# Do Cats or Dogs Sleep More? Sleep Needs Compared Cats sleep more than dogs. Most cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, while most dogs sleep 10 to 14 hours. Both species sleep far more than the average adult human, and both can swing widely within those ranges and still be perfectly healthy. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Cats generally sleep more than dogs, roughly 12 to 16 hours per day versus 10 to 14 for dogs. - Puppies, kittens, and senior pets sleep more than healthy adults of either species. - Sleep is split into many short naps across the day and night, not one long block. - A sudden jump or drop in sleep, or sleep that comes with other symptoms, is a reason to call your veterinarian. - Pet ownership itself is linked to better sleep in owners, and people who own both a dog and a cat report the best sleep of all pet-owner groups [1]. ## How Much Do Cats and Dogs Sleep? ### Normal Sleep Hours for Cats Cats are the champions of napping. A healthy adult cat typically sleeps 12 to 16 hours out of every 24. That sounds extreme until you consider how cats are built. They are crepuscular hunters by nature, most active at dawn and dusk, and they conserve energy between hunting bouts. Indoor cats often keep that pattern even though food arrives in a bowl. Kittens and senior cats sleep even more. Growing bodies need extra rest, and older cats often nap longer and more deeply. Cats also spend a large share of their sleep in light dozing, so they wake quickly and easily. That is normal cat biology, not laziness. ### Normal Sleep Hours for Dogs Dogs sleep about 10 to 14 hours a day on average. The exact number depends on age, breed, activity level, and health. Puppies can sleep 16 to 20 hours a day during growth spurts. Senior dogs often sleep more too, especially large breeds. Dogs tend to sleep in a mix of short naps and longer overnight stretches. A dog who gets plenty of exercise and mental work often sleeps more soundly at night. A dog who is bored or under-exercised may sleep lightly and restlessly, then catch up during the day. If you want a deeper look at canine sleep totals, see [How Long Do Dogs Sleep](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-do-dogs-sleep) and [How Many Hours A Day Do Dogs Sleep](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-many-hours-a-day-do-dogs-sleep). ### Do Cats or Dogs Sleep More? The Direct Comparison Cats sleep more. The gap is usually two to four hours per day, though individual pets overlap a lot. A lazy senior dog may out-sleep an active young cat. So the honest answer is that cats sleep more on average, but your individual pet's age, health, and daily routine matter more than the species label. ## Why Cats and Dogs Sleep So Much ### Sleep Is Normal and Necessary Sleep is a basic biological process that supports cognitive function, memory, and overall health in animals, just as it does in people [2]. Dogs share many neurological similarities with humans, which is one reason they are used as models in sleep research [2]. When your pet sleeps, the brain is consolidating memories, the body is repairing tissue, and the immune system is doing maintenance work. ### Predator and Prey Biology Cats are ambush predators. They need short bursts of explosive energy, so they bank rest between hunts. Dogs are also predators, but many were bred for endurance work like herding, guarding, and hunting alongside people. That history shapes how much downtime each species needs. ### Age, Breed, and Activity Level Young animals sleep more because growth takes energy. Senior animals sleep more because recovery is slower. Working and sporting breeds often sleep more deeply after hard exercise. Flat-faced breeds like pugs and Persian cats may sleep more restlessly because breathing effort disrupts rest. ### Environment and Routine Pets sleep better when their day is predictable. Feeding times, walks, play sessions, and quiet hours all act as cues. A chaotic household with late nights, loud TV, or a new baby can fragment a pet's sleep just like it fragments yours. ### The Owner Connection Living with a pet may improve your sleep too. In a survey of 1,256 U.S. adults, pet owners slept better than non-pet owners, and people who owned both a dog and a cat reported the best sleep of all four groups [1]. Dog ownership has also been linked to slightly lower perceived stress, largely through the amount of human-animal interaction it involves [3]. Lower stress at home tends to mean calmer nights for everyone. ## Medical Causes of Changed Sleep ### Pain and Discomfort Arthritis, dental disease, and soft tissue injuries often show up first as restless nights. A pet who paces, shifts position constantly, or wakes and cries may be hurting. Pain is one of the most common reasons sleep changes in older pets. ### Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Thyroid disease, diabetes, and Cushing's disease can all shift sleep and energy. A cat who sleeps more but also drinks and urinates more needs blood work. A dog who suddenly sleeps all day and seems weak needs the same. ### Heart, Lung, and Airway Problems Coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing get worse when a pet lies flat. If your pet sleeps sitting up or wakes gasping, that is a same-day call to your veterinarian. ### Brain and Neurologic Conditions Cognitive dysfunction in senior pets can flip the day-night cycle. These pets sleep all day and wander or vocalize at night. Seizure disorders and other neurologic problems can also interrupt sleep. ### Sleep Disorders Dogs can develop sleep disorders that disrupt normal sleep cycles and impair cognitive function, similar to people [2]. These are diagnosed by a veterinarian, often with a sleep history and sometimes with monitoring. Do not assume a sleep problem is behavioral until medical causes are ruled out. ### Stress and Anxiety Stress shows up in sleep. Anxious pets may sleep less, wake easily, or pace at night. A move, a new pet, a new baby, or a schedule change can all trigger this. If your cat is sleeping in unusual places, including the litter box, that can signal pain or anxiety. See [Why Is My Cat sleeping in litter box? FLUTD Pain and Anxiety Response](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-sleeping-in-litter-box-flutd-pain-and-anxiety-response). ## When Pet Sleep Becomes a Problem Sleep is a problem when it changes from your pet's normal pattern and comes with other signs. Watch for these: - Sleeping much more or much less than usual for more than a few days - Waking repeatedly at night, pacing, or vocalizing - Sleeping in odd places, such as the litter box or a corner - Refusing food, vomiting, diarrhea, or weight change - Limping, stiffness, or reluctance to move after rest - Coughing, wheezing, or breathing that looks labored at rest - Confusion, staring, or getting stuck in corners - New aggression or irritability when woken One off day after a long hike or a stressful event is usually fine. A week of disrupted sleep is not. Trust your instincts. You know your pet's baseline better than anyone. ## What to Do Step by Step ### Track the Pattern First Write down when your pet sleeps, wakes, eats, plays, and goes outside. Note any symptoms. A simple log for five to seven days gives your veterinarian real data instead of a vague impression. Activity monitors can also help. In hospitalized dogs, a wearable activity monitor's sleep and rest time correlated strongly with what observers saw on video [4], and collar-based accelerometer systems can classify sleep and wake patterns in dogs at home [5]. These tools support, but do not replace, your own observations. ### Build a Predictable Daily Routine Feed, walk, and play at the same times each day. Predictability lowers stress and helps set the body clock. For cats, add structured play sessions in the morning and evening to match natural hunting times. ### Increase Daytime Activity and Enrichment A tired pet sleeps better. For dogs, add sniff-heavy walks, training games, and puzzle feeders. For cats, use wand toys, food puzzles, and vertical space like cat trees and shelves. Mental work tires a pet as much as physical work. ### Protect Sleep at Night Keep the sleeping area dark, quiet, and comfortable. Give each pet its own bed or perch. If you co-sleep, make sure your pet can get on and off the bed safely. For senior pets, add orthopedic bedding and night lights near the path to the door. ### Address Pain and Comfort If your pet seems stiff, talk to your veterinarian about pain control. Never give human pain medications to pets. Some are toxic. Your veterinarian calculates the right drug and dose from your pet's weight and health. ### Manage Anxiety Gently Pheromone diffusers, white noise, and gradual introductions to new situations can help anxious pets. For serious anxiety, ask your veterinarian about a referral to a certified behavior professional. ## What Not to Do ### Do Not Punish a Sleepy or Restless Pet Punishment does not fix sleep problems and can make anxiety worse. A pet who wakes at night is not being spiteful. Something is driving the behavior, and you need to find it. ### Do Not Assume It Is Just Age " He's just getting old" is the most common reason real problems get missed. Senior pets do sleep more, but pain, thyroid disease, and cognitive dysfunction are treatable. Get them checked. ### Do Not Give Human Sleep Aids or Supplements Melatonin, antihistamines, and prescription sleep medications for people are not safe to give pets without veterinary guidance. Doses differ by species and weight. Your veterinarian sets any dose for your pet. ### Do Not Skip Meals or Water to Make a Pet Sleep Withholding food or water to reduce nighttime waking is dangerous. It can cause dehydration and serious illness, especially in cats. ### Do Not Rely on Myths Cats are not nocturnal in the strict sense. They are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. Dogs do not need to "sleep it off" after every minor change. And a pet who sleeps a lot is not automatically depressed. Look at the whole picture. ## When to Involve a Veterinarian or Behavior Professional Call your veterinarian if sleep changes last more than a few days, come with other symptoms, or disrupt your household. Your veterinarian will take a history, do a physical exam, and recommend testing based on findings. Blood work, urine testing, imaging, and sometimes sleep monitoring are all options. Ask for a referral to a certified behavior professional if medical causes are ruled out and your pet shows anxiety, fear, or aggression around sleep. Behavior problems are treatable, and early help works better than waiting. For general canine sleep patterns and why dogs rest the way they do, see [Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? Understanding Canine Sleep Patterns](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/sleeping-dogs). If you are choosing between species and sleep is part of your decision, [Cat or Dog: Which Pet Is Right for Your Lifestyle?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/cat-or-dog-which-pet-is-right-for-you) walks through the daily realities of each. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian Sleep needs vary by individual pet, and no article can tell you what is normal for your specific animal. Your veterinarian is the only one who can examine your pet, review the history, and decide what testing or treatment is needed. Contact your veterinarian the same day if your pet: - Breathes with effort, coughs persistently, or cannot lie down comfortably - Stops eating or drinking - Shows sudden weakness, collapse, or inability to stand - Has a swollen, painful abdomen - Cries out or cannot settle at all Go to an emergency clinic now if your pet: - Struggles to breathe or has blue gums - Has a seizure or loses consciousness - Collapses and cannot get up - Shows signs of severe pain, such as screaming or biting when touched - Ingested a toxin or human medication Schedule a routine visit if your pet: - Sleeps noticeably more or less than usual for more than a few days - Wakes at night repeatedly - Seems stiff, slow, or reluctant to move - Drinks or urinates more than usual - Shows confusion or gets stuck in corners - Has new anxiety or aggression around sleep ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do cats or dogs sleep more? Cats sleep more on average. Most adult cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, while most adult dogs sleep 10 to 14. Individual pets overlap a lot, so age, health, and activity level matter more than species alone. ### Is it normal for my cat to sleep all day? It can be normal, especially for kittens, seniors, and indoor cats with a crepuscular schedule. Cats naturally sleep in many short bouts across the day and night. If your cat is also eating less, hiding, or avoiding the litter box, call your veterinarian. ### Is it normal for my dog to sleep 16 hours a day? It depends on your dog's age and activity level. Puppies and senior dogs often sleep that much. A healthy adult dog who suddenly jumps to 16 hours, or who seems weak or uninterested in walks, needs a veterinary exam. ### Can pets have sleep disorders like people do? Yes. Dogs can develop sleep disorders that disrupt normal sleep cycles and affect cognitive function, similar to humans [2]. Diagnosis requires a veterinary workup, and treatment depends on the cause. Do not assume it is behavioral until medical causes are ruled out. ### Does having a pet affect my own sleep? Pet ownership is linked to better sleep in owners, and people who own both a dog and a cat report the best sleep of all pet-owner groups [1]. Dog ownership is also tied to slightly lower perceived stress, largely through human-animal interaction [3]. Co-sleeping arrangements and individual pet behavior still shape how well any one person sleeps. ## Related Articles - [Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? Understanding Canine Sleep Patterns](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/sleeping-dogs) - [How Long Do Dogs Sleep](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-do-dogs-sleep) - [How Many Hours A Day Do Dogs Sleep](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-many-hours-a-day-do-dogs-sleep) - [Cat or Dog: Which Pet Is Right for Your Lifestyle?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/cat-or-dog-which-pet-is-right-for-you) - [Why Is My Cat sleeping in litter box? FLUTD Pain and Anxiety Response](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-sleeping-in-litter-box-flutd-pain-and-anxiety-response) - [How Much Do Cats Sleep? Normal Hours Explained](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/how-much-do-cats-sleep) - [Is It Normal for Cats to Sleep All Day? Normal vs Too Much](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-sleeping-all-day-normal) - [Do Cats Dream? What Science Says About Feline Sleep](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/do-cats-dream) ## References 1. [Dog Tired: A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Relation Between Dog and/or Cat Ownership and Owners' Sleep](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40921730/). Journal of sleep research, 2026. 2. [Study of changes in brain dynamics during sleep cycles in dogs under effect of trazodone](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41289240/). PloS one, 2025. 3. [Comparative mediation analysis of dog and cat ownership and perceived stress](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42308192/). PloS one, 2026. 4. [Utility of PLUS CYCLE to measure physical activity and sleep duration and detect postoperative sleep disturbances in hospitalized dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40570038/). PloS one, 2025. 5. [Beacon-based sleep-wake monitoring in dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38684414/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2024. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)