our pets.

6. Fighting with Other Pets

When your pet is bored they’ll find anything to entertain themselves –– even if that means their other fur family members or friends. This could look like fights at random when they’re usually cordial with other pets or showing aggressive behavior during walks.

Of course, pets tend to play fight for fun. But how do you know when the fighting has turned serious?

Signs of aggressive fighting:

Excessive chasing/corning other pets
Physically harming another pet
Alertness (stiff tail or gaze)
Hissing or barking

Be sure to stop the behavior and separate the pets immediately if things get out of hand.

7. Attention-Seeking

When your dog or cat is extra cuddly, it’s always a treat! Those snuggle moments are exactly why you’re a pet parent in the first place, right?

Except when your fur baby is whining, nudging, and begging for your attention 24/7. You might continually tell them to stop the behavior, but they’re communicating a different message to you. They’re most likely bored and need some form of engagement.

There are ways to curve your pet’s boredom by making a few simple changes. And by simple, we mean changes you can start implementing today!

Ways to Solve Boredom

When pets don’t have enough ways to engage their natural instincts to run, play, or hunt, they get restless. Left untreated, this can turn into anxiety and depression. Dogs and cats need stimulation from exercise, attention, other fur friends, chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, and opportunities to explore.

Be sure to have plenty of toys available around the house for your pets, especially the toys they love the most. Consider toys that are engaging like puzzle toys or even simply adding a few treats to a pet-safe household item (egg carton, bottle, or container).
Low-calorie treats like our Redbarn Protein Puffs for dogs and cats are a great high-protein option to give your pet the fuel they need to play, without packing on pounds. These puffs are perfect for enhancing games and puzzles.
Scratching posts are especially important for cats, along with areas where they can climb and windows for perching to see the outside world. For dogs, activity posts and agility obstacle courses are fun ways to keep them busy while inside.
It’s important to get your pet up and moving! Increasing playtime, even if it’s an extra 10-minutes a day can make a huge difference.
Consider fun activities that get them running and tired from all of the play, like using laser toys, balls, or plushies for fetching or even setting up a few playdates to get their fur friends involved.
Avoid punishing your dog or cat when they’re acting out, as this could lead to feelings of fear and anxiety.

If you’ve tried several options and your pet is still showing signs of boredom, consult your veterinarian as there may be another underlying issue.

Why Does My Cat Drink So Much Water?

Do you have a cat who drinks a lot of water? How much is too much water for a cat to drink regularly? Is there something wrong with your cat, or should you be worried about this behavior?

Many times, cats have the opposite issue: they do not drink enough water. If your cat is drinking a lot of water and you find yourself worrying about them, it may be time to see a vet. Drinking too much water can be an indicator of a variety of underlying health problems, which we will outline in more detail through the article below.

High Temperatures

When the weather turns hot outdoors, it’s not uncommon for cats to feel this change indoors, too. Even if you keep your home cool and air conditioned, your pet will be hotter on a warm day, just like you are. When cats become too hot, they drink more water to help stay cool.

If your cat’s excess water intake only occurs on very hot days, or if the problem only lasts a day or two, it’s safe to assume there’s nothing to worry about. Pay close attention, however, for any signs that your cat is still drinking too much water after a couple of days.

Salty Food or Treats

If you feed your cat a lot of human food, or if you provide a lot of treats throughout the day, they may have too much sodium in their diet. Cats who eat too much salty food are likely to drink excess water, just like humans who have too much salt in their diet may do the same.

If your cat has salty food or treats every once in a while, this is nothing to worry about. However, if you give your cat salty food often, you should cut back. It is not healthy or safe for cats to have too much salt in their everyday diets.

Fever

Cats who are suffering from a fever due to any underlying cause may drink more water to help cool down and reduce the risk of dehydration. Cats who have mild fevers may be able to stop themselves from becoming dehydrated; however, if your cat’s fever is high, they need to go to the veterinarian right away.

Fevers are usually indicative of other health problems in cats. Your vet will need to diagnose your cat’s health condition and help you figure out the best treatment or management options moving forward.

Upset Stomach

If your cat has an upset stomach that is causing them to have diarrhea or vomiting as a secondary symptom, they will probably drink more water to make up for the fluids lost during this time. Cats who are sick for only a day or two can usually replenish their own fluids, but if your cat is having vomiting or diarrhea symptoms for more than a couple of days, they should see a vet.

The longer a cat goes without having enough fluids in their body, the easier it becomes for them to grow dangerously dehydrated.

Kidney or Liver Failure

If a cat goes into kidney failure or liver failure, they will likely start drinking more water to make up for the lack of functionality from these important organs. Kidney and liver failure are typically eventually fatal, but these conditions can be managed for some time with the help of a veterinarian.

If your cat is suffering from any type of organ failure, or if you suspect that they might be, take your cat to the vet right away. The sooner you figure out a plan of action, the better off your pet will be.

Diabetes

Perhaps the most common cause of excess water intake in cats is diabetes. Cats are prone to diabetes, especially if they are allowed to free feed without having their food amount monitored by their pet parents. A cat who becomes sick with diabetes is likely to show symptoms including increased water intake and increased urination.

Cats with diabetes may also lose weight quickly, or they might be significantly overweight. The sicker the cat becomes, the more lethargic they may appear. Take your cat to the vet at the first sign of diabetes to either come up with a management plan or rule out this serious health condition.

Talk to a Vet About Your Cat

If you find your cat is drinking too much water and the condition doesn’t clear up in a day or two, this may mean it’s time to see a vet. If your cat’s excess water drinking only happens for one or two days, it could be associated with a benign cause, such as a high temperature outside.

It’s up to you to consider the possibilities and think about the potential causes of your cat’s excess water intake. Check your cat carefully for other signs and symptoms that could point to the underlying problem as well.

Book an appointment online at Boston Veterinary Clinic to talk with a vet about why your cat is drinking so much water.