Ashwin Lewis
Kittens are known to sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day—and it is completely normal for newborn kittens to sleep a lot. In fact, newborn kittens can sleep up to 90% of the time, which is around 22 hours a day. As they mature beyond the newborn stage, they will sleep less, but even a six-month-old kitten will sleep between 16 and 20 hours a day. Kittens need lots of energy to grow and develop, and they expend a lot of energy in a short time, so they need to sleep more than older cats.
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What You'll Learn
Newborn kittens sleep 18-22 hours a day
Kittens, especially newborn ones, need to sleep a lot. In fact, newborn kittens sleep for about 90% of the day, which is around 18 to 22 hours. This is because they are going through specific growth and developmental spurts and need the energy to grow into healthy adult cats.
Newborn kittens are still developing their senses, and their sleep is mostly light REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, with small contractions of their faces and ears. They may also make small sounds. They can't yet regulate their body temperature, so they will snuggle close to their mother and litter mates.
As kittens mature, they will sleep less, but even six-month-old kittens will still sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day. Kittens need lots of energy to grow and develop, and they expend a lot of energy in short bursts of play and exploration. Sleep is an essential part of their development, helping with cognitive and physical growth, as well as keeping their immune system strong.
It is important to note that while sleeping a lot is normal for kittens, they should be bright and alert when they are awake. If a kitten is lethargic, sluggish, or difficult to rouse, this could indicate a health problem, such as anemia, and you should seek veterinary advice.
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Kittens sleep a lot to conserve energy for growth and development
Kittens are born deaf and blind, and sleep helps with the development of their senses, as well as their brain, central nervous system, bones, and muscles. It also keeps their immune system strong. As they mature beyond the newborn stage, they will sleep less, but even six-month-old kittens will still sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day.
The sleep that kittens get is not always continuous. Older kittens are known for sleeping one minute and then charging around the next, as they gather their energy while asleep and then discharge it when they are awake. This is why they need to sleep more than older cats, as they expend so much energy in a short space of time.
Kittens also have evolutionary roots that explain their sleeping patterns. Their ancestors were predators on the African plains who slept most of the day and hunted for short periods to conserve energy. Sleeping during the day kept young wild cats safe in their nests, quiet and undetected by predators.
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A quiet spot helps kittens sleep uninterrupted
Kittens need a lot of sleep to support their growth and development. Newborn kittens can sleep for about 22 hours a day, which is around 90% of the time. As they mature, they sleep less, averaging 16 to 20 hours of sleep daily.
Kittens sleep in short bursts multiple times a day, rather than all at once. They experience REM sleep, dreams, and deep sleep. During REM sleep, they may make small sounds and exhibit small contractions of their faces and ears.
Kittens need a quiet, safe, and warm place to sleep. This could be in a separate room, like a bathroom, laundry room, or spare room, or in the owner's bedroom. The room should be free of hazards and potential dangers, with electrical cords secured. It should also be kept dark or with very low light and free of loud noises or movement.
To help your kitten sleep through the night, you can establish a routine with regular feeding and playtimes. Feeding your kitten just before you go to bed and leaving some food out for them to snack on during the night can help prevent them from waking you up for food.
A cozy bed with high sides and a soft blanket will help keep your kitten warm and encourage a good night's sleep. You can also place a warm water bottle wrapped in a blanket in their bed, being sure to test the temperature against your skin first to ensure it's not too hot.
Overall, providing a quiet, comfortable, and secure sleeping environment for your kitten will help them get the uninterrupted sleep they need to thrive.
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Kittens sleep in cycles of sound sleep and REM sleep
Kittens do sleep a lot—it's normal for newborn kittens to sleep about 22 hours a day, or 90% of the time. This is because they need lots of energy to grow and develop, and they expend a lot of energy in a short time. Kittens also sleep a lot because they are born deaf and blind, and sleep helps with the development of their brain, central nervous system, bones, and muscles.
As they grow older, kittens will sleep less and become more active. By the time they are three months old, they will sleep for about 18 hours a day. This is still a lot of sleep, but it is not far from the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average around 16 hours of sleep per day.
Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. This sleeping pattern is 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.
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Lethargy in kittens can indicate a serious health condition
Kittens sleep a lot—it's normal for newborn kittens to sleep for about 22 hours a day, which is around 90% of the time. They need all this sleep to develop their senses, brain, central nervous system, bones, and muscles. Sleep also keeps their immune system strong.
However, lethargy in kittens is not normal and can indicate a serious underlying health condition. If your kitten is lethargic, something is wrong, and they may be sick. Lethargy is characterised by a significant lack of energy and motivation. A lethargic kitten will seem listless and may disengage from normal activities and interactions. They may refuse to play, move, or eat.
If your kitten is lethargic, take them to the vet as soon as possible. The treatment for lethargy depends on the underlying cause, which could be anything from depression to parasites, malnutrition, or even a more serious condition like liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or heart disease. Your vet will perform a full physical examination and develop a treatment plan, which may include medication, dietary changes, fluid therapy, or pain management.
Some signs that your kitten may be lethargic include:
- Constant and sudden oversleeping
- Being sluggish when awake
- Lack of interest in regular activities or interactions
- Sleeping more than usual
- Uninterested in play
- Avoiding food
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is normal for newborn kittens to sleep a lot. Newborn kittens can sleep for around 22 hours a day, which is about 90% of their time.
Newborn kittens sleep for about 18 to 22 hours daily, only waking up to drink their mother's milk.
Kittens need a lot of energy to grow and develop, so they sleep more to conserve energy. They also need sleep for their cognitive and physical development and growth.
If your kitten seems lethargic or sluggish when they are awake, or if they are difficult to rouse, this could be a sign of a medical problem such as anaemia or another health condition.
