Miya Pearson
Kittens are known to sleep a lot—from birth until about two weeks of age, they sleep for around 22 hours per day. By the time they are three months old, they will sleep for about 18 hours, and at six months, this number drops to 16 hours. Kittens need a lot of sleep because their bodies are growing, which requires a lot of energy. They also need to conserve energy for hunting and playing. As they grow, they will spend less time sleeping and more time playing and exploring. By the time they are seven months old, kittens are considered young adolescents and will sleep for more than 16 hours a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | More than 16 hours a day |
| Sleep pattern | Polyphasic sleep, i.e., naps throughout the day and night |
| Energy levels | Energetic and hyperactive |
| Sleeping environment | A cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed in a quiet area |
| Bed type | High-sided bed, dome-shaped 'cave bed', or a cat bed to contain shedding |
| Sleep aids | Wet food half an hour before bedtime, kitten-safe toys, herbal remedies |
| Sleep routine | Put to bed at the same time each night |
| Sleep interruptions | Avoid waking them up for play or cuddles |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens sleep a lot to support their rapid growth
Kittens sleep a lot to conserve energy for hunting sprees. Cats are predators by nature, so they sleep a lot to save energy for hunting. Even if they are well-fed pets, they are still 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.
Kittens also sleep a lot when they go through specific growth and developmental spurts. A kitten's diet should be based on animal protein, as they are hard-wired carnivores. Lack of nutritious food can cause lethargy and drowsiness.
Kittens need a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. Kittens often have bursts of energy, followed by long naps. To help them burn off energy, offer engaging toys, scratching posts, or food puzzles. These activities mimic their natural instincts and help them wind down when it's time to rest.
Kittens sleep more than 16 hours a day. They take naps throughout the day and night, and are often found curled up fast asleep during the day. Kittens do not normally sleep through the night. It is common for them to wake up fairly regularly, especially when they are in a brand-new environment.
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Cats are crepuscular, meaning they're most active at dawn and dusk
Kittens sleep a lot—from birth until about two weeks of age, they sleep for around 22 hours per day. By the time they are three months old, they will sleep for about 18 hours a day. At seven months old, a kitten is considered a young adolescent and will sleep for more than 16 hours a day. Kittens need a lot of sleep because a lot of vital developmental and growth functions take place during this time.
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are not considered nocturnal. Their vision is similar and very different from humans. They can see fairly well in low-light conditions and can make out shapes and movement better than humans when the sun is just starting to come up or go down. Their main prey, small rodents, are also most active during these low-light hours. This is why cats are crepuscular rather than diurnal or nocturnal.
Cats sleep throughout the day and night, which is called polyphasic sleep. They are programmed this way, and even well-fed pet cats were designed to hunt for their food. Hunting requires a lot of effort, and cats need to be well-rested to catch their next meal. Cats will sleep wherever they find a cosy spot, but they can be encouraged to sleep in a cat bed to help contain shedding. Cats like to sleep in snug spots, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them.
If your kitten is lively and meowing at night, this can be normal as long as they have plenty of kitten-safe toys to play with. You may want to keep them confined to one room or a large puppy crate so that you can get some sleep. If you are concerned that they are not just playing and that they have enough food, water, and a clean litter tray, speak to your vet.
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Kittens need a safe, cosy bed to sleep in undisturbed
Kittens sleep a lot—from birth until about two weeks of age, they sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking up to feed. By the time they are three months old, they will sleep for about 18 hours a day. Kittens are naturally more active at night, as this is when they would hunt and catch prey. As a result, they may want to play when you are going to sleep.
Kittens may feel safer if they can sleep close to another pet or a human. Young kittens may never have slept alone before, so they may want to snuggle up with you for warmth and comfort. If you want your kitten to sleep close to you, you could bring them into your bedroom for the first few nights. Alternatively, you could sleep on a floor-level bed so that you don't accidentally squash them or they don't fall off the bed.
Kittens may be lively and meowing at night, which is normal as long as they have plenty of kitten-safe toys to play with. You may want to keep them confined to one room or a large puppy crate at night so that you can get a good night's sleep.
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Kittens should be fed kitten food until they're 9-12 months old
Kittens are known to sleep a lot, and this is completely normal. They take naps throughout the day and night, which is called polyphasic sleep. This is because they are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. As your kitten grows, you will notice that their sleeping habits gradually settle into this pattern.
A 7-month-old kitten is considered a young adolescent and is likely to sleep more than 16 hours a day. This is because they experience rapid growth at this stage, and their baby teeth are replaced by stronger adult teeth.
Kittens should be fed kitten food until they are 9-12 months old. Kitten food should be nutritionally complete and balanced to meet their unique growth and developmental needs. It should be high in protein and fat for growth and development, as well as omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA for brain and eye development. Good kitten foods also contain vitamins E and C for immune health.
When feeding your kitten, it is important to consider their preferences for texture and flavor. Kittens can be fed both dry and canned food, with canned food being sufficient twice a day. If they are only eating canned food, they should be fed four times a day. Dry food can be left out throughout the day for kittens who like to nibble.
When transitioning to adult cat food, it is recommended to start by replacing a small portion of their daily food intake with the new adult cat food. You can begin with 25% new food and 75% previous food, and gradually increase the percentage of adult cat food every couple of days. If your kitten is sensitive, you can start with a smaller amount of adult cat food and increase it slowly.
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Kittens need lots of play and exercise to tire them out
Kittens are known to sleep a lot—a habit that stems from their hunting instincts. Even well-fed kittens need to be well-rested to catch their next meal. Young kittens sleep for around 22 hours per day, and by the time they are three months old, they will need around 18 hours of sleep. Adult cats average around 16 hours of sleep per day, and kittens at the seven-month mark are considered young adolescents.
Kittens are very energetic and active, especially after eating. They are curious and eager to explore their environment, which can make it challenging to tire them out. However, they do need lots of play and exercise to ensure they get sufficient sleep and maintain their health.
To tire out your kitten, you can try various interactive and engaging toys, such as wand toys, cat tunnels, and cardboard boxes with small toys inside. Changing their toys regularly will keep them interested and excited about playtime. You can also try toy rotation, with different containers and small toys, to keep things fresh and stimulating. Providing different toys each day will help tire them out and prevent boredom.
In addition to toys, you can incorporate play sessions into their routine. Try two play sessions a day where your kitten can jump and climb up and down furniture. You can also try more energetic playtime just before bedtime to tire them out, but always end with a gentle toy to help them relax and prepare for sleep. Establishing a nightly ritual to signal that it's time to sleep can be beneficial, as kittens can sometimes stay active even when they're exhausted.
If your kitten is particularly energetic, you might consider getting them a playmate. Having another kitten or cat as a companion can help tire them out through shared play and provide mental stimulation, which is essential for their development.
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Frequently asked questions
7-month-old kittens are considered young adolescents and sleep for more than 16 hours a day.
Kittens will feel sleepy after an evening meal. Feeding your kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime may encourage them to settle down with a full tummy. You can also try a focused session of fun activity during the early part of the evening to help your kitten relax and fall asleep.
Kittens like to sleep in a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. You can also make a kitten home inside a large puppy crate, especially if there are other pets or children in the home.
