dreams, sleep stages and curiosity

Cat sleep has always been a source of fascination for those around them. While for some it just seems like proof that cats sleep all day, for others these moments of rest are full of mystery and excitement. If you live with a cat, you already know how theatrical he can be in his sleep: he turns over, makes small noises, moves his paws as if he is running in a dream, or suddenly jumps and looks around in confusion. All these gestures lead us to wonder what really happens in a cat’s mind when he sleeps.

How much does a cat sleep?

If you also have a cat at home, you will surely have noticed that it sleeps a lot. Sometimes even a lot. On average, an adult cat sleeps between 13 and 16 hours a day. And some cats can even reach 18-20 hours, especially if they are older or have had a more active day.

However, their sleep is not continuous. They alternate between short and frequent periods, distributed throughout the day and night. Unlike humans, who typically sleep for a long period of time, cats are what experts call “creatures of the twilight.” This means that they are most active at dawn and dusk and the rest of the time they recharge their batteries through frequent periods of sleep.

What are the sleep stages of cats?

As mentioned before, cat sleep is not uniform but is divided into several phases, and each phase has a well-defined role: some help the body to regenerate, others support brain activity and emotional balance.

In order for these phases to unfold harmoniously, the cat needs not only tranquility, but also a space of its own, a place where it feels safe, where it can fall asleep without worries. A soft, warm and well-positioned bed can give him a deep, intimate and quality sleep.

1. Light sleep

It is the most common form of sleep in cats. During this stage, cats appear sleepy, but are very responsive to noise or movement. The ears may twitch and the tail may show subtle signs of activity. Basically the body rests, but the brain remains half awake. This explains why a cat may appear to be completely asleep, but the moment you rustle a bag, it immediately jumps up.

2. Deep sleep (non-REM)

After the cat has passed the light sleep phase, in which it still reacts to the sounds or movements around it, a much quieter and more important phase follows, namely deep sleep. This is also known as non-REM sleep and is the time when the body completely relaxes and all the energy is directed towards restoring the body.

In this phase breathing becomes slow and regular and the muscles relax for a while. He can lie completely on his side with his legs relaxed, or curl up comfortably without any trace of tension in his body.

Why is this type of sleep so important? Because during it vital processes take place: cells regenerate, any muscle or skin micro-lesions are healed, the immune system is strengthened and the brain begins to process the day’s information. In growing puppies and cats, deep sleep contributes to the harmonious development of the body and nervous system.

3. REM sleep

This is the most interesting part of sleep and the one that raises the most questions. REM stands for “Rapid Eye Movement”, which is the rapid movement of the eyes under the eyelids. It is the phase in which, most likely, cats… dream.

During REM sleep, you will notice the cat’s eyes moving under the eyelids, whiskers fluttering slightly, paws moving involuntarily or making small sounds. All these are clear signs that his mind is active. While we can’t know exactly what a cat dreams about, experts agree that animals recreate fragments of their daily reality during sleep. Maybe they dream about how they hunt, how they play, how they hide, or how they ask you for food.

Why it is important not to disturb a sleeping cat

It may seem trivial, but suddenly waking up from a deep sleep can be unpleasant for any cat. Not only are you interrupting a vital recovery process for them, but they may also become disoriented or irritated. Especially if they were in REM sleep, when they were intensely experiencing a dream sequence, a sudden awakening can generate a defensive reaction: an angry meow, a raised paw or a frightened run.
If you need to wake her up, do it gently: say her name in a calm tone, touch her lightly and wait a few seconds until she notices your presence.

Curiosities about cat sleep. Did you know?

• Do cats dream more than dogs? Although dogs also have REM sleep, in cats this phase is more intense and more frequent.
• The positions cats sleep in say a lot. If a cat sleeps curled up it means it wants to stay warm. If she is lying on her side with her belly up, it is a sign that she feels completely safe.
• Cats dream more intensely when they are little. During the growth period, their brain develops rapidly and REM sleep takes up a significant portion of sleep time.
• Cats that sleep on you consider you a safe place. The warmth of your body, the familiar smell, and the beating of your heart calm them.
• Some cats have a sleep schedule that is synchronized with that of their owners. If they live in a stable and predictable environment, they adapt their sleep periods to the routine of the house, they sleep when you sleep, they are more active when you are also awake.

Sources: