Why do cats sleep much? Why a cat does not eat well and sleeps a lot

Everyone knows that domestic cats like to sleep. In order to sleep, a typical cat needs a sleep lasting at least 16 hours a day, and some specimens even more. If you compare with a man, this pet sleeps most of his life. According to some sources, in terms of the amount of time spent in a dream, cats are outstripped only by opossums and bats. Until now, the reason why cats sleep much, is not fully understood. This physiological feature scientists explain a few possible causes, most of which are associated with the evolution of the animal.

Predation as a way of life

The nature of cats is arranged so that all of them, regardless of the species, have been and remain predatory animals. Domestic cats are also no exception. Nevertheless, at the present time, they have lost many features of behavior characteristic of predators that were acquired in the course of evolution.

As a predatory animal, the cat shows maximum activity during wakefulness of its prey, that is at dawn and sunset. The rest of the time she needs to sleep and restore strength, which explains exactly why cats sleep much. To lead a predatory lifestyle, the animal needs to accumulate as much energy as possible, which would ensure a successful outcome of the hunt. For this reason, in the course of evolutionary development, cats have the ability to accumulate a maximum of energy, in order to use it, if necessary, increasing the probability of successful completion of the hunt.

Features of food

Another explanation for why cats sleep much is the food of the animal. The fact is that, like a predator, a cat needs an increased intake of protein. To digest protein foods, you need a long sleep. In addition, such food is very nutritious, which allows cats to spend less time eating and sleeping more.

Drowsiness due to boredom

Why do cats often sleep? It is likely that pets like to sleep because they simply have nothing to do. Cats are quite curious animals, and they tend to get different impressions. Spending life in a house where the situation is practically unchanged, cats begin to experience boredom. Even if the owners are at home, they do not always have the time and the desire to entertain the pet. In order for the cat to sleep less, try to entertain it. However, do not forget that most of the time it should spend on a dream, because it is so laid by nature.

How cats sleep

Like people, sleep in cats is divided into 2 phases: deep and superficial.

Superficial sleep lasts from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. During this period, the cat keeps its body under control so that it can be jumped and run at any time or attack itself.

The duration of deep sleep, as a rule, is about 5 minutes, and the cat can not get out quickly from such a state. The phase of deep sleep gives way to a nap, and this alternation continues until the animal wakes up.

If you count the time that goes to a deep sleep, it turns out that not so many cats sleep. In other words, most of the time cats spend half asleep.

Weather Effect

It's no secret that the weather directly affects the behavior of cats. Of course, their activity depends on many factors. This is the age, and the breed, and temperament, as well as the state of health. But the fact that the dull rainy weather explains why cats sleep much - this is a fact. In this case, you need to consider that cat's sleep should not exceed 80% of the time. For small kittens, the normal duration of sleep is up to 90% of the day. A longer sleep, as a rule, signals that the animal has a health problem.

Why is the cat sluggish and sleeping a lot?

Sluggishness and drowsiness are a sign of many diseases. Since the temperament of each cat is different, it is impossible to determine whether the animal is in a normal condition, no veterinarian can. Only the owner, who knows his pet well, can do this. The reason for the sluggishness can be quite natural. For example, it can be:

• fatigue;
• hot weather;
• Postoperative period;
• Taking certain medicines;
• pregnancy;
• The elderly age of the animal.

How to determine if the cat is sick

If your pet is ill, in most cases other symptoms will add to the lethargy and drowsiness. As a rule, the presence of the disease can be spoken on the basis of such signs:

• The animal hides from all;
• Eats little;
• Does not drink water;
• Does not take care of the coat;
• Aggressively behaves;
• Problems with breathing;
• Vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• fever;
• Pallor of the gums.

If you notice an inexplicable drowsiness and lethargy in the cat, which are accompanied by the above symptoms, you must show the animal to the veterinarian in the shortest possible time.

Probable diseases associated with excessive drowsiness

On Internet forums often discuss the topic "Why does a cat eat badly and sleep a lot?". As it turns out, often lack of appetite and constant drowsiness can be associated with infectious diseases, in particular worms. To ensure that the pet does not lose weight and is not sluggish, from time to time he needs to give anthelmintic drugs.

Drowsiness can also be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, this condition is accompanied by diarrhea and other abnormal discharge.

Renal failure is another no less common cause of loss of appetite and drowsiness of a cat. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable. If the animal is not taken to the doctor in the near future, the situation can end tragically. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help save a pet, so do not hesitate.

Also excessive drowsiness and refusal of food can talk about problems with the liver. In this case, it is necessary to pay a visit to a veterinarian who will prescribe a treatment aimed at cleansing the organ.

In addition, the cause of reduced activity of the pet can be pancreatic diseases, reproductive system, blood, hypothyroidism, diabetes, purulent endometritis, colds and others.

As you can see, the reasons why a cat eats little and sleeps a lot can be far from harmless. Therefore, if you suspect a disease, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian who can correctly diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment to your pet.