9 reasons cat sleeps longer than usual

 Cats are naturally given to sleep. On average, a grown cat will sleep 12-16 hours a day. For kittens and older cats, the amount of sleep is greater, with adult cats sleeping around 20 hours a day. 

It has been estimated that the average cat spends two-thirds of his entire life sleeping. This not withstanding, if you notice any change in your cat's sleeping pattern, such as him sleeping more than he normally would, you might suspect something is wrong. 

Your suspicions should prompt you to seek medical assistance because the cat might have become lethargic.

Like I have also done in one of my previous article about why dogs may sleep longer than usual, in this article, I want to raise your awareness of some of the possible reasons why your cat may be sleeping longer than usual

1. Boredom. An experience of boredom can lead to a cat spending longer hours dozing. In this case, the cat sleeps longer than its natural 12-16 hours. One of the biggest things that causes a cat to feel bored is being left alone without human presence. You can keep your cats from becoming bored if they are alone by creating an environment that allows them to be active, such as by providing play toys and scratch posts and by spending as little time with them as possible.

2. Age. As a cat ages, its sleeping pattern changes. An aged cat sleeps anywhere from 18 to 20 hours per day, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have some active moments like when he needs to find food, prowl around or interact with human beings. The point is that during most parts of the day, the cat is napping, having become lazy with advancing years. If you feel concerned that your cat is becoming unnecessarily lethargic, you might want to see the vet as there might be some underlying health issues.

3. Obesity. One definite cause of an abnormal sleeping pattern in a cat is obesity. If your cat is obese, this can be caused by a lack of exercise and an imbalance in the diet. By feeding your cat a maximum of three to four times a day with nutrient based food and ensuring that he gets enough exercises, you are helping to keep him in shape. It is important that you do not to overfeed the cat as this will make him become overweight. If you plan to leave the cat alone most of the day, be sure to separate his food into three or four different feeders. This will ensure that the cat does not overfeed.

A sleeping cat

4. Depression. If your cat is constantly sleeping and shows other signs of depression, including loss of appetite, aggression, fear, avoidance, or other behaviour that are unusual, it is likely that he is having a clinical condition known as Feline depression. Feline depression can be the result of an underlying medical condition and it is essential to see a Vet if you notice a change in the cat's behaviour coupled with excessive sleeping.

5. Arthritis. When a cat is arthritic, movement becomes painful and inconvenient due to joint inflammation, so it prefers to stay in a comfortable place while sleeping.

6. Diabetes. When a cat is affected with diabetes, which is caused by an abundance of glucose in the blood, he can become lethargic. Other symptoms of diabetes are weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration. At this point, you should adjust your cat's diet to include foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Even better, take the cat to the veterinarian.

7. Weather. Another explanation for excessive sleeping among cats is the weather. During inactive periods like winter or rain, cats will tend to stay indoors sleeping more often.

8. Cat nap. While it might seem that your cat is sleeping longer than usual, it is actually having a cat nap. A cat nap isn't a deep sleep, but rather it a series of short naps that takes place periodically throughout the day which lasts somewhere between 15-30 minutes. While napping, cats store energy that allows them to live an active lifestyle.

9. Bacterial infections.  Infections can also be the reason why a cat is always asleep. Cats become lethargic when they pick up viruses and bacteria from eating contaminated foods, being bitten, or coming in contact with an infected animal. Other symptoms of bacterial infections include diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, and discharges from the nose and eyes. If you observe these symptoms in your cat, consult a veterinarian right away.