Your cat wanders all night and sleeps most of the day and evening.
You are undoubtedly aware that plenty of humans in society suffer from a sleep deprivation or sleep apnea diagnosis, but can cats have sleep apnea?
Sleep Apnea In Cats: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Sleep apnea in a human is the same as sleep apnea in cats.
Your cat can have obstructive sleep apnea.
Some breathing and respiratory issues are likely to be present if your cat is overweight or has naturally small nasal passages.
Cats sleep an average of twelve to fifteen or more hours per day.
We have rescued cats for over thirty years, and yes, most cats we see sleep during the night and into part of the day.
However, we have also had some cats wandering all night and going to bed when we arise in the morning.
I have never considered that one of my fur babies suffered from a medical condition such as sleep apnea in years of cat care.
Because cats usually sleep a lot in 24 hours, knowing if your cat is not getting enough sleep can be challenging.
And surprisingly, some cats do not get the restful sleep they need.
Know that kittens and seniors require more sleep, up to 80 percent sleep per day.
All other cats between these ages may only require 50 to 70 percent sleep per day.
Talk with your veterinarian about sleep apnea in cats, treatment options and prevention.
Health Problems That May Affect Sleep In Cats
If your cat has a specific heart disease or diabetes diagnosis, you may see sleep apnea symptoms. Cats can suffer from other issues that impede their sleep, such as,
- Narcolepsy
- Insomnia
- Limb movement disorder
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Painful arthritis or other pain issues
However, only your veterinarian can give the correct diagnosis and treatment. Monitor your cat’s behavior and know when to seek medical help.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea In Cats
Sleep apnea causes vibrations in the cat’s nose, mouth, throat, and upper airways during the normal process of breathing.
When the cat is asleep, its sleep turns into a loud snoring noise that does not allow the cat to have a restful sleep.
If the cat has sleep apnea, you may be aware of the following signs.
- Loud snoring
- Abnormal daytime fatigue (the vet must check for infections or underlying health issues)
- Twitching ears during sleep
- Fatigue, lethargy, mood changes
- Wheezing during sleep; decreased oxygen to the lungs
- Obesity
- Allergies
- Respiratory problems such as a respiratory infection
- Congested nose
- Reduced oxygen to the lungs
What Cat Breeds are More Susceptible to Sleep Apnea?
One sign that a cat with a sleep disorder or apnea shows is loud snoring.
Some domestic cats and some cat breeds typically have small nasal passages.
You can hear the cat’s loud breathing and this is normal for some cat breeds.
However, if this breed of cat has sleep apnea or an upper respiratory infection, breathing is that much more difficult.
The following cat breeds have abnormally small nasal passages.
- Short-headed cats
- Persian cats
- Burmese cat
- Himalayan cats
- Exotics
- Some mixed breed domesticated cats
Related Reading: Why do cats curl up and sleep in a ball? Is it more than just keeping warm?
Sleep Apnea versus Snoring
I have a cat who sticks to me like glue. She has always slept in her little cat bed at the foot of my bed. When Mia falls into a deep sleep, as many cats typically do, she starts to snore so loudly I think she will raise the rafters.
Many times she puts my husband’s snoring to shame. This is something I am addressing with the vet at our next wellness visit.
Researchers find that chronic snoring in cats has a lot to do with the shape of their heads and faces. For example, the Himalayan breed of cat has a pushed-in face with tiny nasal passages.
Persian cats present the same facial features, including small nasal passages. When these cats breathe, soft tissues in their nasal and throat tissue vibrate.
