Do you have a kitty? If so, there’s a pretty good chance that your feline buddy is sleeping right now. Cats certainly are drowsy little furballs. In fact, cats sleep more than almost any other animal on the planet! Read on as a McHenry, IL vet discusses Fluffy’s sleeping habits.
Sleepy Kitties
Why do cats sleep so much? When Fluffy is a kitten, napping helps her grow, as the hormones that promote growth are released during sleep. And by the time your pet reaches her golden years, she will be an expert napper!
Fluffy’s Nap Schedule
Our feline friends are really creatures of habit. Fluffy may follow a strict schedule for morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, and evening naps, and will still curl up beside you when you go to bed.
Emergency Naps
Sometimes cats get very tired, and are forced to take unscheduled naps. Rainstorms, for instance, often call for extra sleep. Other things that can call for emergency naps are cold weather, late night snacks, and unexpected encounters with boxes, sunbeams, empty laps, and/or soft blankets.
Sunbathing
Many kitties love snoozing in sunbeams, especially in the morning. Although it’s probably safe to say that Fluffy does not actually run on solar power, putting a comfy cat bed in a sunny spot may very well earn you some extra purrs!
Dreams
Studies show that yes, kitties do dream, at least when they are in the deepest stage of sleep. No one knows exactly what they dream about, but it would be interesting to find out!
Dozing
Kitties aren’t always sound asleep during their naps. In fact, they actually spend most of their time just dozing. They can still hear what’s going on around them, even if they appear to be zonked out. That’s why Fluffy’s ears will move if you call her name while she’s napping.
Sleeping Spots
Cats are very talented sleepers. Fluffy can doze off almost anywhere! One of the best ways to pamper your sleepy furball is to make sure she has plenty of napping spots to snuggle up in. You can get pet beds in stores, or look online for cute DIY options. For instance, a hard shell suitcase can make a great kitty bed. Even folding up a soft blanket will work.
Please contact us, your McHenry, IL pet hospital, for all your drowsy pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!