Do cats dream and what do they dream about

When you look at a sleeping cat, you have the impression that it is incredibly calm and relaxed. But sometimes, their whiskers move or their paws twitch. If you compare it to human sleep, you inevitably wonder if cats dream and, if they do, what they dream about.

Scientists agree that there are numerous similarities in brain structure among all mammals. Observed brain activity during sleep and sleep behavior suggest that daydreaming is universal.

Therefore, we can answer this question: yes, cats dream too.But how do we know what cats dream about?

REM and NREM sleeping phases in cats

The sleep stages that our cats experience can be categorizedinto REM - rapid eye movement sleep, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, andthe transition period between these two phases.

During REM sleep, the cat sometimes twitches and moves its paws or lips. Cats' dreams during the REM phase are detailed, long, and sometimes very imaginative and vivid. On the other hand, dreams that occur during the NREM phase are generally short and process or repeat daily activities.

Cats' sleeping cycles are shorter than humans. They are estimated to enter the REM phase three times more often than humans -approximately every 25 minutes. This means that they can enter the REM phase even during a short nap during the day.

Also, probably due to rapid brain development, young cats spend more time in REM than older cats.

Cat is always ready to react

A cat falls into a profound sleep or has several short naps during the day. Blood pressure and muscle tone do not change significantly during a short rest. When a cat sleeps deeply, blood pressure drops, and muscle tone weakens.

Regardless of how deeply a feline falls asleep, it reactsquickly to any sound. This is due to her hearing acuity, which remainspreserved even during deep sleep.

How much do cats sleep?

The cat would be the absolute winner if sleeping was a competition. So, how much do cats sleep?

Cats sleep around 15 hours daily, but they can sleep as much as 20 hours. Cats generally sleep most of the day, as naturally, they are more active overnight.

Your pet needs a calm atmosphere

A calm atmosphere ensures that cats feel safe in their home while they sleep, so they reach the stage of deep sleep more often. Therefore, this deep sleep is crucial for preserving a feline’s health and learning.

You influence your cat's mental and physical health by providing them with these conditions.

What do cats dream about?

*Adrian Morrison, a veterinary neurologist, found that when a cat experiences the REM phase, it moves its head as if it is watching something. It is likely that when our furry friends are curled up snoozing, they dream about hunting a mouse or a bird or the situation with other cats. Or sometimes they must be dreaming about cuddling with you too.

Why do cats dream?

The function of dreams in cats is the same as in humans.During sleep, they process experiences, information, and events during the day.The actions they experience in their dreams are likely similar to those in real life and help them process or define emotional impressions and feelings.

Knowing how much time our cats spend sleeping makes it reasonable for cat owners to wonder, do cats dream? Our favorite pets are even more interesting than we thought.