Why Do Cats Twitch in Their Sleep? 6 Reasons

If you're a cat owner, you've likely witnessed the peculiar sight of your feline companion twitching and moving vigorously during sleep, sometimes as if they're participating in a late-night marathon. While these movements can be entertaining and cute, they also raise questions about what's happening in your cat's dreamland. This article delves into the world of cat sleep, explains the reasons behind these curious twitches, and offers guidance on when to be concerned about your cat's sleep behavior.

Cat Sleep Habits

Before exploring the reasons behind cat twitching during sleep, it's essential to understand feline sleep patterns. Cats are known for their sleep prowess and often indulge in long periods of slumber. These key points about cat sleep habits set the stage for comprehending their nighttime adventures.

Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during the evening and early morning hours. Consequently, their napping and playtime schedules can be at odds with human preferences.

On average, cats sleep 12 to 13 hours a day, but the actual duration can vary based on factors like age and activity level.

A cat's sleep cycle comprises alternating segments of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. Their cycles are relatively short, with REM sleep lasting two to ten minutes and non-REM sleep extending for 12 to 15 minutes.

During non-REM sleep, cats remain entirely still with some muscle tone, while in REM sleep, muscles are fully relaxed, allowing for occasional bursts of activity, such as limb movement, ear flicking, and tail swishing.

Why Do Cats Twitch in Their Sleep? 6 Reasons

The sight of a cat twitching during sleep can be both amusing and perplexing. Multiple factors can contribute to these intriguing sleep-time movements:

Dreams

Cats, like humans, undergo sleep cycles that include REM and non-REM phases. While we can't be sure if cats dream, their brain activity during REM sleep resembles that of humans during dreaming. As a result, gentle twitching of the face, legs, ears, or tail can be attributed to dream-related activity and is considered a normal part of a cat's sleep.

Allergies

If your cat twitches during sleep, then immediately awakens to groom themselves, it might be a sign of itching. This itching could be due to allergies, fleas, matted fur, or skin infections. Regularly check your cat for fleas and maintain their coat to prevent discomfort. Excessive ear twitching may indicate ear mites or infections.

Seizures

Twitching, shaking, spasms, and tremors can be signs of seizures in cats. Seizures often involve a change in brain activity, and they can occur when a cat is falling asleep or waking up. To differentiate between a normal twitch and a seizure, try gently waking your cat. If it's a normal twitch, they should return to normal quickly, while a cat experiencing a seizure may appear disoriented for 15 minutes to an hour after the event.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms during sleep can resemble normal twitching but are usually more intense. They can be caused by toxins, neurological issues, pain, or sleep disorders. It's challenging to differentiate spasms from regular sleep activity, so capturing a video to show your vet is a useful step if you're concerned.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that involve abnormal behaviors, movements, or vocalizations during sleep. While uncommon in cats, they can be linked to genetic disorders, brain tumors, or metabolic diseases. If your cat exhibits intense and unusual sleep-time activity, contact your vet. Most sleep disorders are diagnosed based on symptoms, observed behavior, and responses to being awakened.

Developing Nervous System

Kittens, with their rapidly developing nervous systems, may twitch more during sleep than adult cats. Research on this topic is limited due to the difficulty of conducting sleep studies on kittens.

Should You Wake Your Cat Up?

Generally, waking your cat when they're twitching during sleep isn't recommended. Doing so abruptly can startle them and cause distress. If you decide to wake them gently, use soothing words and gentle strokes. Remember that your cat's dreamworld is a part of their sleep cycle, and interrupting it can be unpleasant.

Conclusion

In most cases, cat twitching during sleep is entirely normal and a charming aspect of feline slumber. Cats exhibit a range of movements during sleep, and these subtle twitches are usually harmless. However, if you notice intense or unusual behavior, significant changes in sleep patterns, or other signs of distress, it's essential to consult your veterinarian. By understanding your cat's unique sleep habits and being alert to any abnormalities, you can ensure that your feline friend enjoys peaceful and restful nights.