Ashwin Lewis
Kittens sleep a lot, and their sleep requirements change as they grow. A newborn kitten can sleep up to 22 hours a day, but by the time they are three or four months old, this will have reduced to around 18 hours. Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, so they will sleep for some of the night and take naps throughout the day. This allows them to hunt for prey when it is most active. As a kitten gets older, it will become more flexible with its sleeping pattern and may adjust to sleeping when you do.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average sleep hours | 16-20 hours |
| Sleep pattern | Short bursts of 1-2 hours |
| Sleep cycle | 78 minutes |
| Sleep position | Curling up |
| Sleep location | Somewhere quiet, dark, and warm |
| Kitten bed | Snug bed with high sides or a dome-shaped 'cave bed' |
| Kitten blanket | Familiar scent to make them feel secure |
| Kitten food | Wet food half an hour before bedtime |
| Playtime | 30 minutes over the course of the day |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day, but not always at night
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 20 hours a day—but not always at night. During their first two weeks of life, they sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. By the time they are three months old, they will sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night.
Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around sunrise and sunset. They are also naturally curious and can get stuck in small spaces around the home, so it's best to confine them to one room when they are small.
To help your kitten sleep through the night, you can feed them their dinner just before you go to bed and leave some food out for them to snack on if they get hungry. You can also play with them for at least 30 minutes during the day so that they are tired out by bedtime. A quiet, dark, and comfortable space will help them sleep soundly.
Kittens need a lot of sleep for their development. Sleep allows their bodies to focus energy on rapid growth, and many vital developmental and growth functions take place during sleep. Interrupted sleep or a lack of sleep can be harmful to kittens.
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Cats are crepuscular, most awake at dawn and dusk
Kittens sleep a lot, and they need to in order to develop their senses, as well as their brain, central nervous system, and even their bones and muscles. From birth until about two weeks of age, kittens sleep for around 22 hours per day, waking only to feed. By the time they are three months old, they'll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night. This is not far off from adult cats, who average around 16 hours of sleep per day.
Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are not nocturnal or diurnal. Their heightened activity during twilight hours is due to their natural hunting instincts, as these would be the times they would hunt small prey in the wild. Their excellent night vision also contributes to this behaviour.
If you're struggling to sleep due to your cat's nocturnal habits, there are ways to manage their environment so you can get some rest. Avoid reinforcing boisterous nighttime activity by feeding them or playing with them. Instead, try to tire them out with interactive play early in the evening. You can also leave some food out for your kitten to snack on during the night so that they don't wake you up.
To help your kitten sleep well, provide a cosy, snug bed or blanket in a quiet spot, where they can sleep undisturbed. A small cardboard box or cat igloo will give your kitten somewhere to hide and feel secure.
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Wear your kitten out with play before bed
Kittens are known to sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day when they are newborn until they are about two weeks old. As they grow older, they sleep less and become more active. By the time they are three to four months old, they will only need to sleep for about 18 hours a day, similar to adult cats.
Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. This is because they are programmed to hunt for prey during these times. As a result, your human bedtime is likely to be an active time for your kitten, and they may want to play when you are trying to sleep.
To avoid this, it is important to wear your kitten out with play before bedtime. Active play during the day is a great way to stimulate your kitten mentally and physically, so they nap less when you are awake and sleep more at night. Play with your kitten during daylight hours to expend their energy. You can also try a focused session of fun activity during the early part of the evening. However, avoid playing late at night as your kitten will be too excited to sleep.
If your kitten is still lively and meowing at night, it may be perfectly normal. As long as they have plenty of kitten-safe toys to play with, it is fine to let them continue. You can also feed your kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime to encourage them to settle down with a full tummy.
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Provide a dedicated, cosy bed for your kitten
Kittens sleep a lot—around 22 hours per day from birth until they are about two weeks old. By the time they are two months old, this reduces to 18 hours per day, which is similar to adult cats. Kittens grow extremely fast during their first few weeks, so sleep is essential for their development and growth.
Providing a dedicated, cosy bed for your kitten is important to ensure they get the rest they need. Cat beds come in various styles, from simple tent beds to elegant pet houses, with some designed to provide extra warmth. Consider your kitten's personality and habits when choosing a bed. For example, if your kitten is anxious, a bed with tall sides can be comforting as it makes them feel cradled and secure. If your kitten is adventurous and curious, they may enjoy a cat hammock that is mounted on a wall, giving them a vantage point while they rest.
Heated cat beds are popular during colder months, providing extra warmth and comfort. Some cat beds are designed with faux fur or soft blankets, retaining body heat and providing extra comfort. You can also find beds with removable, machine-washable covers to ensure your kitten always has a fresh and hygienic space to sleep in.
If you want your kitten to sleep close to you, avoid bringing them onto your bed, as you might accidentally squash them or they may fall off. Instead, try sleeping on a floor-level bed temporarily.
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Ignore bad behaviour and reward good behaviour
Kittens are known to be active at night, and it is common for them to sleep for 20 hours a day. They are crepuscular, meaning they are most awake at dawn and dusk. While it is normal for kittens to be active at night, there are some strategies you can use to help them sleep through the night. Firstly, ensure they have plenty of playtime and exercise during the day to tire them out. You can also try playing with them multiple times before bed to make them sleepier. Providing quiet, soft toys at night can help to entertain them without making noise. You could also try warming up their blanket before bedtime, as kittens may disrupt sleep due to missing the warmth of their mothers and siblings.
When it comes to discipline, it is important to remember that cats are not like dogs and should not be expected to behave in the same way. Positive reinforcement is the most effective method of training cats and instilling good behaviours. This involves rewarding your kitten for good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour. For example, if your kitten scratches the scratching post instead of the sofa, reward them with treats, verbal praise, pets or scratches. You can also redirect their attention to something else when they are engaging in unwanted behaviours. It is important to never physically punish your cat, as this can harm your relationship with them and cause them to lash out or become withdrawn.
It is also beneficial to provide alternatives for their natural behaviours. For instance, if your cat likes to "counter surf", provide a perch or a window sill bed at counter height and reward them for using it. Additionally, cat-proof your home to prevent problems before they start. Get to know your kitten's natural patterns and behaviours so you can predict and avoid unwanted behaviours. Socialisation, habituation, stimulation, and training are crucial aspects of helping your kitten develop good manners.
Remember that disciplining your cat may take some trial and error, as each cat is unique. By using positive reinforcement and redirecting their attention, you can effectively address unwanted behaviours in your kitten.
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Frequently asked questions
Kittens can sleep for up to 18-20 hours a day. However, this doesn't always happen when their human family members are asleep.
Kittens are naturally more active at night than humans. They are also naturally curious and can be anxious when separated from their owners. To help your kitten sleep through the night, try playing with them before bedtime to tire them out. You can also feed them a wet food meal half an hour before bedtime to encourage them to settle down with a full tummy.
Kittens gravitate towards warmth and coziness when they want to sleep. A dedicated bed with high sides or a dome-shaped "cave bed" can help kittens feel safe. You can also bring a blanket from their previous home, or once they have bonded with you, place a piece of your clothing in their bed for comfort.
Keep noisy toys away and provide quiet, soft toys instead. You can also try synthetic pheromones, which are designed to mimic a cat's facial pheromones and mark objects as familiar.
