Have you ever wondered if your cat spends most of the day lounging around? Recent research using accelerometers to track cat behavior has revealed that domestic cats are indeed surprisingly lazy!
Study Setup
Researchers fitted accelerometers on collars worn by 28 neutered domestic cats (17 females and 11 males) to monitor their movements. Data were collected over seven days in both summer and winter seasons. The study aimed to understand how factors like sex, age, and living environment affect cats' activity levels. They also categorized the eight most common behaviors to analyze what cats actually do throughout the day.
Key Findings on Cat Behavior
Very Limited Active Time
The cats were active only about 3% of the day, which translates to less than 45 minutes daily. Kittens and cats accustomed to going outdoors tended to be more active. Activity was slightly lower in winter compared to summer. Indoor cats showed consistent laziness regardless of season. Peak activity times were early morning and late evening, varying slightly by season.
Eating and Grooming
Cats spent roughly 5.5% of their day eating, with rural cats eating more frequently than urban ones. Grooming took up a similar amount of time (about 5.5%), but older cats groomed less than younger ones.
Bathroom and Claw Care
Bathroom breaks were efficient, taking less than six minutes daily on average. Claw sharpening and cleaning took about 17 minutes per day, surprisingly low for such meticulous animals.
Sitting, Lying, and Daydreaming
The most dominant activities were sitting and lying down, each accounting for 37% of the day-meaning cats spend nearly three-quarters of their time just sitting or lying, seemingly daydreaming. Female cats in multi-cat households lay down more than males. Single cats spent more time daydreaming than those in multi-cat homes. Cats preferred lying over sitting, and sitting over standing whenever possible.
Standing Still
Despite their laziness, cats still spent about 13% of their day standing (around 3 hours). While standing, they were generally more alert than when sitting or lying, but still not very active.
Summary
This comprehensive accelerometer study confirms what many cat owners suspect: domestic cats are masters of relaxation, spending the vast majority of their day inactive or resting. Their activity peaks during dawn and dusk, and their grooming and eating habits vary with age and environment. These findings provide a fascinating, data-driven glimpse into the daily life of our feline companions.
