17. Sleep: domestic cat
Although domestic cats have owners to provide their food for them, they are still biologically adapted to conserve energy to ensure survival. Provide cats with a variety of places to sleep so that they can rotate their sleeping place, just as African wildcats do. It is a good idea to provide cats with a scratching post next to their chosen sleeping area. If it is appropriate for use (tall enough for cats to stretch to full height and sturdy enough for them to lean into), and in the correct location, it is likely they will use this for scratching, rather than furniture or carpet!
Cats like high places to sleep as they feel safe.
Image author - Cats Protection/VET Team, licence - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cats are masters of finding the warmest, most cosy place in the house!
Image author - Cats Protection/VET Team, licence - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Did you know that it is a good idea to provide cats with a scratching post next to their sleeping area? If it is appropriate for use and in the correct location, it is likely they will scratch this when they wake up rather than using furniture or carpet.
