Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? Normal Hours, Causes & What To Do

Why cats do this (common reasons)

Cats evolved as crepuscular hunters, meaning they're most active at dawn and dusk. This natural rhythm leads them to rest during much of the day and night. A typical healthy adult cat spends 12 to 16 hours sleeping, spread across numerous short naps rather than one long stretch.

Indoor cats without access to hunting opportunities often sleep even more since they expend less energy. Temporary increases in sleep can result from weather shifts, understimulation, mild stress, or simply recovering from an unusually active period. The key concern isn't the total hours—it's whether increased sleep accompanies changes in eating, drinking, grooming habits, or interaction with you.

What you can do (step-by-step)

When your cat seems healthy otherwise, focus on optimizing their daily routine and observing patterns before assuming something is wrong.

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   Step 1: Verify the essentials—fresh food, clean water, a tidy litter box, and a comfortable resting spot away from drafts or excess heat.
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   Step 2: Schedule 2–3 interactive play sessions each day lasting 5–10 minutes, ideally before meals to mimic the hunt-then-eat cycle.
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   Step 3: Provide mental stimulation through puzzle feeders, a window perch for watching birds, or rotating toys to prevent boredom.
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   Step 4: Keep a simple log for 24–48 hours noting sleep duration, appetite, litter box output, and overall energy.

What NOT to do

Never force a lethargic or potentially unwell cat to play or move around. Pushing activity on a sick cat adds stress and can make underlying issues worse.

Resist the urge to overhaul everything simultaneously—switching food, changing litter brands, and rearranging furniture all at once makes it impossible to identify what might be causing a problem. Make one change at a time and observe the results.

When to call a vet (red flags)

The most telling warning sign is a sudden shift from your cat's established patterns. If your cat is sleeping significantly more than usual and any of the following symptoms appear, contact your veterinarian promptly.

• • Loss of appetite, refusing water, or showing signs of dehydration (skin tenting, dry gums)
• • Repeated vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing
• • Sudden weakness, inability to stand, collapse, or noticeably pale gums
• • Straining, crying, or spending excessive time in the litter box

If kitten / senior / anxious cat

Kittens require more sleep than adults—sometimes up to 20 hours—because sleep supports their rapid growth and brain development. However, during waking hours, a healthy kitten should eat eagerly and play with bursts of energy.

Senior cats naturally slow down and may sleep longer as part of normal aging. Even so, any abrupt change in an older cat's sleep habits warrants a veterinary checkup to rule out age-related conditions.

Anxious cats often cope with stress by withdrawing and sleeping more. Common triggers include houseguests, a recent move, construction noise, or introducing a new pet. If hiding and oversleeping persist beyond a few days, consider ways to reduce environmental stressors.