Menu
If you already own a Bengal cat, you probably wonder if they ever really sleep. That’s understandable since they tend to be a lot more active than the average domestic cat. They always seem to be on the go never wanting to stop exploring or playing. They just seem to be active every minute of the day and tend to require a lot of stimulation. However, they do sleep, whether it seems like it or not. Here’s what we will cover in this article:
One thing is certain about cats, including Bengals, is that when they do sleep, they are truly masters at it. They seem to be able to fall asleep at any time, anywhere and often under any type of circumstances. Something we humans envy. They also seem to be able to sleep in just about any crazy or cute position.
When it comes to the amount of hours your Bengal cat sleeps will often just depend upon the individual and how much exercise they are given throughout the day. The more energy they use up, the more sleep they generally will require. Here our list of recommended Bengal Cat beds, in case you’re looking for one.
There are some domestic cats that can sleep as much as 16 hours a day and older cats can often sleep as much as 20 hours. However, with a Bengal cat, you more than likely can count on them sleeping somewhat less than that. Bengals will probably average closer to 12 to 14 hours a day of sleep, just because they have so much more desire to play, explore and get your attention when you are home. Even that amount of time seems like a lot.
The sleeping habits of all cats including Bengals is actually the result of their evolution, their nutritional habits, and their physiology. Cats in the wild have the need to hunt in order to find food, they stalk, chase, and kill their prey themselves. This burns up a lot of energy and thus the need for so much sleep. When cats sleep, it helps them conserve this energy between their meals.
Often when you find your Bengal napping, they really aren’t sound asleep. Fact is, that three quarters of the time they do spend sleeping is what we would considering just snoozing. When your Bengal is in this state they still get the rest they need, but it also means that they are still very alert, which means they can be awake in a moment’s notice. The way you can tell if your Bengal is just snoozing is by their ears. They will twitch and rotate around toward any noises and even their eyes will be open just a little bit. Did you know that they can even slip into a little snooze while they are sitting perfectly upright?
The rest of the time that your cat sleeps, which is a quarter of the time, is actually spent in a true deep sleep. When your cat is in a deep sleep you’ll usually find them curled up with their eyes shut very tightly. You sometimes might see them with their tails over their face, almost like a sleeping mask. This deep sleep is vital for your Bengal’s body to be able to regenerate itself and to keep healthy. Believe it or not, this is the part of their sleep when your Bengal might actually have a cat dream. If you have ever noticed their whiskers or paws twitching while they are deeply asleep, there’s a good probability that your cat is dreaming. During this type of sleep, it’s probably best that you let them sleep since it’s the most important type of sleep that your Bengal can get during the day or night.
Here’s a short video clip of a Bengal cat sound asleep:
It’s important to note that if you start seeing changes in your Bengal’s sleeping habits, there could be reasons to be concerned. For example if your cat starts to sleep a lot more or far less than normal, this could be a sign there’s something wrong. In this situation it’s important that you contact your vet. If your cat is sleeping far too much, it could be an indication of an illness or they’re suffering from some form of pain. On the other hand, if they are awake far too long, this could be signs of other problems like hyperthyroidism. If you are not sure, it’s always best to consult a professional before just shrugging it off as nothing.
So, there you have it. Did this article help you understand how long Bengals sleep and the reasons behind it? Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Resources
Affiliate Disclosure
BengalCatClub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Additionally, BengalCatClub.com participates in various other affiliate programs. This means that when you purchase certain products through our recommendations, at no additional cost to you, we receive a monetary reward for referring you.
*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
