Everyone knows cats sleep a lot. A lot. This results in interesting relationship dynamics between a cat parent and the cat herself. I am sure you must have seen cats waking their mom or dad up at 5 AM for food, water, and love. Some like that but many potential owners look to find if there is a way around that.
Ragdoll cats are one of the most preferred cat breeds across the world. Therefore, so many people ask varied questions about their temperament, personality, and general behavior. In this article, let us talk about their schedule, sleep patterns, and if they are the kind of breed that will wake you up early in the morning. When you finish the article, you will hopefully learn a little more about ragdoll cats, their schedules, routines, and patterns.
Are ragdoll cats nocturnal?
No, ragdolls are not nocturnal, meaning they are not active throughout the night. They, however, are like most other cats—crepuscular—meaning they tend to show relatively more activity at dusk and dawn.
I know; I have piqued your curiosity now. Don’t worry, by the time you finish the article, I will lead your curiosity to a happy conclusion.
Types of Animals Based on Sleep Patterns
This is the section where I explain types of animals based on their activity times or sleeping patterns. I know most of you are aware of what nocturnal animals are—those that are active at night, right? But what do you call animals that are the opposite of that? Or what about those that exhibit qualities of both nocturnal and diurnal patterns?
Nocturnals
Only those animals that are active ‘throughout’ the night can be called nocturnals. Daytime is their sleep time, and they engage in activity through the night. Examples are bats, skunks, and owls.
Many reasons exist as to why some animals adapt to this kind of lifestyle. One big reason is the weather conditions. Many nocturnal animals live in desert or desert-like conditions and avoid daytime owing to the heat. Another reason is to prevent competition from diurnal animals.
Diurnals
If nocturnal animals are active at night, diurnal animals are their opposites. Diurnal animals are active during the day and sleep throughout the night. Yes, you guessed it right: humans are diurnal beings. Most primates, mammals, reptiles, and birds are diurnals. The primary reason for diurnal adaptations is being able to use light for hunting and gathering.
Crepuscular Animals
Crepuscular animals are active during dusk and dawn. You could categorize them as a bit of both diurnals and nocturnals or neither. This is because they can sleep both during the day and at night, and their sleeping patterns are adjusted to be most active during dusk and dawn.
Dawn and dusk are the cooler parts of the day, allowing them to hunt with ease while avoiding threats from nocturnals and diurnals. Examples include deer, porcupines, black-tailed jackrabbits, and cats.
So, contrary to what many people think, cats are not nocturnal animals because they sleep at night and for most of the day. Cats, including ragdolls, love to run around at dusk—this is when they are at the peak of their energy. Evening times are convenient for most people; it’s the early morning hours when they decide to run around that can become incredibly inconvenient for their owners.
Ragdoll Cats’ Persona and Temperament
Now that we know that ragdoll cats, like all other cats, are crepuscular animals, can you do something to ensure they don’t disturb your sleep deep into the night or early morning? Well, of course, you can. However, you must first understand the inherent demands of a ragdoll cat’s personality. You can only ask an innocent animal to behave differently by addressing the core demands of its personality.
What kind of personality do ragdoll cats have? They are among the sweetest, most gentle, calm, loving, and affectionate cats you can own. People who have had one often refer to them as the dogs of the cat world due to their dog-like devotion and affection towards their owners. Their size is visibly large, and it seems the size of their body is proportional to the size of their heart.
Ragdoll cats are very accommodating, docile, and patient. They get along exceptionally well with other pets and love attention. When you provide timely affection, they will reward you with unending love and loyalty. Yes, Ragdolls are a laid-back, quiet cat breed, but don’t mistake them for being lazy—they are a muscular and energetic breed that requires daily playtime, exercise, and attention.
Of course, their demands aren’t as stark as a Siamese or Bengal cat’s, but they carry excess energy that needs to be expended via exercise and play. This point is crucial in the context of this article, so keep it in mind. Additionally, it’s important to note that ragdolls can be left alone only for a short time. These cats thrive in the company of others; without it, they may experience boredom, sleeplessness, and anxiety.
Ragdoll Cat Sleeping Patterns
Let’s talk about the sleep routine you can expect from your ragdoll. However, this isn’t set in stone. Many factors come into play, such as how much exercise your ragdoll gets, whether she has a playmate, and how much you engage with her. On average, cats (including ragdolls) sleep around 16-20 hours a day. This amount is more than double the time humans sleep!
Ragdolls are the ideal lap cats, and if you work from home, I wouldn’t be surprised if she curls up on your lap for a couple of hours. Cats sleeping throughout the day is beneficial as it affords you more time to work and do your own thing. However, they often wake up between 4-5 AM, which can be a rude awakening for many owners.
While many cats enjoy their human’s company, many, including ragdolls, want their needs for food, water, and play met at that early hour. This is often seen as an innocent gesture in their eyes, where they view their humans as an extended family—just as they might bring dead birds to you.
What to Do If Your Ragdoll Wakes You Up Early?
What can you do to ensure that your ragdoll doesn’t bother you early in the morning? To be honest, there are no concrete methods but some reasonable steps that you can take. If you take care of her basic needs and the demands of a ragdoll cat’s personality, you will maintain a harmonious relationship.
- Use gravity feeders to keep enough food and water that lasts through the night.
- Keep quiet toys accessible in the morning. This helps if attention and playtime are what she prefers early on.
- Close access to your bedroom. Initially, she might find this difficult, but eventually, she will learn the boundaries.
- Do NOT punish your cat. Cats act out of habit; punishing them only confuses and scares them. Instead, create gentle boundaries.
- Do NOT get up and feed your cat in the morning. Avoid rewarding her for waking you up, or this behavior will continue.
- Avoid playing with her first thing in the morning. Keep her toys accessible but focus on playtime during appropriate hours.
- Provide exercise and playtime in the evenings to help expend her energy, ensuring a good night’s rest.
FAQs
- Do Ragdoll cats wake their owners up in the morning?
- Yes, many Ragdoll cats wake their owners up early in the morning for food, water, and companionship.
- How many hours do Ragdoll cats sleep?
- Ragdoll cats typically sleep around 16-20 hours a day.
- Are Ragdoll cats good with other pets?
- Yes, Ragdoll cats are known to be friendly and get along well with other pets.
- Can Ragdoll cats be left alone for long periods?
- Ragdoll cats can be left alone for a short time, but they thrive on companionship and attention.
- What are some common behaviors of Ragdoll cats?
- Ragdoll cats are known for their gentle, affectionate, and calm demeanor, often being compared to dogs for their loyalty.
