I never had any idea about the different sleeping habits of different breeds of cats. Just like many other people, I thought cats wake up and go to sleep just as we do.
But, my misconception came to end when I adopted three cats, two of them being the furry beauties, Persian cats.
After raising them from kittens of 4 to 5 months to now adults, spending time with them, and understanding their behaviors, and nature, now I can tell a lot about them.
So, are Persian cats nocturnal? No, Persian cats are not nocturnal. Though most people think that domestics cats like the Persian cats are nocturnal, but the fact is that they are not. Rather, Persian cats are more crepuscular which means that they are active mostly during the twilight hours which are dusk and dawn.
The even-tempered, docile and usually quiet Persian cats are not nocturnal animals, unlike the myth where domesticated cats are believed to nocturnal.
Though Persian cats do enjoy sleeping during the day, it does not mean that they stay awake or become most active during the night. Rather, it is during early morning and evening where they stay most active.
Read on to find out in detail about Persian cats and why they are not considered to be nocturnal.
Reasons Why Persian Cats Are Not Nocturnal
What does nocturnal mean exactly?
Any animal that is more active during the night time compared to the daytime is called nocturnal. If your cats tend to be active during the night and sleeps for hours throughout the day, then they are nocturnal.
Usually, nocturnal animals adapt to the darkness of the night. And it is because of them being nocturnal that they have big eyes which help them with seeing better and hunting during the night.
Depending on the animals’ hunting patterns, they become active during different hours of the day and night. For nocturnal animals, they mainly hunt during the night.
Why Persian Cats Are Not Nocturnal
Primarily, cats are known to be nocturnal animals. And it is due to their ancestry that domesticated cats or house cats are often believed to be nocturnal as well.
And wild cats and feral cats are actually nocturnal as they hunt and stay active during the night-time. But domesticated Persian cats are not nocturnal. Yes, there are some house cats that do not show any nocturnal behaviors, and Persian cats are one of them.
Cats can alter the time of their activity level at will and can turn into a less nocturnal animal and more diurnal or crepuscular animal. Since domesticated Persian cats tend to stay indoors and like spending time with their owner, they adapt less nocturnal behaviors.
Persian cats neither have to go out to hunt during the night when catching prey become easier for cats or any nocturnal animal nor do they spend the maximum hours of the daytime sleeping.
Yes, being lazy, quiet and not so active at all, Persian cats do like to keep it to themselves and sit for hours on their owner’s lap or some furniture and even have a nap during the day.
However, they prefer to stay awake when their owners are around them which is certainly not at all during the night time.
All About Persian Cats Being Crepuscular
What Is Crepuscular?
The term crepuscular stands for those animals that are active during the twilight hours which are the dawn and the dusk. Though crepuscular animals are often mistaken with nocturnal animals, it is not the night hours but the twilight that they become most active.
This waking pattern of crepuscular animals is related and due to their feeding patterns.
Animals usually adapt to the crepuscular cycle in order to avoid the competition for food with other predators or become more successful in catching their prey during dawn or dusk or just to keep away from hunting during the hottest hours of the day.
Why Persian Cats Are Considered To Be Crepuscular
Though it is believed that all cats are nocturnal by birth, but some house cat breeds adapt to the crepuscular cycle. Some of the domesticated cats like the Persian cats become crepuscular as a result of adapting to its owner’s schedules and feeding patterns.
Remember, unlike the common notion, cats don’t have night vision and they are unable to see in complete darkness.
But, it is during low lighting that they can see which helps them hunt during the night such as feral cats or wild cats.
Persian cats do not have to go for traditional hunting and are usually fed or given their bowls of foods by the owners during the morning and then again in the evening which lead them to adapt to this feeding schedule and show crepuscular behaviors.
Plus, house cats such as Persian cats like enjoying the company and the attention of their owners.
Since humans are diurnal which means that they stay active during the day and sleep during the night, Persian cats start adapting to their owner’s routine and turn crepuscular over being nocturnal.
Why Do Persian Cats Sleep During The Day If Not Nocturnal?
Many Persian cat owners often end up thinking that their cats are nocturnal as the cats spend a considerable amount of time during the day sleeping.
But, wait, it is common for house cats to sleep for hours during the day. Cats tend to sleep more than humans and for Persian cats; they sleep for around 12 to 16 hours a day.
Hence, along with sleeping during the night, they sleep at different times during the day but it doesn’t make them nocturnal. Persian cats become most active during their feeding time which is usually at dawn and dusk.
And also, being indoor cats, the Persian cats do not have to worry about finding their prey or staying safe from other predators, which results in them relaxing through the day, making it look like as if they are sleeping the entire day.
Plus, Persian cats are not that active, and therefore they don’t have much to do during the day as well, resulting in resting the day.
Since Persian cats adapt to the schedule of their owners, if you engage with your cats more during the night time, it is likely to stay awake during the night just to be and play with you and more likely to use the daytime taking rest.
Related Questions
How is the personality of the Persian cats? Persian cats are placid, docile and lazy. They prefer quiet and calm home environments and often exhibit sudden bursts of excitement or kitten-like activities. They like to sit on the lap of the owner or a piece of furniture for hours, are usually friendly, and prefer to stay indoors.
Do Persian cats require high maintenance? Though Persian cats are indoor cats and non-hyperactive, they require high maintenance. This feline breed not only needs a lot of care but also require regular veterinary attention and grooming. For example, they require bathing with proper cat shampoo once a week to ensure a clean and shiny coat.
How long can Persian cats be alone? It may seem that cats can take care of themselves, but they cannot. And especially when they are Persian cats, it is better not to leave them alone for long. While an adult Persian cat can stay alone for around 24 to 48 hours, a kitten (4 months old) should not be left alone for more than 4 hours.
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