![]() Contact your veterinarian if you have a lethargic kitten.Īs cats age, they often spend more time quietly observing the world around them (or napping), but this isn’t lethargy it’s growing up. They tend to be either fully “on”-running around like maniacs-or fully “off”–resting up for another round. In comparison, healthy kittens are never lethargic. Many illnesses will also make a cat lethargic, so it’s quite likely that a sick or recently vaccinated cat will be lethargic. This happens because the immune response generated by a vaccine can make cats feel tired, achy, and generally unwell. For example, cats that have just been vaccinated are often lethargic. Technically, lethargy in cats is never normal, but it is sometimes expected. Lethargic cats often do sleep more than normal, but their lethargy remains unless the underlying problem is addressed. If you’re up too late, you’ll be tired the next day but will feel fine once you get some extra sleep. Tiredness is a temporary state that resolves with rest or sleep. What’s the Difference Between a Lethargic Cat and a Tired Cat?Ī lethargic cat can look a lot like a tired cat, but there is an important difference. In many cases, lethargy is the body’s way of conserving energy to fight off illness or heal from injury. Put simply, lethargy is a cat slowing down when they don’t feel good. Lethargy can be defined as an abnormal decrease in a cat’s activity level and alertness. Here’s how to tell the difference between a tired cat and a lethargic cat, some possible causes of the lethargy, and what you should do. If so, your cat is showing the classic signs of lethargy. Cats feel more secure when enclosed in small, tight spaces.Is your cat lying around more than normal? Do they seem drowsy or “out of it?” Are they not interested in what’s going on around them? If your cat is sleeping curled in a tight ball and displays any of these physical traits, it’s in pain:Ĭats don’t just purr for pleasure it’s also a way to self-soothe when in pain.Ī cat in discomfort will often curl up in a box or similar enclosed space as it wants to be left alone until the pain passes. This resting position is a means of relief. In the mind of a cat, pain is a sign of weakness. Unlike other animals, cats hide in dark places to avoid detection. Experiencing PainĬats will rarely reveal that they’re in physical discomfort. Left untreated, this can lead to hypothermia. Warm your cat up as cats can’t sustain a body temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit for long. These symptoms vary from moderate to severe. Illnesses that lead to low body temperature in cats include: Don’t check a cat’s temperature while it sleeps. If a cat’s body temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s at risk of hypothermia. If necessary, apply more heat sources to a cat’s bed. Cats need a room temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit to remain comfortable. If you find your cat in this position, check the ambient temperature. ![]() Low Body TemperatureĪs Science explains, cats lose heat through their eats and footpads during sleep, and this position protects these extremities. Cat Sleeping in a BallĪ cat curled up in a ball is common during the colder months, as this position is how a cat remains warm. It’s unwilling to fall into a deep sleep in case it needs to react quickly to changing circumstances. If your cat always slept alone but now looks for company, it may be feeling unwell, so the cat is seeking comfort and protection while it rests.Ī sick cat may also sleep with one or both eyes open, implying that it feels vulnerable. This position makes breathing easier and reduces pressure on the joints.Īlso, check for other changes in your cat’s sleeping routine. This position offers fast access to claws and teeth for protection.ĭifficulty breathing or muscular pain. Vulnerability means that your cat doesn’t want to fall into a deep sleep.įeelings of insecurity. Low body temperature or the cat is protecting a sore or injured body part Low body temperature as this position keeps a cat warm or reduces pain. The table below details common sleeping positions in sick cats and what they may mean: Curled in a Ball
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