Many older cats have trouble or experience pain when attempting to get in or out of a litter box with high sides. Why do cats howl more when they get older? If your cat starts sleeping even more than usual this may indicate that there is a problem or that he is getting older. Deeply bonded cats become more affectionate, or even needy, to their people. Please see our article, Litter Box Problems , for additional suggestions and detailed information about resolving litter-box issues. Sensory changes, such as eyesight or hearing loss, can affect your cat’s depth of sleep. While most geriatric cats sleep more than they did in the days of their youth, if your senior cat is sleeping less, this may indicate she has a medical problem. When cats get older, you don’t want a great big tall litter box that’s hard for them to get in and out of. Usually when your cat is in the deep sleep phase, you will find him alone, tucked away in a place where he feels safe to let his defenses down for a long snooze. Cats sleep an average of fifteen hours a day, and some can sleep up to twenty hours in a twenty-four hour period. This includes any sleeping, from deep sleep to cat naps to dozing. Why do cats sleep so much? Show her that she is important to you. Few people want to admit that their beloved “kitten” is approaching her twilight years. Which raises the question: Why do cats sleep so much? Cats often just take a nap, which means that their sleep is light and they can wake up at any time, due to a noise or if something draws the cat’s attention. Just like people – if you work extra hard and have a very stimulating day, you may sleep harder or longer. Cats might be up and active in the afternoon when you get home from work, but more often than not, they can be found lounging on a couch without a care in the world. Actually, their sleep can seem alarmingly deep at times. While it is possible for cats to live into their 30s, like Crème Puff, who died at age 38, a more likely estimate of your feline’s life span is about 16 years. Continued As they get older, you’ll also see increased or decreased sleep, avoiding human interaction, and dislike of being stroked or brushed. Learn more about feline sleeping patterns, how to know if your cat is sleeping too much, and what you can do to help your cat get better sleep. An adult cat spends almost 70% of the day sleeping with an average of 12 to 15 hours of sleep. Older cats go out less, explore less and generally do less, giving them more time to rest and sleep. If your cat starts s leeping even more than usual this may indicate that there is a problem or that he is getting older. Is cat snoring normal? As cats become older, they also sleep more. This includes any sleeping, from deep sleep to cat naps to dozing. Problems In Dreamland. Do they dream? Are Deaf Cats More Affectionate? Deaf cats may also sleep longer and more deeply without everyday noises to disturb them. It’s also perfectly normal for an older cat to sleep more of the day away — up to 20 hours, in fact, just as she may have done when she was a small kitten. On average, cats sleep for about 15 hours every day, and some kittens and older cats will sleep for upwards of 20 hours a day. Read on for facts about sleeping cats. Cats will also sleep more after large amounts of stimulation. However, as with most symptoms of FCD, there are also many alternative reasons for increased nighttime activity. Some cats will sleep more as they get older. They seem to crave more attention. Here are some changes to expect as your cat enters her golden years. Cats will also sleep more after large amounts of stimulation. 3. He only got up to eat and use the litterbox.. They definitely do sleep more.. My cat was indeed sleeping more and by the time he was 16, he was asleep almost the entire day. Aging Advanced age . This is not deep sleep. It’s as if their trust makes them seek you out for reassurance. When the kittens are very small until 5 weeks the sleep time is more. The fact that cats sleep a lot is not just a perception. Where this doesn’t completely answer the question of do cats dream, the evidence clearly suggests that there’s something going on in their brain during sleep. Some cats will sleep more as they get older. Give her plenty of lap time and talk to her sweetly. If she still likes to play, get one of her favorite toys and play together. Interestingly, the amount of REM sleep your cat experiences will decrease as they get older, therefore it’s assumed that kittens are much more likely to dream than adult cats. Just like people – if you work extra hard and have a very stimulating day, you may sleep harder or longer. Show your older cat plenty of love and affection and she will be happy. While some older cats become more aloof and less interactive, others become more needy. As they get older the hours of sleep increase. And are they truly sleeping, or just resting? Cats do spend some of their sleep time "napping" and remain alert to changes in their environment and able to quickly wake. A cat’s sleep-wake cycle can be impaired by FCD. Do Deaf Cats Purr? So why do our cats love to sleep so much?