Herbie Murray
Kittens sleep a lot, with newborn kittens sleeping for around 22 hours per day. As they grow, they spend less time sleeping and more time playing and exploring. Kittens also undergo significant teething between three to six months, which can impact their sleep. When a kitten first joins a new home, it may be the first time they've ever been separated from their mother or littermates, so they may feel anxious or stressed and may want to sleep close to a human or another pet for warmth and comfort. It is recommended that kittens sleep in a warm, quiet, comfortable, and secure space, such as a cosy bed with a small blanket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Kittens sleep for 18-20 hours per day. |
| Sleep pattern | Kittens do not sleep through the night. They are more active at night than humans. |
| Sleeping location | Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure. |
| Sleeping environment | Kittens should have a cosy bed and a small blanket to cuddle with. |
| Sleeping with humans | Kittens may feel safer sleeping close to a human or another pet. |
| Sleeping alone | It is generally fine to let kittens have some independence during the night, as long as they are in a safe space. |
| First night | Kittens should be allowed to sleep in their own room for a few nights in a warm and comfortable space. |
| Sleeping habits | Kittens' sleeping habits gradually settle as they grow, with adult cats averaging around 16 hours of sleep per day. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kittens need a lot of sleep, up to 22 hours a day for newborns
- Kittens may feel safer sleeping with another pet or human
- Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure
- Kittens can sleep alone with access to food, water, and toys
- Kittens may sleep less as they get older and more playful
Kittens need a lot of sleep, up to 22 hours a day for newborns
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day when they are newborns. This gradually decreases to about 18 hours daily by the time they are a few months old. Kittens' sleep is split into cycles, with around five minutes of REM sleep followed by 20 to 25 minutes of deeper rest.
Kittens need a lot of sleep to support their rapid growth and development. They also have a lot of energy, and the more activity and playtime they have, the more rest they will need to recover. It is important to prioritize sleep for older kittens, as they are still developing rapidly.
When a kitten first joins your family, it may be the first time they have ever slept alone. Young kittens may want to snuggle up with you for warmth and comfort. To help your kitten feel more secure if they are sleeping in their own bed, you could get them a microwavable heat pad (used with covers to prevent burns) or a teddy to snuggle up against.
Kittens should sleep in a cozy, warm place where they feel safe and protected. Their bed should be placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. A 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate can work well for the early days or weeks, especially if there are other pets or children in the home.
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Kittens may feel safer sleeping with another pet or human
Kittens require a lot of sleep to support their rapid growth and development. A newborn kitten spends about 22 hours of the day sleeping. This reduces to 18 hours by the time they are three months old. Kittens are naturally more active at night than humans, so it is common for them to wake up frequently, especially in a new environment.
It is important to prepare your kitten's environment before they arrive home, as this will be the first time they have ever been separated from their mother or littermates, and they may feel anxious or stressed. They should be placed in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure. A closed-off room in your home, such as a bathroom or bedroom, is ideal for their first few nights. Their bed should be cosy and snug, and placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. It is best if their bed is low to the ground, as this is safest for young kittens.
Kittens should be left to sleep for as long as they like, as a lot of vital developmental and growth functions take place during sleep. Interrupted or lack of sleep can be harmful to kittens.
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Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure
A 2-month-old kitten is still very young and will need a lot of sleep—up to 18 to 20 hours per day. Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure. This will help them feel relaxed and safe, especially if they have recently been separated from their mother and littermates.
It is important to prepare your kitten's environment before they arrive home. A cosy, snug bed or blanket placed in a quiet area of the home is ideal. A kitten's bed should be low to the ground for safety reasons and to make them feel snug and secure. A 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate can also work well, especially if there are other pets or young children in the home.
Kittens often feel safer sleeping close to another pet or human. If you want your kitten to sleep close to you, you could try sleeping on a floor-level bed temporarily. Alternatively, you could provide them with a microwavable heat pad (with a cover to prevent burns) or a teddy bear to snuggle up against.
It is generally fine to let your kitten sleep alone at night, as long as they are in a safe, warm, and comfortable space. Dr Mader recommends putting your kitten to bed in their own room but leaving the door open so they can explore other potential sleeping spots. Just be sure to kitten-proof any areas they'll have access to.
Kittens are naturally more active at night, so don't be surprised if they wake up regularly, especially in a new environment. They may also have bursts of energy during the night, which can lead to disrupted sleep if they're sleeping in your bed. It's important to wait until your kitten is larger and has had full health clearance from a veterinarian before letting them sleep in your bed.
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Kittens can sleep alone with access to food, water, and toys
Kittens sleep a lot, and they need to sleep for around 22 hours per day when they are newborn. By the time they are two months old, they will need slightly less sleep, but still a lot – around 18-20 hours per day. Kittens do not usually sleep through the night and will commonly wake up frequently, especially in a new environment. They are naturally more active at night, as this is when they would hunt and catch prey.
Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable place where they feel safe and protected. A bed low to the ground is best, and you can provide a microwavable heat pad or a teddy bear to help your kitten feel more secure. It is also a good idea to kitten-proof the room and any other areas they will have access to.
Kittens should be allowed to sleep for as long as they like, as sleep allows their bodies to focus energy on rapid growth. If your kitten seems tired or lacks energy when they wake up, you should contact your vet to check everything is okay.
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Kittens may sleep less as they get older and more playful
Kittens sleep a lot—a newborn kitten sleeps for around 22 hours per day. As they get older, they sleep less and become more playful. By the time they are three months old, they'll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night. This isn't far from the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average around 16 hours per day.
Kittens are known for their high energy levels, but they also require a lot of sleep to support their rapid growth and development. Sleep allows the body to focus its energy on growth, and many vital developmental and growth functions take place during sleep. Interrupted or lack of sleep can be harmful to kittens.
As your kitten gets older, you can stimulate them both mentally and physically with active play during the daytime. This will help them nap less when you are awake and sleep more at night. Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. These sleeping habits are programmed into cats, who, even if they are well-fed pets, were designed to hunt for their food. Hunting requires a lot of effort, and cats need to be fully rested to have the best chance of catching their next meal.
As your kitten becomes a young cat, you can discover more about adult feline napping habits. You can also help your kitten sleep through the night by feeding them wet food half an hour before bedtime. Wet food will encourage them to settle down with a fuller tummy, and it slowly releases energy throughout a 24-hour period. Conversely, dry food contains higher levels of carbohydrates, which can quickly release unwanted bursts of energy when fed at bedtime, thus affecting how long your kitten will sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
A kitten's bed should be warm, comfortable, and placed somewhere they won't be disturbed. Kittens may feel safer if they sleep close to a human or another pet. It's best to keep the kitten's bed low to the ground, and you can provide a microwavable heat pad or a teddy bear for comfort.
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 20 hours a day. They may also have short bursts of frantic energy between napping.
Feeding your kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime may help them settle down with a full tummy. Active play during the day will also help them sleep more at night.
It's generally fine to let your kitten have some independence at night, as long as they're in a safe space and have access to food, water, and a litter tray.
