Muggles, our older but smaller female house cat.
SWMBO and I were watching the television news last night and I glanced over at our two cats sleeping on the other end of the couch.
"They are the laziest cats in existence," I said.
SWMBO replied "that's what cats do. They sleep."
I knew that but I went to the Mighty Google this morning to do a little research.
I learned that the sleeping habit comes from feral cats who have to hunt for their food.
That takes a lot of energy so they compensate for it by sleeping.
But Muggles and Blackwell are house cats. They don't go outside. And they certainly don't have to hunt for their food.
The MG told me the near-constant sleeping is something that has been passed along nevertheless.
And most of the time they aren't deeply asleep.
They're alert and the first indication of danger brings them instantly and fully awake.
But still.
The MG said adult housecats sleep 16 to 20 hours a day.
And the older the cat is, the more it sleeps.
On another note, take a look at Muggles' tail.
I swear she has the longest tail of any housecat in existence.
Guess I'll have to go back to the MG to find out why.
Same thing with dogs up to 18 hours a day, but not a deep sleep. Our German Shepherd can snap awake, jump up and pursue his futile obsession with squirrels and be back dozing in minutes. If he's upstairs sleeping he can hear me open the fridge or pick up the car keys. Bastid.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your research tell you about humans taking cat naps?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely recommended.
DeleteI believe it is common knowledge that a cats tail grows while it sleeps.
ReplyDeleteI think cats (and animals in general) respond to stimulation. I bet when you play with Muggles she has lots of energy.
ReplyDeleteConserving energy. Our black cat has a decidedly shortish tail, which is part of why we think he may be part Manx.
ReplyDeleteThat is the longest tail I have ever seen on a cat!
ReplyDelete