Buzz
If your grumpy house cat constantly seems to behave as if they just woke from a nap, it’s probably because they actually did. On average, a cat spends anywhere from 16 to 20 hours asleep each day. It's not due to laziness or boredom with your company: their inclination to nap is an instinct deeply embedded in their genetics.
Even if your cat is the least energetic member of your household, their instincts are still those of a predator. As noted by PetMD, domestic cats are wired much like their wild counterparts, which means they prioritize conserving energy for a hunt. In your pet’s case, however, 'hunting' likely consists of pouncing on your shoulder or engaging in a toy wrestle after their long nap.
Due to their sleep schedules, cats can appear especially lazy to their human companions. Cats are crepuscular, which the Oakland Veterinary Referral Services describes as being active at dawn and twilight. In the wild, this behavior helps them avoid larger predators that hunt during the day and night. In your home, it simply means your cat is napping during the daylight hours when you're busy working.
Although cats sleep a lot, their slumber isn't particularly deep. As natural predators, they must be prepared to jump into action at any moment. When they sleep, they position themselves in a way that lets them spring into motion at a moment's notice. Their lighter naps occur in 15- to 30-minute intervals, while their deeper, rapid brain movement sleep lasts only about 5 minutes. So, if you want to keep your kitty happy, you might want to reconsider disturbing them during one of their naps.
