Cat sleeping, and sleeping, and sleeping

xkarebear

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
1
Purraise
0
I recently adopted Pinky from the local humane center. Ever since she got here, she seems to be sleeping ALL the time. Today, she got up occasionally to use the litter box, to receive 5 minutes or so of petting, to drink water, or to eat food. Then she'd go right back to her hour/2hour long naps.

Pinky is currently 5 years old, and from the look of things, of smaller build than other cats her age. 

Is this behavior normal? Or should we bring her to the vet?
 

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
to TCS!
A vet check-up is always a good idea after adopting a (shelter) pet. If she's sleeping more than 16 hours a day, illnesses should be ruled out. How long has she been with you? Was she vaccinated at the shelter before you brought her home?
 

maewkaew

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
1,821
Purraise
155
Location
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Cats sleep on average about 14 hours a day, and some cats sleep up to 20 hours in a day without there being something wrong with them. If your cat is sleeping more like 23 hours a day, I would be concerned. If she is sleeping that sort of amount I think I might get her to a vet and just get a panel of the basic tests run ( CBC and Blood Chemistry and Urinalysis) It may not be a physical problem, though, it may be a reaction to the change in her life. If she was very stressed out at the humane society , maybe afraid of all the sounds and smells of strange animals, it may be she finally feels safe to go to sleep. but it might also be a sort of depression symptom. It can be very hard for a cat to be uprooted from their former home, spend time in a shelter and go to a new home. Maybe a former owner died? or even if they didn't, the cat's reaction to being abandoned can still be like grief.
Does she show any interest in toys, like if you get a wand toy /fishing pole toy, with stick and some kind of string/ flexible strip, with furry or feathery toy on the end, and start slowly moving that like prey? Some cats by 5 years old already are not so playful, but it's worth trying.Plus just keep showing some affection ( to the point she's comfortable with it) and spending time with her just sitting by her, talking softly to her etc.
Thanks for adopting and I hope she is fine and adjusts well.
 
Top