Why is my Cat Peeing on my Carpet?
November 1, 2024
The first time I noticed my cat sleeping more than usual, I didn’t give it any importance. After all, cats love their naps, and I thought it was just something. But as the days turned into weeks, it dawned upon me that things were not going well.
A few weeks later, however, I turned and found my once hyperactive and playful 5-year-old cat curled up on her pillow and hardly moving, even when I tried to engage her with toys.
Concerned, I started looking into why my cat was sleeping so much and whether it was something I should worry about. I was fortunate to have a pet specialist in my home and have done enough reading to understand that although cats tend to sleep a great deal, any changes in these patterns may indicate problems.
By adjusting her diet, increasing her activity levels, and keeping a close eye on her health, I was able to help her get back to a more normal routine.
In this guide, I will explain my conclusions on this subject, including why and how much cats sleep, when you should become concerned, and what actions you can take to ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
Normal Sleeping Habits of Cats
People know cats like to sleep, and it is not uncommon for them to sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day. However, there are differences in sleep between cats and humans. Most of us sleep for long periods, but cats are crepuscular in nature, as they are more active during dawn and dusk.
Once a cat becomes an adult, it is typical to find itself between light dozing and full sleep at different times during the day. During these light naps, cats can take short but light naps with their heads turned and necks arched so that they do not lose consciousness.
Such deep sleep, which is actual resting, only occurs for a few minutes, allowing them to recharge while staying vigilant.
Other aspects that need consideration when it comes to how long cats can sleep include their ages, breeds, and individual personalities. In other words, though adult cats take long, necessary naps, kittens and older cats will take even longer due to growth and the need for extra rest.
Other specific cat breeds also tend to sleep a fair amount, and factors like environment, lifestyle, and diet influence their sleep.
It’s important to know your cat’s sleep schedule so that when changes occur, it is easier to determine whether or not there is a problem.
Common Causes of Excessive Sleep in Cats
Weather and Seasonal Changes
Cats, like people, suffer from the weather. Cats will want to sleep much more than usual during cold weather, rainy days, or winter months when there is less daylight. This additional sleep is mostly a result of the fact that the kittens get the urge to remain dormant in the warmer seasons. For instance, you would find your cat more laid back or sleeping for longer hours on exceptionally cold days.
Diet and Energy Levels
Cats are obligate carnivores and thus consume a protein-rich diet. Because of their meals’ rich and energy-dense nature, they do not require constant feeding or grazing as herbivores do. Their diet has this high protein value, encouraging very long sleeping periods to conserve energy. You might notice your cat becoming more lethargic or sleeping longer on chilly days.
Environment and Activity Levels
If your cat stays indoors for too long with no activity, it may commence sleeping out of sheer boredom.
Cats are social creatures or at least very active ones, and they have a strong need for mental and physical stimulation, and the absence of it may cause them to sleep more.
Toys, play with other pets, or even outdoor activities can greatly improve their activity levels and general health.
Age and Health
Following age, certain kittens require a change in sleeping hours. More sleep due to less activity is required for senior cats as their metabolic rate goes down, and/health issues come with old age. Senior cats might also use this energy-efficient activity to relieve their discomforts, such as physical exhaustion and joint pains.
Recognizing When Sleep Becomes a Concern
Sudden Increase in Sleep
A gradual increase in sleep might be related to factors such as age. Still, if it transpires rapidly and your cat appears unresponsive or lethargic, this could signify an underlying health issue. Conditions like infections, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism may cause your cat to slumber excessively.
Changes in Behavior Accompanying Sleep
In addition to sleeping more, if you detect your cat acting differently when awake, such as being less reactive, avoiding nourishment, or hiding, it’s time to seek advice from your vet.
Cats are notorious for hiding their discomfort, so behavioral changes alongside excessive sleep are an early sign that something might be wrong.
Age-Related Sleep Patterns
As cats age, their rest patterns modify. Older cats may sleep more as they form arthritis or experience other age-related difficulties. While this is usually typical, a sudden shift in their routine might still be worthwhile discussing with your vet to eliminate other concerns.
Excessive Sleep in Kittens
Kittens, conversely, sleep significantly to back their rapid development. However, if your kitten appears excessively tired and is not engaging in play or eating properly, it could indicate an illness that requires attention.
Monitor for Other Symptoms
If excessive sleep is accompanied by other signs like vomiting, diarrhea, weight reduction, or variations in litter box behavior, these could signify a more severe health problem. Pay attention to these indicators, as they can help your vet form an accurate diagnosis.
While numerous cases of increased sleep are perfectly ordinary, it’s always preferable to be cautious and seek advice from your vet if you have worries. Recognizing these early signals can prevent larger health issues from developing.
Link Between Sleep and Appetite Changes
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Sleep Changes | Refers to variations in the amount and quality of sleep a cat experiences, often influenced by factors such as environmental stressors, health issues, or age. |
| Appetite Changes | Involves fluctuations in a cat's eating habits, which can increase or decrease depending on factors like stress, health status, or changes in routine. |
If your cat is sleeping more and eating less, there may be an underlying concern other than a shift in routine. While cats naturally sleep a lot, a decrease in food intake and excessive sleep could signify sickness or stress. Understanding how these behaviors are linked can assist you in taking the right action for your cat’s well-being.
Stress or Anxiety
Cats are sensitive animals, so any modifications in their environment—including a move, new pet, or redecorating furniture—can induce unease or anxiety. When cats feel stressed, they tend to withdraw into sleep to cope.
Simultaneously, their appetite may decline as they feel too worried to eat. If your cat is going through a major change in their environment or routine, offering comfort and steadiness is pivotal to aid readjustment.
Illness or Disease
When there is a sudden reduction in appetite along with an increased duration of sleep, it usually indicates a possibility of some illness.
Various diseases like gastroenteritis, renal failure, diabetes, or other infections can leave the cat out of energy and not eager for food.
If you realize your cat is usually quiet and has not eaten anything for over a day, you should see the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Pain or Discomfort
Cats in pain tend to sleep more because they are less likely to want or be able to stay active. Physical discomfort, such as mouth pain from dental issues or arthritis and internal discomfort, can also cause your cat to stop eating. Cats disguise pain beautifully, so it is essential to monitor them closely. A lazy cat, refusing food and keeping out of the way, may have an underlying physical problem.
Depression
Cats are prone to getting depressed, too, especially after a loss of some kind (death of another pet or home environment change in general). Cats suffering from depression could rest extra, revealing less hunger. Giving your emotional support, routine, and stimulation will help, but it might take time.
When to See a Vet
If your cat stops eating and changes his sleep schedule for more than a day or two, contact a knowledgeable expert. However, longer periods of decreased eating and increased sleep can quickly result in liver disease (hepatic lipidosis), which is also fatal if not treated rapidly.
Understanding how your cat’s sleep and appetite relate to each other can help identify issues sooner so you can ultimately ensure that your cat stays healthy.
How Much Sleep Is Too Much for a Cat?
As mentioned above cats are well known for their laziness on average a healthy adult cat spends up to 12-16 hours a day sleeping. But there are cases when the duration of sleep in a cat might cross the norms, drawing an alarm.
If your cat always sleeps more than 16 to 18 hours in a day, it might be something wonderful! Although an occasional long nap is ordinary, especially during the winter months or following considerable activity, it appears your pussycat has been sleeping far too much and regularly.
Pro tips: Another thing to consider is that some subtypes involve behavioral changes, including sleeping. If your cat is either lethargic while awake or avoids play and food, this might indicate an underlying health issue.
Cats are experts at hiding discomfort or illness, so a quick increase in the amount of time your cat sleeps throughout the day (especially combined with other behavioral changes) could be an early indicator. This is because of diseases such as infections, thyroid or even emotional disturbances like anxiety and depression.
Older cats sleep more. Aging slows metabolism, and old age causes them to play less. But, in the case of an older cat, even if that old body has always been slowing down a little more each day, you might want to investigate further why they are sleeping so much.
While your cat may become more sedentary as it ages (arthritis, kidney disease), these ailments are treatable and should receive veterinary attention. One of the keys to your cat’s happiness is keeping a close watch on its sleep habits and knowing just what’s normal for its particular age and condition.
Health Problems That Lead to Increased Sleep
Thyroid Problems
Hypothyroidism occurs when your cat’s thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, which slows the metabolism. This can ultimately cause tiredness, weight gain, and oversleeping. If you notice other symptoms, such as fur loss or lethargy, then perhaps a veterinary visit and thyroid check are in order.
Obesity
It is often the case that overweight cats are less active and thus sleep more. Being overweight not only decreases energy levels but also raises the risk of other health conditions like diabetes.You could also try adding more interactive play to their day-to-day routine.
If you notice that your cat is piling on the pounds and appears reluctant to start moving, then it may be time to look at their food again.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease—especially in older cats, kidney disease may cause fatigue and more rest. Additionally, kidney issues in a cat usually manifest through weight loss combined with increased thirst and changes in how frequently the cat is peeing.
If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, in addition to getting more sleep than usual, make sure you get a diagnosis and treatment plan from his vet.
Infections and Pain
Cats who are sick from an infection or painful due to injury have good reasons to sleep. They either need the rest to conserve energy in fighting their illness or just don’t want to be awake (e.g. because pain is very distracting).
Infections can cause lethargy, and physical ailments may hurt too much for your cat to even want to walk. Look out for other warning signs like discharge, vomiting, diarrhea or inability to walk properly, which may indicate something more serious.
My Solutions for Managing My Cat’s Sleep
The first time, I noticed that my cat began to sleep a lot. This may be common, and they normally do not have any problem, but I knew something was wrong when she slept all day without even eating anything. With a little troubleshooting and experimentation, I found some great strategies that helped me level out her sleep schedule and keep her more alert during the day.
I immediately changed her diet and feeding. However, I found that giving her a lot of food at once would have made her lay around later. I also saw that whenever I split her meals into smaller, more regular portions throughout the day, it helped stabilize her energy and prevent her from accidentally slipping deep down long naps after consuming them.
Along with her diet change, I focused on including more play in my day. I scheduled times to play with her, manning feather toys and the red dot that appears when I move my finger in front of a laser pointer so she would chase them. I also made a point to rotate her toys regularly. Play sessions with her are short but frequent, making her more active, and I realized she prefers not to sleep due to boredom.
I also started enhancing her environment. I placed cat trees and scratching posts near windows where she could watch birds and enjoy the sunlight. This gave her a mental focus, which cut down on naps due to boredom.
I also ensured she had regular veterinary check-ups. Cats, especially in old age, are prone to different health problems that may lead them to sleep more. Together, these approaches help to reduce her excessive sleep and maintain a higher level of activity, which is beneficial for her overall health.
Conclusion
Understanding your cat’s sleep patterns is essential for their overall health and well-being. While cats naturally sleep a lot, recognizing changes in their behavior and adjusting their environment, diet, and activity levels can help prevent excessive sleep due to boredom or health issues
Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to catching any underlying problems early, allowing you to address them before they become serious.
By staying mindful of your cat’s habits and providing the right balance of stimulation and rest, you can ensure that your cat’s life is happy and healthy.
Always pay attention to sudden changes in sleep or behaviour, as these can be early indicators of a problem that requires attention. A proactive approach will ensure that your cat stays active, healthy, and content.
FAQ SECTION
The cat might be sleeping more due to environmental changes, seasonal patterns, or health-related issues like obesity and thyroid problems.
I was told that cats naturally sleep a lot. However, observe their actions alongside. If your cat is lethargic, not eating, or not being its usual self, then visit the vet.
Excessive sleep is normal for cats, but sudden changes in sleep behavior should be a red flag.
Similarly, if your cat is sleeping over 18-20 hours a day, then that means something is up, and you should ask the vet about it. See your vet, particularly if other changes in behaviour coincide with excessive sleep.
