Cat Can't Wake Up

My cat Luna is 4 years old. I adopted her off the street in Korea and the problem didn't start until I brought her back with me to America last year.

Sometimes she can't be woken up when she is sleeping. Last time it happened after a 5 hour car trip and I took a video of it.


Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with her?

I've never seen anything like that before, but it's not normal. Has she been seen by a vet? Could you show this video to your vet and get their opinions?

My guess is it's some neurological problem, which will need a specialist diagnoses and treatment.

Please keep us posted.

Hi Allilang.

Cats do go into a deep sleep phase when they nap. You can see similar videos on YouTube by searching "cat deep sleep". It's possible that the 5 hour car trip stressed her out, and once she was in a safe environment she needed that rest.

Do these events happen after a lot of exercise or play? If so, then the deep sleep sessions are probably normal for her.

Her eyes look clear and bright. If she is eating/drinking/peeing/pooping/playing regularly and doesn't appear sluggish when she's awake, then I doubt this is worrisome.

It's a good idea to have a veterinarian take a blood and urine test on a relatively young and healthy cat, so that you have baseline numbers to compare if she does become ill in the future. A veterinarian health check and blood test would let you know if anything is wrong now, and give you peace of mind if she's in good health.

My cat did that once after a very intense play time, but I generally avoid waking them up directly that way (I can’t think of a reason why). To me also she looks like she’s in a very, very deep sleep. Does she wake up when you place her favorite treats next to her (if she’s food motivated)? I’d try that next instead. I’d do the health check but personally, I wouldn’t stress too much. Good luck!

JUST to be safe, have her checked by the vet, and show him that video. However, Hekitty has gone so deeply asleep that even picking her up and shaking her very gently didn't wake her for a minute or so. When you stroked her, there were muscle twitches around her eyes and whiskers, so she doesn't seem to have been actually "unconscious," per se. Let us know what the vet says!

BTW, she's gorgeous! Welcome to TCS, to BOTH of you!

She eats and plays just fine. She begs me for temptations whenever I am in the kitchen. She always does it when she is snuggled next to mommy. First time was about 2 days after the trip from Korea. Other times seemed to be totally random.

I am building my first home at the moment, so I don't have the disposable income to take her to a vet at the moment. More than likely, there won't be anything they can do for her. If something is wrong medically, and I have some idea of a possible diagnosis that is treatable, I will take her to a vet. All research so far has turned up nothing, so I am here.

I know a person, we jumped on the airbed he was sleeping on sending him airborne to land back down on a cheap air mattress and he probably wouldn’t wake up for the bomb. Maybe you have a cat that sleeps equally deeply. If she doesn’t otherwise seem bothered or distressed, you can maybe just email the video around and skip the vet visit. For now.

lol you cat is so cute, i love that gentle hiss when she finally wakes up lol .

At first i thought maybe she is in a deep sleep, but i think its best to check the breathing, cause even though her meow sounds cute, it sounded like she had some breathing issue and looked a bit disoriented when waking up. But it is like she is in a very,very, deep sleep. She may be exhausted or dehydrated ? Is it hot in america right now ? Sometimes the cold can cause dehydration too.

That's strange. Only through tests by the vet can be done to confirm if there are some issues with her. But usually a cat can easily be waken up. Even when sleeping my cats can hear a door opening, footsteps and most especially when a can of cat food is being opened, even if I do it very very slowly and carefully.

And by the time I know it, they are already up in their paws. LOL.

You have a gorgeous cat, btw.

I also wanted to say in the mean time just watch her reactions when she wakes up, does she seem disorientated like slow to adjust to her surrounding when she wakes up, or if she starts meowing more, looks confused or stare. Other things to watch out for is if she gets irritated or aggressive , or is sleeping more etc.

I think all the changes lately have had her especially stressed and she is falling deeper asleep when she finally does rest. Cats don't show their anxiety. As long as she is eating, sleeping, drinking, and using the litterbox normally, let her adjust for a few months longer and go from there. There is something you might try, have someone she doesn't know, knock loudly on the door, come in and talk loudly in the room. She may not be as laid back. If she is, then something is wrong and should be checked out at the vet's.

Googling "cat is a heavy sleeper" turns up a lot of fun YouTube results.

I think Luna was just totally exhausted that time. It's not like she does this everyday/night, right?

i never seen cats sleep so deeply before lol

Maybe most of us don't jostle our cats around when they fall into the deep sleep phase? Most of my cats would wake up if they fell asleep on my lap and I needed to move them though. I did have one cat who I could lift off my lap and move to a chair without him waking up. He was an extremely social, laid-back cat. Perhaps it's the cat's personality whether they feel 100% secure or feel like they need to be on-guard and wary of their surroundings.

Congrats on the new home, @allilan! I'm sure money is tight, but you might call your vet and ask about charges for blood and urine tests. One of my cats had an eye infection recently (scratched by one of my other cats) and I had a "top 10" blood test run while he was at the vet's office. It was not a full blood panel, but only tests the most common health indicators, and it was very inexpensive.

Here are some more cats in deep sleep.

After watching a kitten I tried to rescue die, I get scared every time I see Luna unresponsive. Luna's twitching is very similar to the final moments of that poor kitten. Luna is my best friend, and it is terrifying to see her in that state.

Now that I finally have some comparison to other deep sleeping cats I can leave her be a little more.

She doesn't do it often, and that time was by far the worst. Normally she is a playful, affectionate, slightly tubby kitty who eats and uses the litter box regularly.

When I blast music, Demi sleeps through it.

After watching these other videos, I think Luna is fine. Look, if she will sleep that deeply, it means that she has utter, complete trust in you and in her surroundings. Consider it a compliment of the highest order!

All cats* twitch in their sleep. It’s part of their dream cycle.

*All cats are different and someone is probably going to say they have the exception. Perhaps I should say it’s perfectly normal for a cat to twitch in her sleep.