If you’re a cat owner, you may have wondered if your furry friend gets annoyed when you interrupt their nap by waking them up. Cats sleep a lot – up to 16 hours per day on average – so they cherish their nap times.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: cats can get momentarily startled or irritated if woken abruptly from a deep sleep. But they typically don’t stay mad for long.
Why Cats Sleep So Much
Hours of sleep needed
Cats need a lot of sleep because they are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. On average, cats sleep between 12-16 hours per day. Kittens and older cats need even more sleep, spending as much as 20 hours sleeping.
This allows cats to store energy for their active periods.
Sleep patterns
Cats tend to take short naps spread throughout the day rather than sleeping for extended periods of time all at once. Their sleep cycle lasts about 30 minutes, so they take lots of little catnaps. This allows them to quickly go from resting to fully alert when needed to hunt or avoid danger.
Cats reach deep REM sleep after about 30 minutes, so their frequent napping gives them plenty of time in deep, restorative sleep.
Deep sleep importance
The reason cats need so much sleep is because deep REM sleep is critical for animals that are natural hunters like cats. Deep sleep allows the brain to store memories and learns skills that cats need for hunting, like coordination, senses, reaction time and instinct.
Young kittens especially need lots of sleep because their developing brains are rapidly forming neural connections and learning new things about the world around them while sleeping.
Signs Your Cat Is Annoyed When Woken
Body Language Cues
When a cat is annoyed after being woken up, they will often demonstrate body language cues that communicate their irritation. Here are some common signs to look for:
- Ears turned back or flat against the head
- Pupils dilated
- Tail swishing back and forth
- Arching back
- Crouching down or rolling over to expose belly (not asking for belly rubs)
- Biting or swatting when touched
- Avoiding eye contact and turning head away
- Tense body language instead of relaxed
These types of body language cues indicate a cat is feeling annoyed, angry, overstimulated or frightened. It’s best to avoid touching or interacting with your cat until their body relaxes. Give them space to calm down after being woken up against their wishes.
Vocalizations
In addition to body language, cats rely on vocalizations to express their annoyance after being woken up unexpectedly. Some sounds to listen for include:
- Hissing
- Growling or gurgling sounds
- Yowling or howling
- Spitting
- Puffing fur out to appear bigger
These vocal warnings serve to communicate your cat’s irritated emotional state. If you hear these noises after waking your cat, it’s best to give them space to relax before trying to pet or pick them up. Their vocalizations signal that they are in no mood for interaction at that moment.
Aggressive Behaviors
In some cases, a cat may display aggressive behaviors like swatting, scratching, or biting to convey their annoyance after being woken up. According to a 2021 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 28% of cats have displayed aggressive behaviors like biting or scratching [1].
Common signs of aggression include:
- Biting or scratching
- Swatting paws
- Lunging or attacking
- Wrestling or biting ankles/hands
These behaviors are not signs of a “bad” cat, but rather communication that the cat is extremely annoyed and overwhelmed. The best response is to immediately cease touching the cat and allow them to have alone time.
Trying to soothe or hold an aggressive cat will likely worsen the aggressive response. With time and space, the cat is likely to return to a calm, relaxed state once their annoyed response subsides.
Tips For Waking A Sleeping Cat
Approach slowly
When waking a sleeping cat, it’s important to move slowly and quietly to avoid startling them. Cats can be easily spooked if woken suddenly, so take soft, quiet steps toward your sleeping kitty. Speak in gentle tones as you get closer so they recognize your voice and presence.
Sudden loud noises or quick movements can cause a just-woken cat to react in fear by scratching or biting, so a slow, gentle approach is key.
Speak softly
As you get near your snoozing cat, start talking to them in a soft, soothing voice. Use their name and say calming phrases like “Time to wake up, Fluffy” or “Rise and shine, Mittens!” This will help rouse them gently without being too abrupt.
Avoid using loud tones or noises, as this can overload their senses when waking up and cause an aggressive or scared reaction. Let your voice be the first thing they hear as it brings them out of sleep mode.
Pet gently
Once you’re next to your sleeping cat, lightly pet them to continue the wake-up process. Gently stroke their head, ears, or back, but don’t immediately go for belly rubs as this area is sensitive upon first waking. Keep your movements subtle and soothing.
Your cat may start stirring, blinking their eyes open, or gently stretching their legs showing they are emerging from sleep. Respond to their cues by keeping your voice and touch soft and gentle. Avoid petting too vigorously or grabbing at sleepy kitty. Let them wake up at their own pace.
Allow space
It’s important to give your cat some space once they are awake. An abrupt wake-up can leave some cats feeling grumpy or territorial. Allow them to fully get their bearings by taking a few steps back. Keep talking to them calmly and give them time to stretch out their body and become oriented to their surroundings.
Cats feel vulnerable when they are sleeping, so backing away shows you are not a threat. Give them that morning adjustment period before immediately swooping in to pick them up or cuddle. Their mood will improve quickly once they shake off that sleep inertia and recognize you.
When To Let Sleeping Cats Lie
Senior and ill cats
Waking up senior cats or cats with medical conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism can be disruptive and stressful for them. As cats age, their sleep patterns change and they tend to sleep more during the day. Senior cats need that extra sleep and rest to maintain their health.
So it’s best to let sleeping senior or ill cats lie unless completely necessary. Gently waking them up for things like mealtimes or medication may be alright, but avoid interrupting their sleep just for playtime or petting.
Kittens
Kittens need lots of sleep for healthy development! Kittens sleep around 15-20 hours per day. Their sleep includes both nighttime sleeping as well as naps and dozing during the day. Kittens tend to cycle in and out of deep and light sleep as they rest and recharge.
Waking a kitten up during deep sleep can be alarming and disorienting for them. It’s best to let sleeping kittens lie undisturbed as much as possible. However, if they are napping during playtime or family time, you can gently rouse them, letting them wake up slowly on their own.
Deep sleep stages
Cats experience different stages of sleep just like humans do, including REM and deep sleep. Waking a cat up suddenly during deep, restorative sleep can cause them stress. Researchers have identified behaviors cats display during deep sleep, like whisker twitching, paw movements, or ear flicking.
If you observe these behaviors in a sleeping cat, it means they are likely in deep sleep and should not be disturbed. The exceptions would be emergencies or something urgent like a vet appointment. Otherwise, try to let them wake up naturally from their deep snooze.
In general, avoid startling cats out of deep slumber. But an occasional gentle wake up call during light napping may be fine. Pay attention to their age, health issues, and sleep stage behaviors. And if a cat seems extremely irritated after being awoken, take note of that for the future!
Every cat has different sensitivities. Understanding feline sleep patterns leads to happier, healthier kitties getting the zzz’s they need.
Conclusion
In summary, healthy cats may express momentary irritation like hissing or swiping if awoken abruptly. But they typically forgive the disruption quickly. Use gentle tactics when waking a dozing kitty and let them be if they seem excessively upset or are in a deep sleep cycle for their health and happiness.