5 reasons why your cat sleeps a lot in winter

With the onset of winter, the behavior of animals, including pets, changes. And this often raises questions and concerns for their owners. This was reported by SSPDaily.

News Bytes writes: "For example, cats become more affectionate and sleep for many hours in a row. Supertails' chief veterinarian, Dr. Shantanu Kalambi, told the publication about some of the reasons for cats' abnormal sleepiness during the cold season."

Natural hibernation instinct

According to Dr. Kalambi, cats are natural hunters and can hibernate in winter when there is a lack of prey.

"Although cats don't hibernate like some wild animals, the instinct to conserve energy during the winter remains, leading to increased sleep levels," he says. "This is one of the most common reasons your cat may sleep more than usual."

Reduced daylight hours

Cats' physiology is designed so that they are most active at dawn and dusk.

"In winter, the days get shorter and the nights longer, so your cat can naturally adjust its sleeping pattern to match the change in daylight hours," the veterinarian said.

"In addition, the cold weather prevents animals from staying outside for a long time. As a result, cats spend less energy and compensate for the 'free' time from physical activity by sleeping in comfortable conditions," he added.

Temperature regulation

Compared to humans, cats have a higher body temperature.

"In the winter, cats prefer to sleep longer to conserve energy and maintain the right body temperature," says Dr. Kalambi.

He also claims that heating in homes has a relaxing effect on cats. If they are warm and cozy, they hibernate even deeper.

Hunting instincts

Domestic cats retain their predator instincts - chasing and attacking. They may not need to hunt to survive, but the instinct to conserve energy for possible hunting scenarios remains.

"Hibernation can be a preparation for imaginary hunting adventures or simply a way for your cat to stay in good physical shape for situations when it is needed," says the chief veterinarian.

Stress is also a reason to sleep

During the holidays, our homes become noisier and more crowded.

"These changes can be stressful for cats, prompting them to seek comfort in extra sleep, waiting for the holiday rush to end, and return to their old routines," Dr. Kalambi said.