Is a Cat Sleeping in Unusual Places a Sign of Sickness?

Every cat owner knows the worry that comes from changes in a pet's usual habits. In part, humans expect cats to follow the predictable behaviorial patterns of humankind. Cats, however, follow a seemingly more-random and carefree behaviorial pattern. For this reason, a cat sleeping in unusual places could either signify illness or just a healthy cat trying out new places.

  1. Cats and Sleep

    • Cats contain different evolutionary sleep processes than humans. While humans follow a sleep-wake pattern, cats don't. Instead, they sleep regularly throughout the day. Most of this sleep time, however, is spent in light sleep, hence the term "catnap." In the wild, cats needed to hunt quickly and use a great deal of energy. Therefore, they have developed the need to "recharge" often.

    Changes

    • With changes in weather or household conditions, cats might seek new spots to rest their feline eyes. The reason is that cats look for sleeping places that allow them to feel safe and provide a balanced temperature. For example, if you introduce a new puppy into the house, then your cat might start sleeping on high, out-of-reach perches. Additionally, cats seek out sunny or warm places for winter naps and cool places for summer snoozes. If your cat recently started sleeping in unusual places, then look for any changes that might have instigated these changes in sleep patterns.

    Signs of Sickness

    • Some signs of sickness in cats that you should look for include loss of appetite; urination problems, such as urinating outside of the litter box; increased thirst; and meowing more often. If your cat shows any of these symptoms, then contact a veterinarian.

    Aging

    • Aging cats might seek out new resting locations due to changes in their bodies, according to the Feline Advisory Bureau. As cats age, they lose the ability to regulate their core temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia. This means that elderly cats might find warmer places in the winter months -- places recently left unexplored. Additionally, the bones of elderly cats, just like in elderly humans, become more fragile and can provide some pain, so elderly cats might seek out new, softer locations in which to sleep.