

Senior felines typically fall into deep sleep easier, and more often, than younger counterparts. Waving paws and chirping suggest the cat is dreaming of an earlier hunt or play session. If your cat looks peaceful and arches its back, it may be dreaming of being petted. If your cat purrs and moves in its sleep, it is likely re-enacting memories from the day. Until the hippocampus has fully processed these memories, they will remain in a cat’s mind.

On average, a cat retains memories for around 16 hours. It is commonly believed that cat dreams involve re-living events of the recent past.

This means that senior cats will spend more time in deep sleep, and less in REM. Tired or damaged joints and muscles need more reparation. Your cat drifts in and out of both cycles, possibly multiple times, during the same slumber.Īge will dictate how much deep sleep the cat needs. REM sleep is every bit as important to your cat’s brain as deep sleep is to its body.Ĭats do not follow a strict routine of REM sleep vs. This will eventually lead to the cat becoming overwhelmed. Without dreams, your cat cannot maintain or dismiss memories. REM sleep may not always look peaceful, but it is vital.

This is because, during REM sleep, the cat’s brain remains active. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is when dreams occur. Deep sleep is important, as it enables feline muscles to repair themselves from a day’s exertions. The cat’s breathing will be slow and steady, and the body will remain completely still. If a cat is in deep sleep, it will not dream. Each of them is equally important but impact a feline differently.ĭeep sleep is as restful as it sounds. Managing your cat’s behavior and environment can set both of you up for long-term success.REM sleep and deep sleep are the two core cycles of a cat’s sleep pattern. Avoid giving in to this belief to prevent a hostile, stressful relationship.Ībove all, remember that all living beings do what works for them: if your cat is allowed to disturb you at night – or worse yet, is rewarded for doing so – the behavior will continue. Don’t punish your catĪs frustrating as this behavior can be, it is not generated by spite, resentment, revenge, or any other human emotion. White-noise machines in the bedroom and ear plugs can also help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also place a towel between your closed bedroom door and the door frame to prevent door-rattling. If your cat is jumping on the bed and disturbing you, close your bedroom door so they can’t practice the wrong behavior. Manage your cat’s environment during the night Feeder toys simulate a wild feline’s hunt-catch-consume behavior, providing both mental and physical stimulation. One option is feeding your cat meals from a food-dispensing toy. Even spending five minutes a day on these activities can go a long way in stimulating and tiring out your cat. Many cats enjoy cat teasers, playing fetch, or chasing a laser pointer. Provide adequate exercise and stimulation earlier in the eveningĬats will sleep all day if allowed, so make time for regular sessions of interactive play early in the evening.
