Kittens

How Much Do Kittens Sleep?(Facts&Advise)

An average cat naps for 18 hours per day, and kittens nap even longer! When caring for newborns or new kittens, you may be wondering how much they should sleep.

An excellent way to make sure that your new addition is adjusting to their new life and their own space is to learn more about the appropriate sleeping arrangements and schedule for them.

To find out when kittens begin to sleep through the night, keep reading. Learn how much sleep is typical for young cats as well as what to do if your kitten isn’t getting enough rest. Lastly, find out if kittens should be permitted to sleep in bed with their owners and when to call a vet regarding sleep abnormalities.

The sleeping habits of your kitten are a complex subject. If anything is urgent to either you or the cat, reach out to a veterinarian as soon as possible to get their professional opinion. Establishing a schedule as soon as you can is also a good idea. Your kitten’s transition into it will be made easier by doing this.

Newborn Kitten Sleeping Pattern

During the first week, your kitten may sleep for more than 20 hours every day or 90% of the time! Her slumber is light, disturbed by brief, swift contractions of the muscles in her face and ears, and she may make very small noises. She is experiencing “rapid sleep” (sometimes referred to as paradoxical sleep or Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep). You might also observe that your infant sleeps next to her mother or with her siblings. She sleeps in this position out of instinct to stay warm and feel safe since she can’t yet control her own body temperature. Keep in mind that your kitten may grow by a factor of two in the first week of her life and that such rapid growth necessitates plenty of sleep. Sleep, among other things, promotes learning and memorization while also allowing your little friend to relax.

How Much Sleep is Normal for Kittens?

Kittens have a reputation for sleeping a lot, much like newborn humans do. The amount of sleep that is “normal” for a kitten will depend on how old they are. The amount of sleep that kittens get when they are young tends to be a little bit higher than it is when they are a few months old.

A kitten will typically sleep for 16 to 20 hours each day. So, if your kitten seems to be sleeping a lot, don’t worry. Reach out to your veterinarian to get confirmation that everything is fine if you think it is abnormal or if their behavior has recently changed. Your mind will be more at ease as a result.

Your kitten will sleep for about 90% of the time, or about 22 hours, from birth to two weeks of age. Your kitten will start to grow their senses and become more active once they are between three weeks and two months old. They’ll get less sleep as a result.

When your kitten is three months old and older, they will sleep for roughly 18 hours every day. This is comparable to how much an adult cat would weigh. Furthermore, it’s critical to permit your kitten to sleep uninterrupted if you notice them doing so.

The most important lesson to learn from this is that when your cat is a kitten, you can anticipate them to sleep a lot. It would also be a good idea to consult a veterinarian if you ever have any doubts about how much sleep your cat is getting, whether you worry that it is too much or not enough.

Read more: Why Is My Kitten Crying: Reasons And How To Soothe – Everything Pets

Why So Much Sleep?

The body of your new kitten is actively working even though it may not seem like it because he is peacefully dozing off. These frequent catnaps are essential for the growth of his brain and central nervous system. The muscles and bones that give this species its athleticism and grace are toned and strengthened by sleeping time in young kittens. Even your kitten’s immune system is maintained in top condition by sleep. Your kitten will become agitated and even more susceptible to infections and illnesses if it doesn’t get enough sleep.

Also rooted in evolution is kittens’ apparent incessant sleeping. In order to conserve energy, the predators that gave rise to your adorable kitten spent most of the day sleeping and only occasionally going on hunts. This is still evident in the sleeping habits of your new kitten. Young wildcats were kept safe in their nest, sound asleep for most of the day, and hidden from predators.

Cats Sometimes Sleep More When They’re Sick

When they are sick, cats occasionally sleep more and exhibit generalized lethargy. Once you have a better understanding of how much sleep your cat typically requires, you will be able to determine if she appears to be sleeping excessively. She might act drowsy, have less energy, and not play around the house as much as usual if she’s feeling under the weather. Cats that are ill may consume less food or liquids, which may make them feel more exhausted. Make a quick appointment with your veterinarian if you believe your cat is sleeping excessively.

Do Kittens Sleep Through the Night?

It is best to be reasonable when setting expectations for how much sleep your new kitten will get at night. While sometimes kittens do sleep through the night, sometimes they also do not.

Do not be alarmed if your kitten appears to be waking up frequently during the night; this is also typical for young kittens.

Kittens are known to sleep a lot and do so because they like to. In fact, you should plan on your kitten sleeping for up to half the day. The truth is that kittens don’t always work during those hours when their human owners are sleeping as well.

In general, cats are most active at dawn and dusk. In order to adapt to their new surroundings, your new cat must also do so.

It’s therefore normal for your kitten to need a few nights to get used to their new environment. As a result, you might spend more time awake than usual at night with your new kitten.

My Kitten So Active at Night

If your cat seems to sleep all day, he may not be sleeping through the night as you may have noticed. Some cats will cuddle up next to you at night, and once you’ve drifted off, they’ll get up and explore the rest of the house.

Your cat must sleep during the day while you are awake if he is awake at night while you are sleeping. He’ll appear to be sleeping more than he actually is. If you suspect this to be the case, consider installing a camera in your home that will record while you are sleeping. If your cat was active at night and is catching up on sleep during the day, check it when you wake up.

What Should I Do If My Kitten Isn’t Sleeping Enough?

In the case that you feel your kitten is not sleeping enough, there are several steps that you can take to help bolster their sleep routine and support a healthier one. Working with a veterinarian to make sure there isn’t anything physically wrong with their health should be your first step.

Once you have successfully completed that step, you can embark on the journey of creating a sleep schedule for your new addition, providing them with a place to sleep, tiring them out during the day, feeding them a later meal, and introducing sleep objects.

Establish a Sleeping Schedule

Despite the fact that cats sleep for an extensive amount of time each day, the unfortunate truth is that they might not always sleep when you want them to. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to change your sleeping patterns.

Making a schedule for their kitten’s sleep should be the first step for kitten owners. Establishing a sleep schedule will give your cat the routine she needs to thrive. You can successfully accomplish this by following the steps listed below. Maintaining a routine can also be beneficial.

Give Them a Wonderful Place to Sleep

Your kitten will probably let you know that they take naps whenever and wherever they please. Making a bed that your cat will want to sink into and sleep in could be helpful if it’s hard for them to get to sleep at night.

A warm, comfortable cat bed is a great idea. There is a range of different cat bed styles on the market, so it might take some experimentation to find one that your cat gravitates towards. If a cat bed helps your cat sleep through the night, it’s a purchase that will be worthwhile.

Tire Them Out During the Day

A sleepy, content cat is one that is exhausted. If you want your cat to sleep through the night, you can tire them out during the daytime. Your cat may wake up during the night if they are eager for playtime, which is one of the possible causes.

Playing with your kitten will help to exhaust them and make them more receptive to sleep later when the rest of your house is asleep.

It’s important to be careful not to overdo it; if your young kitten ever seems exhausted while you are playing, it is a great idea to give them some time to unwind. To help your cat develop a better sleep schedule, playtime in moderation can be a successful strategy.

Feed Them a Later Meal

Adjusting your cat’s mealtime can also help your kitty get more sleep. It’s possible that your cat’s lack of sleep during the night is related to hunger. In addition, feeding your cat at a later time can be helpful because kittens, like a lot of animals, get sleepy after they eat a big meal.

Introduce Sleep Objects

Last but not least, you can introduce a memento of your cat’s previous residence. This could be a toy with the scent of their mother cat or a blanket. These can offer comfort if they are having trouble sleeping as a result of taking some time to adjust to their new home.

Kitten

Should I Let My Kitten Sleep in My Bed?

While cuddling with your kitten can be a lot of fun, letting a young kitten sleep on your bed is not a good idea. The unfortunate truth is that if you let your kitten sleep on your bed with you, you might unintentionally hurt them. You might unintentionally hurt them if you roll over in the middle of the night, or even worse.

Furthermore, once you set this precedent by allowing them to do this once, it will be challenging to convince your cat to sleep anywhere other than in your bed. As a result, it’s not the best idea if you don’t intend to let your cat use your bed for a long time. Cats sleep where they feel safe, so if they choose your bed, it’s a compliment.

When Should I Call My Vet?

It may be time to seek a veterinarian’s expert advice on what to do if you have tried all of the aforementioned suggestions to help your cat sleep more soundly without success. In addition, if you find that your cat is sleeping in excess or that their sleeping habits have recently changed dramatically, a call to the vet might prove revealing.

It’s best to err on the side of caution with young cats. It is best for the safety of your new pet and your peace of mind to speak to a vet if something about your kitten’s sleep schedule feels out of the ordinary to you.

FAQ

Is It OK to Ignore Kitten at Night?

In conclusion, when your cat meows at night, you must ignore it completely and perfectly in order not to encourage the behavior. The cat may not become hungry or come up with inventive ways to get your attention if you keep it occupied at night.

How Long Can 2-Month-Old Kittens Be Left Alone?

Kittens under 4 months old shouldn’t be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. If you know that your lifestyle will require your cat to get used to being alone, start training them by gradually increasing the amount of time you are gone from the house.