Cats spend most of their day asleep. It’s one of the things they are so good at. They use much of their time sleeping to restore their energy before the next hunt even if it’s chasing the laser, rubber ball, or catnip toy for our domesticated friends.
When we watch cats sleep, they look so adorable and cute. If you notice your cat twitching its toes or whiskers, chattering or moving its paws, they are probably dreaming.
So what do cats dream about?
That’s one of the pressing questions any cat owner will have when they watch their cat dreaming. We have all the answers to your burning question.
What Do Cats Dream About?
Like us humans, felines probably dream about things that have happened in the recent or distant past. Mostly, cats recall and categorically organize what they do during the day and recall it as they sleep or take naps.
- Dreaming About You
Good to hear someone dreams of you, right? Cats explore their memorable experiences with you during their naps. The way you scratch their ears when you play hide and seek with them, the way you try to attract their attention so that they find you, or the way you entice them with treats.
These daily interactions with you are likely what your cat dreams about.
- Stalking Birds And Mice
Stalking is part of a cat’s DNA. In fact, it is part of their hunting routine and is what even the wild cats do.
The difference between a domestic and a wild cat can be vast. Cat food for feral cats is surprisingly different than what we would usually feed our domestic cats. Unlike their wild counterparts, our domestic cats don’t necessarily hunt for food. They desire to stalk and pounce on the prey they can handle, such as mice and birds.
If you notice your cat cycling his little legs in the air or twitching her ears as they sleep, they are probably dreaming about catching that mouse in your garage.
- Squabbles With Another Cat
Your cat will remember that stray cat that tried to encroach their territory. Even as they play with friendly cats, it may result in rough play. Felines definitely remember showing the better of themselves to their rival friends as they sleep.
- Nightmares
Cats’ dreams depend on realistic experiences. It’s completely normal for their dreams to relate to a bad event that has happened throughout their lifetime—losing their play buddies or when a naughty boy kicked them along the streets. They are capable of processing such stress and trauma as they sleep.
There are a couple of things you need to consider in this case. If you notice your cat making uncontrolled movements as they sleep, waking them up is a bad idea. Chances are they are having a nightmare, and waking them up may result in bites, scratches, or even worse. They will be unable to know what’s happening in those first few moments, and protection will be their first instinct.
Sleep is essential for cats and better health conditions. Felines experience two types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, you can see their eyes moving rapidly, and this is when the dreams occur.
Whenever your cat is stressed, they will default to more REM types of sleep. Always pay attention to your cats’ sleeping patterns. This may help them to be less stressed out during a the night.
If you want to find the best cat bed for older cats or even younger kittens, then remember to look for something cozy, that provides ample room and gives your cat the opportunities for more longer lasting sleep all-round. This will contribute towards deeper sleep and sweet dreaming.
If there are any concerns about your cat’s sleep pattern or dreams, it’s important to consult a veterinarian.
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BIO
Hey, I’m Amy and I’m in love with my pets! I have a diverse variety, including three cats, one dog, one rabbit, one guinea pig, and a beautiful macaw. I love writing about everything pet-related and spend as much time as I can sharing my personal experiences on my blog: SmartCatLovers.org.
once, my cat was growling and hissing in her sleep. I pet her gently and she began purring without waking up. A sweet memory.