Why Is My Cat Sleeping So Much? What Is Normal and When to Worry
Why is my cat sleeping so much? Most adult cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day. A vet explains normal sleep by age, why cats sleep so much, and the warning signs, like not eating, that mean see the vet.
Petful is reader supported. As an affiliate of platforms like Amazon and Chewy, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. There is no extra cost to you.
"Why is my cat sleeping so much?" is one of the questions I hear most often during wellness exams. Some owners ask it with a laugh ("she has it made"), and some ask it with real worry because their cat seems to be napping the day away. Both reactions make sense, because a healthy adult cat sleeps about 12 to 16 hours a day, roughly twice as much as we do.
So in most cases, a cat that sleeps a lot is simply being a cat. What matters is not the total number of hours but whether your cat's own pattern has changed. This guide covers how much sleep is normal at each age, why cats sleep so much, the everyday reasons sleep increases, and the warning signs, illnesses and urgent symptoms that mean it is time to call your vet.
Sign up for expert-backed reviews and safety alerts all in one place.
How many hours do cats sleep? Normal sleep by age
- 1Most healthy adult cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day; kittens and senior cats often sleep 18 to 20.
- 2Cats sleep so much because they are crepuscular hunters built to save energy for short bursts of activity at dawn and dusk.
- 3A sudden change from your cat's usual pattern matters far more than the total hours.
- 4Extra sleep plus not eating, hiding, vomiting, weight change or drinking more is a reason to see the vet.
How many hours a day do cats sleep? It depends mostly on age. Kittens sleep the most, healthy adults settle into a steady routine, and older cats gradually sleep more again. Here is what is typical, and the change that should make you call the vet:
| Life stage | Typical sleep per day | What is normal | Call the vet if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn kittens (0 to 4 weeks) | Up to 20 to 22 hours | Sleep between feeds, twitching often during sleep | A kitten will not nurse or feels cold |
| Kittens (2 to 6 months) | 16 to 20 hours | Deep naps between wild bursts of play | A kitten wakes but will not play or eat |
| Young adult cats (1 to 6 years) | 12 to 16 hours | Naps by day, busy at dawn and dusk | Your cat skips its usual morning routine |
| Mature cats (7 to 10 years) | 14 to 16 hours | Slightly longer naps, still alert when awake | Sleep rises along with weight change or thirst |
| Senior cats (over 10 years) | 16 to 20 hours | Short wake periods to eat, groom and seek attention | Senior cats stop grooming, hide or lose weight |
Do kittens sleep more than adult cats? Yes. Growth hormone is released during sleep, so a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 month old kitten that crashes after a play session is doing exactly what a young cat should. If you are wondering why your young cat is sleeping so much, the test is what happens when it wakes up: a healthy kitten wakes bright, hungry and ready to pounce.
Why is my older cat sleeping so much? Older cats sleep more as their metabolism slows and as age-related problems such as arthritis make moving around less appealing. An old cat sleeping more is expected, but an old cat that also stops eating, grooming or urinating normally needs a checkup.
A 20-inch heated bed with a removable hood. A sheltered indoor sleeping shape for cats that choose covered resting spots.
Petful may earn a commission when you click through to Chewy, at no extra cost to you.
How many hours do cats sleep compared to dogs? Adult dogs typically sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, so cats usually sleep a few hours more. Dogs evolved as social, more daytime animals, while cats evolved as solitary hunters that rest whenever they are not stalking prey.
Why do cats sleep so much?
Why do cats sleep so much? The short answer is that cats are built to hunt, and hunting takes a lot of energy. A wild cat stalks, sprints and pounces in short, intense bursts, then rests to recover and save energy for the next hunt. Your house cat gets its meals from a bowl, but it still runs on the same energy-saving program.
Petful may earn a commission when you click through to Chewy, at no extra cost to you.
That is also the answer to a broader question owners ask: why do animals sleep so much? Predators that eat calorie-rich meals and spend energy in bursts, like cats and lions, can afford long rest periods. Grazing animals that need to eat for many hours a day and watch for predators, like horses, sleep far less.
House cats are also less active than their wild relatives. A 2011 study of free-roaming domestic cats by Horn and colleagues in the Journal of Wildlife Management found that feral cats spent about 14 percent of their time running or hunting, while owned pet cats spent only about 3 percent. With food provided, there is simply less reason to stay awake. Here are the main reasons cats sleep so much:
- Crepuscular rhythm: Cats are not truly nocturnal. They are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey is moving. That is why your cat may wake you at sunrise, then nap through the middle of the day.
- Energy conservation: Short bursts of hunting or play burn a lot of energy, and long naps refill the tank.
- Light, alert napping: Much of a cat's sleep is light dozing, so a "16 hour" day includes plenty of time resting with one ear still listening.
- A calm, safe home: A cat that feels safe, warm and well fed has no reason to stay on guard.
Does sex, breed or a new home change this? A male cat and a female cat sleep about the same amount once they are spayed or neutered. Calm, heavy breeds such as the Persian and Ragdoll often seem sleepier than busy breeds like the Bengal or Abyssinian, but individual personality matters more than breed. And a new cat sleeping a lot in its first days home is often recovering from the stress of the move; it should grow more curious and active within a week or two.
Cat sleep vs. rest vs. deep sleep
Not every closed-eye moment is deep sleep. Cats move between three states, and knowing them makes it easier to judge whether your cat is sleeping too much:
- Resting: Eyes half open or closed, body loaf-shaped or curled, ears still turning toward sounds. Your cat is awake enough to react instantly.
- Light sleep: Most cat naps are light sleep that lasts roughly 15 to 30 minutes. Muscles stay partly tense, and the cat often sleeps in a position that allows a quick getaway.
- Deep sleep (REM sleep): Periods of deep sleep last a few minutes at a time. The body goes limp, and you may see whiskers, paws and eyes twitch. Pioneering sleep research in cats by the French scientist Michel Jouvet in the 1950s and 1960s helped map REM sleep. If you are curious what happens during those twitches, our article on what cats dream about explains the research.
Do cats sleep 90% of the time? No. Even the sleepiest healthy adult cat sleeps around two thirds of the day, not 90 percent. The number feels higher because cats spend many waking hours resting quietly, grooming or watching the window, which can look like sleep from across the room.
A healthy cat in light sleep or resting wakes quickly when you call its name or shake the treat bag. That responsiveness is one of the best clues you have at home.
Weather, seasons and boredom: everyday reasons cats sleep more
Plenty of changes in sleep have nothing to do with illness. Before you worry, consider these everyday causes:
- Cold weather: Cats conserve body heat by curling up and sleeping more when it is cold.
- Rainy or gray days: Many cats sleep more on dark, stormy days, just as people feel sluggish.
- Shorter daylight: Changes in daylight shift a cat's internal clock, so sleep patterns change with the seasons.
- Boredom: An indoor cat with nothing to do will often sleep to pass the time.
- Pregnancy: A pregnant cat sleeps more, especially in the last few weeks.
- Recent surgery: A cat sleeping so much after neutering or spaying is usually still recovering from anesthesia.
Why do cats sleep more in the winter? In winter, shorter days and colder rooms push cats to save energy and stay warm. You may notice your cat sleeping so much in winter, and following the sun from room to room, then perking up again in spring. That seasonal shift is normal as long as your cat still eats, plays and greets you as usual.
Warmth is a big part of where a cat chooses to sleep, and older or arthritic cats seek it out even more. A self-warming bed that reflects body heat, such as the K&H Self-Warming Hooded Cat Bed, gives a cold-natured cat a cozy spot without electricity. For a senior cat in a chilly house, a low-wattage heated bed is worth considering; our guide to heated cat beds compares safe options.
Boredom deserves a closer look, because it is the most fixable cause of extra sleep in indoor cats. A cat that sleeps all day and then races around at 3 a.m. is often a cat with too little to do while you are out. The enrichment section below covers simple ways to fix that.
Petful may earn a commission when you click through to Chewy, at no extra cost to you.
Why is my cat sleeping so much all of a sudden?
Why is my cat suddenly sleeping so much? A sudden change, rather than a slow seasonal shift, is the pattern that deserves attention. Cats are experts at hiding illness, and sleeping more is sometimes the first and only sign owners notice. In my own exam room, the cats I worry about are not the ones who sleep 16 hours; they are the ones whose owners say "he just isn't himself."
If your cat is sleeping so much more than usual, lately or even just today, ask yourself two questions:
- Has the daily routine changed? A cat that normally wakes you for breakfast, patrols the house or greets you at the door, and suddenly does not, is telling you something.
- Has the quality of waking changed? You know the difference between a bright-eyed "don't bother me, I'm napping" look and a dull, slow, "I don't feel well" look. A cat that is hard to rouse, wobbly or uninterested when awake is not just tired.
- Call your vet if increased sleep comes with any of these: hiding or avoiding the family, not eating or eating much less, vomiting or diarrhea, weight loss or weight gain, drinking or urinating more, a dull or unkempt coat, limping or not jumping, bad breath or drooling, or changes in urination or stool habits.
What if your cat is sleeping a lot but still eating? That is reassuring, but not a full all-clear. A cat sleeping a lot but still eating normally, grooming and urinating normally is most likely fine, especially in cold weather. An old cat sleeping a lot but still eating, or a male cat sleeping a lot but still eating, can still have early kidney disease, arthritis or high blood pressure, so a checkup is wise if the change lasts more than a week or two.
If your cat is sleeping more than usual and not playing, try a favorite toy at its usual active time, around dawn or dusk. A cat that ignores a toy it normally loves, for more than a day or two, should see the vet.
Is it normal for my 17-year-old cat to sleep a lot? Yes. A 17-year-old cat is the equivalent of a person in their mid-80s, and sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day is common at that age. Watch instead for weight loss, poor appetite, more thirst, house-soiling or confusion at night, which point to illness rather than age. Our guide on how to tell if your cat is sick covers the subtle signs in more detail.
Cat sleeping a lot and not eating
Why is my cat sleeping so much and not eating? This combination is the clearest red flag in this article. A cat that sleeps more and also refuses food is almost always unwell, whether from pain, nausea, fever, dental disease or an internal illness.
Do not wait it out. Cats that stop eating for more than a day or two, especially overweight cats, can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), a serious condition in which the body breaks down fat faster than the liver can process it. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that hepatic lipidosis typically follows a period of poor appetite, and it can be fatal without treatment.
How quickly to act depends on the cat:
- Kittens: A kitten not eating and sleeping a lot can develop low blood sugar within hours. Call your vet the same day.
- Adult cats: If your cat is sleeping more than usual and not eating for 24 hours, call your vet.
- Senior cats: An old cat not eating and sleeping a lot may have kidney disease, dental pain or another chronic problem. Call within 24 hours, sooner if your cat is also vomiting or hiding.
WebVet's guide to a cat not eating and lethargic walks through the common causes and what to expect at the clinic.
Health problems that make a cat sleep more
Many illnesses make cats sleep more, because the body slows down to fight disease or because the cat feels too unwell to move. The table below lists the most common causes and the companion signs you can watch for at home:
A free-falling stream fountain that gives counter-surfing cats a moving water source of their own at floor level.
Petful may earn a commission when you click through to Chewy, at no extra cost to you.
| Condition | Why it causes more sleep | Signs to watch for at home |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic kidney disease | Toxins build up and cause nausea and anemia | Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, vomiting |
| Diabetes mellitus | Cells cannot use sugar for energy | Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss despite a big appetite, weak back legs |
| Anemia | Less oxygen reaches the tissues | Pale gums, weakness, fast breathing |
| Pain, including arthritis | Moving hurts, so the cat rests | Not jumping, stiffness, grooming less, house-soiling |
| Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) | Weakened immunity and chronic infection | Fever, recurring infections, gum inflammation, weight loss |
| Dental disease | Mouth pain makes eating and activity unpleasant | Bad breath, drooling, dropping food |
| Upper respiratory infection | Fever and a blocked nose dull appetite and energy | Sneezing, eye or nose discharge |
| Heart disease | Reduced circulation causes fatigue | Fast or labored breathing, sudden back-leg weakness |
| Stress or depression | Low mood after a loss, move or change | Hiding, less interest in food and play |
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common reasons an older cat sleeps more, and early signs are easy to miss. Our guide to cat kidney failure explains the stages and comfort care. Diabetes is another; if your sleepy cat is drinking more and losing weight, read our guide to owning a diabetic cat before your vet visit.
Because kidney disease and diabetes both make cats drink more, and because many cats drink too little, keeping fresh water appealing matters. Some cats drink more from moving water, and a quiet steel fountain such as the Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain is easy to keep clean. A fountain will not treat illness, but it can make it easier for a cat with kidney disease to stay hydrated.
What about hyperthyroidism? It is usually the reverse. An overactive thyroid speeds up metabolism, so most hyperthyroid cats are restless, hungry and losing weight, and they may yowl at night rather than sleep more. A small minority of hyperthyroid cats are the opposite: weak, quiet and sleepy. WebVet's overview of hyperthyroidism in cats covers both forms. Other causes that often show up first as extra sleep include:
- Pain and arthritis: Cats rarely cry out in pain, and arthritis is extremely common in older cats; one radiograph study found signs of degenerative joint disease in about 90 percent of cats over 12 years old. If your cat sleeps more and has stopped jumping onto the bed or counter, see WebVet's guide on how to tell if a cat is in pain and our cat arthritis signs guide.
- Viral infections: Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus may sleep more during flare-ups of infection or fever.
- Emotional causes: Grief, a move or a new pet can lead to feline depression, which often looks like sleeping more and playing less.
What the vet will check
Knowing what to expect makes the visit less stressful. Your vet will start with questions about how long your cat has been sleeping more and what else has changed, so jot down appetite, thirst, urination and weight changes before you go. Then expect some or all of the following:
- A full physical exam: Weight, temperature, heart and lungs, mouth and teeth, a feel of the abdomen and kidneys, and a check of the joints.
- Bloodwork: A complete blood count to look for anemia or infection, and a chemistry panel to check kidney function, liver function and blood sugar.
- Thyroid test (total T4): Standard for cats over about 7 to 8 years old.
- Urinalysis: Shows how well the kidneys concentrate urine and screens for diabetes and infection.
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure is common in older cats with kidney or thyroid disease.
- FeLV and FIV test: Especially for cats that go outdoors or have unknown history.
- Imaging: X-rays or ultrasound if pain, heart disease or an abdominal problem is suspected.
For senior cats, the AAHA and American Association of Feline Practitioners senior care guidelines recommend checkups at least every 6 months, because many of these problems are easier to manage when caught early.
How to keep a sleepy cat active and engaged
If your vet finds nothing wrong, boredom is often the reason a healthy indoor cat sleeps all day. The American Association of Feline Practitioners' environmental needs guidelines call for daily play and predatory behavior, and environmental enrichment is the simplest way to give your cat that.
Try these changes:
- Short play sessions: Two or three 10 to 15 minute sessions a day, timed for dawn and dusk when your cat is naturally active. A feather wand toy like the Frisco Bird with Feathers Teaser Wand lets your cat stalk, chase and pounce.
- End play with food: Finish each session with a small meal or treat so your cat completes the hunt, catch and eat sequence.
- Food puzzles: Make meals a little work. A simple puzzle toy such as the Catit Play Treat Puzzle slows eating and adds mental exercise; our article on food puzzles for cats explains how to start.
- Vertical space: Cats like to climb and survey their territory. A sturdy cat tree near a window adds exercise and a safe lookout.
- A window view: Birds and squirrels outside are free entertainment. A cat window perch gives your cat a comfortable seat for watching.
- Rotate toys: Put toys away and bring out a different set every few days so they stay novel. Our picks of interactive cat toys are a good starting point.
Expect your cat to still sleep a lot after these changes. The goal is not fewer hours of sleep but a brighter, more engaged cat during waking hours, and less 3 a.m. zooming.
When to take a sleepy cat to the vet urgently
Most changes in sleep warrant a call within a day or two. Some signs, though, mean your cat needs a vet or emergency clinic right away.
- Seek emergency care if your cat is limp or cannot be woken normally, has trouble breathing or is breathing with its mouth open, collapses or has a seizure, strains to urinate with little or no urine (especially a male cat), has pale, white or yellow gums, vomits repeatedly, suddenly cannot use its back legs, feels cold to the touch, or may have eaten a toxin such as lilies or human medication.
A male cat that sleeps more and keeps straining without producing urine may have a urethral blockage, which can be fatal within a day or two. Never wait to see if that one improves.
When in doubt, call. Your vet would much rather hear from you about a cat that turns out to be fine than see a cat that waited too long.
Cat sleep FAQs
Cats usually sleep more. A healthy adult cat sleeps about 12 to 16 hours a day, while most adult dogs sleep around 12 to 14 hours. Puppies, kittens and senior pets of both species sleep more than young adults.
General anesthesia and the healing process make cats sleepy for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Call your vet if your cat is still very drowsy after two days, will not eat, or the incision looks swollen or is leaking.
Pregnancy takes a lot of energy, so pregnant cats sleep more, especially in the final weeks. Near the end, she may also start nesting in quiet, hidden spots. A pregnant cat that stops eating or seems weak needs a vet check.
Not necessarily. Kittens and senior cats often sleep 20 hours a day. What matters is your cat's baseline: if a cat that used to sleep 14 hours now sleeps 20, or seems dull when awake, have your vet take a look.
You do not need to wake a healthy sleeping cat, but gently waking a cat you are worried about is a useful check. A healthy cat wakes quickly and is alert and responsive; a cat that is hard to rouse, confused or weak needs a vet.
Often, yes. Indoor cats have fewer things to hunt and explore, so boredom leads to extra naps. Daily play, food puzzles and a window view help indoor cats stay active without changing how much they need to sleep.
VMD
Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD, is a small animal and exotics veterinarian who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lichtenberg also trained at the Philadelphia Zoo. She now practices in the New York City area and lives in the West Village with her husband and her rescued pets, Cocoa and OG. Dr. Lichtenberg has been writing for Petful for many years, and she has been recognized with Certificates of Excellence from both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association of America.
Sign up for expert-backed reviews and safety alerts all in one place.
