Is it possible for kittens to have narcolepsy? (sleeping disorder)?

Question

I dont know how to spell it, but I know that kittens are naturally sleepy, but several times during the day he is very awake and very playful then he passes out and falls asleep, only for a few mintues usually but its so cute and so funny. i can hold him while hes biting my arm, then he just falls asleep. is it possible for him to have a sleeping disorder?

Answer 1

I think that is normal kitten behavior.  Very cute but unlikely is it narcolepsy.

Answer 2

well, it's possible, but not likely. for the record, the videos you see of dogs with narcolepsy are generally research facilities & their test subjects where narcolepsy has purposely been bred into breeds predisposed to this disorder, like poodles or dobermans. and the symptom that most animals exhibit with this disorder is a cataplexy, which isn't a sleep attack, but a loss of muscle tone. (it looks like a faint, yet they are actually awake, kind of like the fainting goats.)

technically, any being which sleeps COULD develop a sleep disorder like this...however, i'd have to say that chances are, your kitten is just showing normal kitten behavior. they play hard, sleep hard, eat hard, nap hard...nothing they do is half-way, lol.

if it seems to be an excessive event or causing problems in other areas for the kitty, i'd suggest heading to the vet for an exam to rule out an neurological problems.

Answer 3

yes it is possible for animals to have narcolepsy--i've seen many videos on those shows with dags falling asleep. no reason why your cat shouldn't have it.