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It’s hard in the colder, wetter and darker days of winter to not want to curl up inside in your comfies and snooze the days away. This goes for both cats and humans, but do cats actually sleep more in the winter?
We all know cats take their sleep very seriously, with most typical cats sleeping at least 13 hours a day. They don’t call it a cat nap for nothing. It is true that cats tend to sleep a little more than usual in winter, and that this can be put down to the natural decrease in daylight. Some cats may even reach up to 20 hours of snoozing a day in the wintertime, essentially a snooze marathon.
It’s our outdoor cats that tend to be most affected by the change in season. Those who are used to spending their hours adventuring outdoors will quickly change their minds on the colder, darker winter days. Cats are crepuscular – meaning they operate most at dawn and dusk. With winter these timings shift, so cats that spend more time outdoors will adjust along with the change in light, usually meaning more time indoors snoring.
Non-spayed female cats will also stop entering heat if there is less than 12 hours of daylight. Roaming outdoor cats that aren’t neutered are driven by reproducing, so when this isn’t an option in the winter, most cats look to catch up on sleep instead.
Our indoor cats, especially those that are neutered, tend to live their lives based on the patterns of their humans. If your behaviour doesn’t change in the winter, it’s unlikely your cats will either. But if you’re reaching for the heated blanket and catching some Z’s, don’t be surprised if your cat joins you for some extra hours on the sofa.
Cats will also choose to sleep more in the winter months to conserve energy, and some research even suggests that our more senior cats have reduced sleep quality during the colder seasons. Lower quality sleep will leave your cat feeling more lethargic, therefore requiring even more sleep to catch up with themselves!
Cats are big sleepers as it is, and if you notice them sleeping in a little longer during the winter then it shouldn’t be cause for concern, simply a natural reaction to the reduction of daylight. If you are concerned about your cat being much more sleepy than usual, there’s no harm in reaching out to your vet to put your mind at ease. For the most part though, we suggest grabbing a cup of hot chocolate, wearing your favourite snuggly pyjamas and joining them for forty winks in front of the fire.
