If there is one thing cats are famous for, it is sleeping. A healthy adult cat sleeps an average of 12 to 16 hours a day, and kittens and senior cats can easily sleep up to 20 hours!

Because they sleep so much, it is easy to assume they are getting good sleep. But just like
humans, the quality of a cat's sleep is just as important as the quantity. If your cat is
constantly being woken up, startled, or forced to sleep in high-traffic areas, they can
become chronically stressed, irritable, and even physically ill. Here is what you need to know about your cat's sleep habits, and how to ensure they are getting the deep rest they need.

The Feline Sleep Cycle
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk (which explains why
they love to sprint down the hallway at 4:00 AM). During the day, they cycle between two
types of sleep. The first is light sleep, which makes up about 75% of their rest time. Their
eyes might be slightly open, their ears will twitch toward sounds, and they can spring into
action in a fraction of a second. The second is deep sleep (REM), which makes up the
remaining 25%. This is when they dream, twitch their paws, and truly recharge their bodies
and immune systems. Deep sleep usually only happens in short 10-to-15-minute bursts.
The Threat to Deep Sleep To enter that crucial deep REM sleep, a cat must feel 100% secure. If they are sleeping on the living room sofa while the kids are running around, or if the family dog is constantly pacing past them, they will stay in light "cat nap" mode. Over time, sleep deprivation leads to a weakened immune system and behavioral issues like aggression or over-grooming.

Creating a Sleep Sanctuary
To ensure your cat gets high-quality deep sleep, they need access to a quiet, dark, and
secure sanctuary where they know they will not be disturbed. For most households, this
means a bedroom or a quiet home office.

But there is a catch: cats hate being locked in, and they hate being locked out. If you shut
them in the bedroom, they will eventually wake up and scratch at the door to use the litter
box. If you leave the bedroom door open, the noise of the house (and the dog) gets in,
ruining their sanctuary.

The solution?

 A Kitty Korner door. By installing one on your bedroom or office door, you
give your cat the ultimate gift: autonomy. They can retreat to a dark, quiet, closed-door
room to get their vital deep sleep, safe from the dog and the noise of the house. And when they wake up and need a snack or a bathroom break, they can slip out quietly without waking you up to open the door. Better sleep for the cat, and better sleep for you. That is a win-win.