Do Cats Sleep More in Winter? What Owners Need to Know

If you have cats, you may have noticed something. They sleep a lot.

You may also have noted that they can sleep even more in winter than in summer. Or do they?

Do cats sleep more in winter? It certainly seems that way, and as this article will explore, there may be good reasons for that.

On average, a cat will sleep between 12 and 16 hours daily. That’s perfectly normal for a cat, which is described as following a crepuscular behavior pattern (active before sunrise and just after sunset).

Cats and Sleeping: What is Normal?

Cats are usually fairly good at self-care in colder weather. They will find warm spaces when required to help them keep warm.

What Happens to Cats in Winter?

Lots of factors go into whether a cat will sleep more. Some of it has to do with the colder temperatures, and some of it may have to do with fewer daylight hours available.

Do Cats Sleep More in Winter?

Some studies even suggest cats sleep less deeply in the cold, requiring them to rest more overall. The amount of sleep itself is not necessarily an indicator of a problem. Like humans, sometimes cats prefer to stay still and keep warm in cold weather.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s far more useful to look at a broader picture when it comes to how your cat’s behavior changes in winter.

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