Gina Johnson
Kittens sleep a lot—newborns need around 22 hours of sleep per day, and by the time they're three months old, they'll still need about 18 hours. Kittens who are six weeks old are very active and playful, and they're becoming more independent, but they still spend more than half the day napping. They're also in the process of weaning, so they may still nurse and seek comfort from their mother. It's important that young kittens get enough sleep, as vital developmental and growth functions take place during this time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 6-week-old kittens sleep for more than half the day. They don't sleep as much as newborns but still nap frequently. |
| Sleep patterns | Kittens are crepuscular, most active at dusk and dawn. They sleep in short bursts throughout the day and night. |
| Sleeping arrangements | Kittens may feel safer sleeping close to another pet or human. They should have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed in a low, safe, and undisturbed location. |
| Weaning and diet | At 6 weeks, kittens start weaning from nursing to wet or dry kitten food. They can begin eating solid food and drinking water. |
| Teeth | Baby teeth begin to erupt at 6 weeks. |
| Eyes | Eyes are fully developed but still blue at 6 weeks. The colour will gradually change to the adult eye colour over the next few weeks. |
| Ears | Ears are fully upright. |
| Weight | 640-670 grams or 22.5-23.6 ounces. |
| Socialisation | Socialisation is crucial at this age. Kittens play with littermates, explore their surroundings, and develop their personalities. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kittens sleep a lot—up to 22 hours per day when they're newborn
- By six weeks, kittens are very active and playful compared to when they were newborn
- Kittens need a cosy, snug bed to sleep in undisturbed by humans or other pets
- Kittens can sleep with humans, but it's not always recommended
- Kittens should be weaned and eating kitten kibble by six weeks
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 22 hours per day when they're newborn
Newborn kittens get their nutritional needs met through nursing. They may need to be fed every few hours, around the clock. Kittens without access to their mother's milk may need a substitute or supplement, and a veterinarian can advise on this.
By the time they're six weeks old, kittens can run well and are very active and playful. They are almost ready to leave their mothers, and their baby teeth begin to erupt. They are also able to clean themselves and use a litter box. At this age, they are still sleeping a lot, but it's less than when they were newborns. They will spend more than half the day napping.
Kittens sleep best if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. 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. A comfortable bed, along with a small cardboard box or cat igloo, will give your kitten a place to hide and sleep.
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By six weeks, kittens are very active and playful compared to when they were newborn
Kittens sleep a lot when they are newborn, requiring around 22 hours of sleep per day for the first two weeks of their lives. By six weeks, kittens are very active and playful compared to when they were newborn. They will still spend more than half the day napping, but they will also be eager to explore their surroundings and play with their littermates. Their personalities will start to develop, and this is an important time for their social skills to develop. They will be able to run and will be very active. Their hearing and vision will be fully developed, and their baby teeth will have erupted. They will be able to clean themselves and use a litter box.
Kittens should be in the process of weaning at six weeks, transitioning away from nursing. They can begin to eat wet or dry food, but this should be kitten food, which is formulated to meet their unique growth and developmental needs. Their diet should be nutritionally complete and balanced, with plenty of protein, calcium, and DHA.
Socializing kittens is important, and this becomes more crucial as they get older. They should be introduced to different parts of the house, different objects, different people, and different pets. Play is a great way for new people to bond with kittens. Kittens should also be taught right from wrong through playing and discipline from their mother and littermates.
Kittens will sleep best if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. They may feel safer if they can sleep close to another pet or a human, and they may want to snuggle up for warmth and comfort. They should be provided with a safe place to sleep, undisturbed, to allow them to rest properly.
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Kittens need a cosy, snug bed to sleep in undisturbed by humans or other pets
Kittens sleep a lot—around 22 hours a day during their first two weeks of life. By the time they are six weeks old, they are still sleeping for more than half the day. Kittens need their sleep, as this is when vital developmental and growth functions take place. It's important to let them sleep as much as they need to and never wake them when they're fast asleep.
Kittens need a cosy, snug bed to sleep in, undisturbed by humans or other pets. A comfortable bed, a small cardboard box, or a cat igloo will give your kitten somewhere to hide and sleep. You can place a litter tray, food and water bowls, and some kitten-safe toys inside a crate, too. This will be especially helpful if there are other pets or children in the home who may not remember to keep windows and doors closed.
Kittens can regulate their own temperature by the time they are six weeks old, but they may still seek comfort from their mother. If your kitten is without their mother, you can get them a microwaveable heat pad (used with appropriate covers to prevent burns) or a teddy to snuggle up against. You could also sleep on a floor-level bed so your kitten can sleep close to you.
If you want your kitten to sleep in a different room, you can make a ''kitten home' inside a large puppy crate. This will give your kitten a safe space to sleep and explore when they are feeling confident.
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Kittens can sleep with humans, but it's not always recommended
Kittens sleep a lot, and a 6-week old kitten will still spend more than half the day napping. Kittens need a lot of sleep as vital developmental and growth functions take place during this time. It is important to let them sleep as much as they need to and never wake them when they are fast asleep. Kittens can sleep with humans, but it is not always recommended.
Kittens and some adult cats may feel safer sleeping close to another pet or a human. Young kittens may want to snuggle up with humans for warmth and comfort. Sleeping with your kitten can be a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. However, there are some risks to be aware of. Firstly, there is a risk of accidentally rolling onto the kitten during sleep, especially if you are a restless sleeper. Kittens could also injure themselves by falling off a high bed or getting caught in the bedding.
To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to wait until your kitten is larger and old enough to get up and down from your bed on their own, typically around 6 months old. Kittens have bursts of activity during the night, so they might zip around the room, pounce on your feet, or explore their surroundings. This could be disruptive to your sleep. If you have allergies, sleeping with a kitten could also be uncomfortable for you.
If you want your kitten to be able to sleep close to you, you could try sleeping on a floor-level bed or making a 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate. This will allow your kitten to feel safe and snug while giving them the option to explore when they are feeling confident.
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Kittens should be weaned and eating kitten kibble by six weeks
Kittens sleep a lot, and this is important for their development and growth. A six-week-old kitten will spend more than half the day napping, but this is less than when they were newborns. At this age, they are very active and social, exploring their surroundings and playing with their littermates. They will also start to develop their own personalities.
Kittens should be in the process of weaning at six weeks old. This is when they transition from nursing or bottle-feeding to eating solid food on their own. The weaning process typically begins with canned kitten food, which is mixed with water to create a gruel. As the kitten gets used to this, the amount of water added is decreased until they are eating canned food straight from the packet. Once they are comfortable with this, they can advance to dry kitten kibble. It is important to ensure that the food is specifically formulated for kittens, as kitten food is higher in calories, fat, and protein, which they need to grow big and strong.
Kittens should be fully weaned by eight to ten weeks old. During the weaning process, it is important to keep kittens clean and dry after every meal. Food should be fresh and replaced every three to four hours, and kittens should have food available regularly. It is normal for kittens to struggle with water at first, but they should be drinking confidently within one to three days of introduction.
Kittens should continue to eat kitten food until they are at least 12 months old. At this point, they can transition to adult food. It is important not to rush the weaning process and to do things on the kitten's timeline. Some kittens may need more time on the bottle due to health issues, differences in weight or size, or preference.
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Frequently asked questions
Kittens between 6 and 12 weeks old are very active and social, but they still spend more than half the day napping. Kittens need around 18 hours of sleep per day, spread throughout the day and night.
Kittens may feel safer sleeping close to another pet or human. If you want your kitten to sleep close to you, you could sleep on a floor-level bed or put your kitten in a playpen or crate. Kittens should have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed.
If you let your kitten sleep in your bed, there is a chance you might accidentally roll on them or they may fall off the bed. If you do decide to let your kitten sleep in your bed, put them between pillows to prevent you from rolling on them.
Kittens should have a comfortable bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. You can also get them a microwavable heat pad or a teddy to snuggle up against.
