Domestic cats and cats are famous sleep lovers. Veterinarians claim that a 16-20 hour sleep for cats is normal, but there are certain periods of direct sleep in it, and others - nap.

The cycles vary greatly, within each of them completely different processes occur in the organisms of pets loved by people. Why do cats need to sleep so much what happens physiologically during these periods? Specialists are ready to give an answer to all curious.

Feline sleep and statistics

Cats really sleep a lot, ranking third among the record holders for this indicator among warm-blooded organisms. Only opossums, who are the direct leaders in this matter, and mice sleep more. Even brown bears, known for their duration of hibernation, spend less time in total sleeping less than any domestic cat. Against the background of these statements, it becomes even more interesting why cats need to sleep so much.

Scientists conducted research in search of an answer to this question. However, their efforts were not crowned with a definite result; the results were different. As it turned out, each feline has individual psychological traits and norms. However, all cats are nocturnal, they must hunt at night. After all, the mice, which are their natural prey, also show night activity, and sleep during the day, and for a long time, also being among the record holders for this indicator.

Poultry is a rare prey for a cat, the basis of their diet in nature is rodents, mainly mice.For thousands, millions of years of evolution, the body of today's pet pets has adapted to the biorhythms of mice. Even human taming has changed little in this regard.

Interesting fact: if the dog was really domesticated by man, then the cat remained a wild animal, adapted to the conditions of human life. While every dog ​​looks into the owner’s eyes, focuses on his mood, needs, any cat thinks first of himself about himself, considering a person one of the elements of the situation. In the apartment, the cat lives in exactly the same way as in the forest - focusing on its own instincts, simply adapting to the situation provided to it. If necessary, a miniature predator also hunts at home - if mice appear in the apartment.

Natural niche of a cat and its mode

If the cat is active during the day, she will have to sleep at night when her prey is active. A similar situation is impossible - the predator will remain hungry. Therefore, you have to sleep during the day - or save energy at this time of day, which is observed by pet owners. The person is active during the day, and notices that the cat is either sleeping or inactive. At night, when most people sleep, the cat can display infinite energy, hunt for real or imagined prey.

To be honest, we can confidently say that cats need long sleep to store energy. Resting all day, a domestic predator can show amazing agility at night. Chasing the mouse, the cat is able to make an incredible jerk, catching and catching prey in one motion.The wild cheetah runs so fast that the blood does not have time to circulate through the vessels of his body, and the domestic cat is also capable of this, although within a short spurt. After such an effort, the animal has to recover for a long time, to rest. Only after many hours of sleep, the cat is ready for a new active night.

Feline sleep and nap

By carefully analyzing the cat’s sleep, the presence of different phases can be noted. Resting with his eyes closed, the predator does not always sleep. They have a special sleep regimen, which involves energy saving - with closed eyes, the animal does not sleep, but simply lies, perfectly controlling the situation - hearing and scent work fine, although the eyes are closed and the cat looks like he's sleeping.

Pulse, breathing in a nap are slowed down, as well as other vital processes, which allows not to spend extra energy in a period when there is no opportunity to pursue prey, to eat. The temperature drops slightly. But if at such a moment a danger or potential prey is recorded - the cat will instantly mobilize, will actively act in accordance with the situation.

Cat sleep and external factors

A cat is a predator, it needs a complete protein diet. Receiving such food, she sleeps for a long time, because her physiological needs are satisfied. However, on dry food of poor quality, cats can often wake up - the body signals the need to search for prey. In addition, the temperament of animals varies, as in humans. There are cats - sanguine with a balanced character, there are active choleric, which by nature sleep less.Phlegmatic, melancholy sleep a lot.

The cat must sleep a lot, this is the norm. However, the animal cannot sleep physically when it is too cold, hungry, or when it comes to illness. It is worth knowing that lack of sleep is dangerous for the cat, immunity at the same time drops, strength quickly depletes. And cats may well fall into such a state - for example, under stress.

Thus, cats sleep a lot, because she needs to regain strength and their prey also sleeps a lot and is active only at night. Nature dictates such a regime to them, violation of the usual schedule is dangerous for the health of the pet.