Evie Summers
Kittens sleep a lot—this is normal. A newborn kitten will sleep for around 22 hours per day, and an eight-week-old kitten can sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day. As they grow older, they will sleep less, but a kitten that is six months or older will still sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day. Kittens sleep a lot because they are growing, and this takes a lot of energy. They also sleep to conserve energy for hunting. If your kitten is lively and eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, they are probably fine. However, if your kitten is sleeping a lot and not playing when they are awake, it could be a sign of a medical issue, so you should consult your vet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average sleep time | 16-18 hours a day |
| Sleep time at night | 6-7 hours |
| Energy conservation | Sleeps to conserve energy for hunting |
| Developmental spurts | Need more sleep during growth spurts |
| Lack of nutritious food | An imbalanced diet may cause drowsiness |
| Overfeeding | Longer sleep periods |
| Seasons | Sleep more during winter or rainy months |
| Boredom | Sleep more if they have nothing to do |
| Dehydration | Rely on food for moisture |
| Age | Sleep less as they grow older |
| Activity | Active at dawn and dusk |
| Sleep location | A cosy, snug bed or blanket |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens sleep less as they get older
Kittens are naturally curious and energetic, and they will be eager to explore their surroundings as soon as they open their eyes. They may also be more active at night, meowing and playing. This is perfectly normal, especially if they have plenty of toys to play with. However, if your kitten is meowing frequently and you are concerned that they are not just playing, you should ensure they have enough food, water, and a clean litter tray. If you are still concerned, speak to your vet.
It is important to let your kitten get the sleep they need. Sleep is essential for their development and can help them stay healthy later in life. You can help your kitten get enough sleep by establishing a bedtime routine. Put them to bed at the same time each night, and they will eventually understand that it is time to rest. You can also try feeding them kitten food before bedtime and taking them to their litter box before tucking them into their cosy bed.
If your kitten is sleeping a lot and not playing when they are awake, it could be a sign of a medical issue. Consult your vet, especially if you notice additional signs such as not eating and drinking normally or any gastrointestinal issues. However, keep in mind that some cats are just lazy. In this case, you should still increase their activity levels because a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. Provide interactive toys like laser pointers to keep them interested and stimulated, and add exercise to their daily routine.
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Kittens sleep to conserve energy for hunting
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 20 hours per day. This is because they are still growing and developing, and sleep helps to strengthen their muscles and bones and keep their immune system functioning.
Hunting is an energy-intensive activity. Cats employ techniques such as stalking, pouncing, chasing, and climbing, which use up a lot of energy. Therefore, cats need to sleep to conserve energy for hunting. This is true even for domestic cats—even if they are only hunting their favourite toy or chasing a mouse, they are still using the same energy-intensive techniques.
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, which is when their prey is most active. They use high levels of adrenaline and energy to keep their body fueled during a hunt, so they need to rest and recuperate afterward.
As kittens grow, they will spend less time sleeping and more time playing and exploring. However, they will still need more sleep than adult cats to support their development.
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A kitten's sleeping habits change as they develop
Kittens are known to sleep a lot, and this is completely normal. In fact, during the first few weeks of a kitten's life, they will sleep approximately 90% of the time, which is about 22 hours a day. They need this much sleep as they don't have much energy when they are tiny, and sleep is essential for their development.
As they grow older, they will start to sleep less, but there is no drastic difference. A three-month-old kitten will sleep for about 18 hours a day, and a five-month-old kitten will sleep for about 14 hours a day. This is not far off the sleep requirements of an adult cat, which averages around 16 hours per day.
Kittens, like adult cats, are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. They will sleep for some of the night and take naps throughout the day. This is called polyphasic sleep, and it allows them to be ready to hunt for prey when they are most active.
As your kitten grows, their sleeping habits will gradually settle into this pattern. It is important to allow them to sleep as much as they need to and never wake them when they are fast asleep. A safe, cosy, and undisturbed place to sleep will allow them to rest properly.
Kittens also need to develop independence, so they should sleep alone rather than in bed with their owners. They may fall off the bed, and their owner may accidentally squash them. A kitten may also wake up in the middle of the night and pounce on their owner, preventing the owner from getting any sleep.
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A kitten's diet affects how much they sleep
Kittens sleep for up to 20 hours a day, and older kittens over three months of age tend to exhibit boundless energy. Active play during the daytime stimulates kittens both mentally and physically, encouraging them to nap less when their owners are awake and sleep more at night.
A kitten's diet can affect how much they sleep. Kittens should eat AAFCO-approved kitten food to meet their nutritional needs. As they near six months, their food intake may need regulating to prevent weight gain. Dry food often contains higher carbohydrate content, which can cause unwanted bursts of energy when fed at bedtime. Wet food, on the other hand, releases energy slowly throughout a 24-hour period. Feeding a kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime can encourage them to settle down to sleep with a fuller tummy.
A kitten's sleeping habits can also be influenced by their environment and stress levels. Kittens sleep better if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. If a kitten is new to your house, a blanket from their previous home can help them feel secure and sleep soundly. Similarly, once a kitten has bonded with you, having a piece of your clothing in their bed can be comforting and lengthen how long they sleep at night.
If a kitten is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign of stress or anxiety. Changes in their environment, such as new family members or feeding times, can cause stress. Boredom can also lead to increased sleeping, and can result in other problematic behaviours such as destruction, constant meowing, and over-grooming. To prevent boredom, cats need stimulation in the form of vertical territory (cat trees, scratching posts, and cat shelves), puzzle feeders, and regular playtime with their family.
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How to encourage a kitten to sleep
Kittens sleep for an average of 18-20 hours per day, but this depends on their age. Newborn kittens sleep a lot, but 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 may affect their sleep.
- Create a food/nap schedule: You can nudge your kitten towards taking additional naps by feeding them some extra meals of wet food and creating a food/nap schedule. Kittens instinctively go to sleep after eating, so feeding them a meal before bedtime may help. Just make sure it's from their daily allowance and not extra, as this could lead to an overweight kitten.
- Provide a comfortable sleeping area: Cats like to sleep away from where they eat, drink, and go to the toilet, so make sure your kitten has a clear, comfortable, and dedicated sleeping area. A bed with high sides or a dome-shaped 'cave bed' can make kittens feel safe from predators.
- Mimic a natural routine: Cats in the wild hunt, then eat, then sleep. You can mimic this pattern by having a play session with your kitten to wear them out, followed by a meal, and then bedtime.
- Adjust their body clock: Kittens have a shorter sleep cycle than humans and are naturally alert at night. Try to adjust their body clock to human timing by keeping them occupied during the day with exploration, play, and scratching.
- Provide quiet toys: Noisy toys can reinforce the idea that night-time is for play. Put away noisy toys and provide quiet, soft toys for night-time play.
- Ignore attention-seeking behaviour: Paying attention to hyper kittens encourages them to repeat the behaviour. Ignore attention-seeking behaviour and don't give in to feeding or playing with them outside of their schedule.
- Use comfort items: If your kitten is new to your home, a blanket from their previous home can help them feel secure. Similarly, once they have bonded with you, a piece of your clothing in their bed can be comforting.
- Use calming aids: Try playing relaxing "music for cats" from online playlists to help your kitten doze off. You can also use a FELIWAY Optimum Diffuser to provide a calming environment for your kitten.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, kittens 6 months or older and adult cats sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day. However, this number can vary depending on several factors, such as diet, weather, and boredom.
Kittens need a lot of sleep to support their rapid growth and development. Sleep also conserves their energy for hunting and exploring.
Yes, it is normal for kittens to sleep a lot, especially when they are growing, going through developmental leaps, or conserving energy. However, if your kitten is sleeping more than usual and showing a lack of interest in playing, it could be a sign of a medical issue, and you should consult your veterinarian.
