The Dream Life of Cats

Cats! Those intelligent and creative balls of fluff are highly proficient in many areas. But did you know that these denizens of dreamland are rated high on the top rung of the talent ladder? Cats are indeed expert in the snoozing department for sure.

Further proof that cats can, and will, sleep anywhere

In fact they are capable of spending up to 23 hours a day in various levels of slumber, ranging from the very light "cat nap" to profound deep sleep.

I get a huge kick out of watching our cats while they are sleeping. Our white Oriental shorthair, Hubble, snores loudly enough to hear him from across the room. I have recently been wondering if he is competing with my husband for the title of "noisiest sleeper in the house".

On the other hand, Hubble's brother, Hush Puppy appears to be the marathon runner of the family, judging from his active paw movement. It really is fun for me to speculate about their sleeping habits.

I am sure if you have ever observed your kitty while in deep sleep, you have noticed paws moving, their ears flickering and whiskers twitching rapidly. You may have also watched them open and retract their claws. You more than likely heard those familiar "chattering" noises which are often made by cats similar to the sounds they make while watching birds, squirrels and other wildlife as they peer out the window, watching the world go by.

So what do these random movements and sounds really mean? Do cats actually dream? And what may they be dreaming about?

Human dreams are often based on memorable experiences and they may toss and turn and talk in their sleep. Similarly, our cats may be recalling or inventing a hunting experience, and may be chattering their frustration about an elusive rodent or bird. They may be remembering a pleasant experience with their human, when being petted and given special attention. There are so many events during a day which cats experience which can influence their dreams.

So if you are curious about your cat's dreams, it might be fun to start your own kitty dream journal and let your imagination work its magic. And who knows; it might be the beginning of a fascinating book on the subject of kitty dreams.

Watch this cute video of a kitty lost in dreamland, uploaded to YouTube by Chinavideos2007

What do you think your cats dream about? Leave us a comment and let us know.