Part 5: Rest and Security—Sleeping and Perching
Cats are experts in comfort and self-preservation. Part 5 dives into their marathon napping sessions and obsession with vertical territory.
1. Sleeping 16 Hours a Day: The Art of Energy Conservation
Cats sleep 12–16 hours daily, a trait inherited from wild ancestors who needed downtime between energy-intensive hunts. My cat Yuki, a fluffy Maine Coon mix, rotates between sunbeams and laundry baskets like a heat-seeking missile.
Science Note: Cats experience both light sleep (for quick alertness) and deep REM sleep, where they twitch and “dream.” Ever seen your cat’s paws flicker mid-nap? They’re likely chasing dream mice.
Pro Tip: Provide warm, enclosed beds (like igloo-style pods). Yuki adores her heated pad in winter—it mimics cuddling with littermates.
2. High Perches: The Need to Survey Their Kingdom
Cats crave vertical space—bookshelves, cat trees, even the top of the fridge. Height offers safety from perceived threats (like vacuums or dogs) and satisfies their instinct to monitor territory. My cat Kiki claims our 7-foot cat tree like a queen on her throne.
Expert Insight: A 2020 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found cats with access to vertical spaces show lower stress levels. Wall-mounted shelves or window perches are ideal for small spaces.
Personal Hack: I repurposed a floating bookshelf into a “cat highway.” Kiki uses it to patrol the room, leaping with acrobatic flair.
