Evie Summers
Newborn kittens require round-the-clock care and sleep for most of the day. Kittens from birth to around two weeks of age need to sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. They will huddle together for warmth and comfort and rarely venture far from their mother or their nest. After two weeks, kittens begin to explore their environment more and sleep less. By the time they are three months old, they will only need to sleep for about 18 hours, which is similar to the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average around 16 hours per day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | From birth until about two weeks of age, kittens need to sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. By the time they’re three months old, they’ll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night. |
| Sleeping environment | Kittens' beds should be low down, inside a large puppy crate or a box with a blanket. |
| Sleeping position | Kittens should be placed on their stomachs to feed, not their backs. |
| Sleep disturbances | Kittens' sleep should not be disturbed as many important processes take place during sleep. |
| Sleep and health | Lethargy and disinterest in playing can be a sign of illness. |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborn kittens sleep between feeds and don't need extra nutrition for the first 3-4 weeks
- Kittens need 24-hour care for the first 4 weeks, including being stimulated to go to the bathroom
- Kittens sleep a lot because they're growing and learning, which is tiring
- Kittens need a warm, clean, and cosy environment to sleep in
- If a kitten sleeps a lot and seems lethargic, it could be a sign of illness
Newborn kittens sleep between feeds and don't need extra nutrition for the first 3-4 weeks
Newborn kittens sleep a lot—this is normal. From birth until about two weeks of age, kittens need to sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. They sleep between feeds and don't need extra nutrition for the first three to four weeks. During this time, they will develop rapidly, with their eyes opening within three days and the umbilical cord falling off.
Kittens need to feed every two to three hours. Kittens that are suckling well from their mother will sleep between feeds and do not need additional nutrition until three to four weeks of age. If you are hand-feeding, use specific kitten bottles with kitten formula, such as kitten milk replacer (KMR). Never feed kittens "Cat Milk", cow's milk, or goat's milk, which could give them life-threatening diarrhea. After feeding, you will need to burp the kittens. Put them on your shoulder or on their stomachs and pat them gently until they burp.
Newborn kittens require round-the-clock care for the first three to four weeks. Keep them in a warm, clean, and quiet environment, as chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. You can use your own body heat to warm up a cold kitten and gently rub them to aid circulation. Keep them in a soft nest, like a box with a blanket, or a Snuggle Safe, or use a heated rice sock or water bottle.
As they grow, you will see their sleeping habits gradually settle into a pattern. By the time they are three months old, they will only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night.
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Kittens need 24-hour care for the first 4 weeks, including being stimulated to go to the bathroom
Newborn kittens sleep for around 22 hours per day during their first two weeks, only waking to feed. They require round-the-clock care during their first four weeks, including being stimulated to go to the bathroom.
If you find newborn kittens outdoors, it's best not to separate them from their mother, as she is their best caretaker. If the kittens are rejected by their mother or the mother is too ill to care for them, you will need to step in.
Newborn kittens need to feed every two to three hours. They should be fed kitten formula using specific kitten bottles. It is important to never feed them "Cat Milk" or cow's or goat's milk, as this could be life-threatening. After feeding, they need to be burped. They should be put on their shoulder or on their stomachs and gently patted until they burp.
Kittens under four weeks old must be stimulated to go to the bathroom after each feeding. A mother cat uses her tongue to do this, but you can use a warm and damp cotton ball, tissue, or washcloth to gently rub the kitten's anal area. Solid feces usually do not form while kittens are drinking formula. If the kitten is having trouble urinating or defecating, consult a veterinarian.
To keep newborn kittens warm, you can build a soft nest, such as a box with a blanket and a heating pad. It is important to ensure that the kittens can move away from the heat if they want. Dehydration is one of the biggest threats to kittens, so it is important to watch out for signs of chilling, such as listlessness and cool skin.
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Kittens sleep a lot because they're growing and learning, which is tiring
During sleep, many vital developmental and growth functions take place, and interrupted or a lack of sleep can be harmful to kittens. It is important to let them sleep for as long as they need to. As long as they are lively when they are awake and eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, they are probably fine. However, if your kitten is sleeping all day and still seems tired when they wake up, or lacks energy and playfulness, you should contact your vet.
As your kitten grows, you will see their sleeping habits gradually settle into a pattern. By the time they are three months old, they will only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night. This is not far from the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average around 16 hours per day.
To help your kitten sleep, you should provide a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. You may want to keep them confined to one room or a large puppy crate during the night so that you can get a good night's sleep.
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Kittens need a warm, clean, and cosy environment to sleep in
Newborn kittens spend about 90% of their time sleeping, which is roughly 22 hours per day. They need a warm, clean, and cosy environment to sleep in.
Kittens are born with a limited ability to regulate their body temperature and can easily get cold, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to provide them with a warm and secure sleeping environment. This can be achieved by using a heating disk, a heating pad set to low heat underneath a blanket, or your own body heat. Additionally, creating a soft nest or a box with blankets, towels, and absorbent materials can provide a cosy space for kittens to sleep in.
The sleeping area for newborn kittens should be quiet, comfortable, and free of distractions, such as loud noises or movement. It is recommended to keep the room dark or with very low light. A warm water bottle wrapped in a blanket can also be placed in their bed to provide extra warmth and comfort. It is important to ensure that the water bottle is not too hot by testing the temperature against your skin first.
For the first few nights in their new home, kittens should be kept in a separate room, such as a closed bathroom or bedroom, to provide them with a sense of security and peace. This room should contain their food, water, and litter box. A safe and enclosed space, such as a secure playpen or a large puppy crate, can also be used to prevent them from getting into trouble while you are asleep.
As kittens grow older and gain more independence, they will require a comfortable bed that is low to the ground, as well as a small blanket to cuddle with. Providing a cardboard box or cat igloo offers them a place to hide and satisfies their instinctual need for a secluded resting spot.
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If a kitten sleeps a lot and seems lethargic, it could be a sign of illness
Kittens do sleep a lot—this is normal. From birth until about two weeks of age, kittens need to sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. Once their eyes have opened, they begin to explore their environment more and sleep less. By the time they're three months old, they'll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night.
However, if a kitten sleeps a lot and seems lethargic, it could be a sign of illness. For instance, lethargy and disinterest in playing could be a sign that your kitten is not getting enough nutrition. If the kitten isn't eating as much as they should be and isn't gaining weight, it's important to get them checked by a vet. Dehydration is one of the biggest threats to kittens, and signs of this include limpness, unresponsiveness, sunken eyes, and lethargy. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to take your kitten to the vet as soon as possible.
Similarly, if you notice that one kitten is sleeping a lot more than its siblings and is generally lethargic, these could be signs of Fading Kitten Syndrome (FKS), which requires immediate attention from a veterinarian. It's also important to keep an eye out for other symptoms, such as trouble urinating or defecating, as this could indicate a blockage or other health issue.
If you're ever worried about your kitten's sleeping habits or general health, don't hesitate to reach out to your vet for advice and support.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborn kittens need to sleep for around 22 hours per day for the first two weeks of their life, only waking to feed.
A lot of vital developmental and growth functions take place while newborn kittens are asleep. Sleep deprivation can be harmful to kittens.
If your kitten is lively when they are awake and they’re eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, they are likely fine. If your kitten seems lethargic and you’re concerned, contact your vet.
