While most people believe that cats are nocturnal creatures, they’re actually not at all! Rather, cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they’re awake during the hours of dusk and dawn (twilight).
Cats Are Not Nocturnal
It may come as a surprise to you that cats are not nocturnal. Nocturnal animals are ones that are awake most during the hours of the night. Instead, cats are crepuscular, meaning they are awake mostly during the transition hours between day and night. Therefore, cats actually have two main waking hours during a day; once in the evening as it’s getting dark, and another time right around when the sun rises.
When Are Cats Awake The Most?
Because cats are crepuscular, they’re going to be awake most in the hours around dawn and dusk. Depending on the time of year, this will be roughly between 7-10pm at night and 4-7am in the morning.
For the most part, cats like to be awake during the twilight, as the sun is rising and setting. They like the low light that comes between broad daylight and the dark of night.
When Do Cats Sleep The Most?
Cats sleep the most during the main hours of the day and the middle of the night. It’s not uncommon for your cat to be passed out all day in their cat tree or cat bed, and then seem to come alive right around when you’re going to bed.
Although it might seem like your cat is wreaking the most havoc during the night, they’re probably not actually awake that long in the middle part. Instead, most of their activity will be right as you’re going to bed and right before you wake up.
Can I Change My Cat’s Sleeping Schedule?
Cats are adaptable creatures that can flexibly change their schedules depending on their environment. However, you’re probably not going to change their crepuscular nature that much. Your cat’s natural tendency will be to want to sleep during the day and night, and be awake during dawn and dusk.
Even so, you can still do a few things to change your cat’s sleeping schedule a bit. For instance, this may be necessary for light sleepers who don’t want their cat to wake them up in the early hours of the morning.
- Feed times – you can adjust your cat’s feeding times to entice them to stay awake during the day and sleep at night. For example, feeding them a big meal right before you go to bed will make them sleepy and lethargic. Cats like to sleep right after they’ve had big meals.
- Play times – Wear your cat out during the daytime by playing with them every so often. Some cats like to be chased and others prefer to play with their cat toys. In any case, playtime is great exercise and will get them worn out by the time night comes around. Think about getting some battery-powered toys so you can focus on other things while your cat plays.
- Stimulation – keeping the environment stimulating during the day will help keep your cat awake so they’re tired at night. Leaving the TV or music will make it harder for your cat to sleep. You can also experiment with leaving catnip around as it’s energizing to cats.
Why Cats Are Crepuscular and Not Nocturnal
Cats are crepuscular because they evolved to take advantage of the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. Cat’s have eyes that evolved to see best in low light, making them best suited to hunt at times when the sun is rising or setting.
Some prey animals are also most active in the twilight hours because it’s not too hot and not too cold. Taking advantage of this activity, cats would hunt these prey during dusk and dawn.
