Ashwin Lewis
Kittens require a lot of sleep, with newborn kittens requiring up to 22 hours of sleep per day. As they mature, they'll sleep less, averaging between 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day. Kittens should sleep in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure and safe. It is recommended to have a cat bed that is low to the ground, with additional beds placed in cozy spots in the home. Kittens should not sleep in the same bed as their owners until they are larger in size and can get up and down from the bed on their own, typically around 6 months old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | 16-22 hours per day |
| Sleeping patterns | Short bursts of 1-2 hours |
| Sleeping location | Somewhere warm, quiet, and comfortable where they feel secure and undisturbed |
| Bed type | Low to the ground, cosy, and snug |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens need 24-hour care in their first week
It is important to feed neonatal kittens kitten formula, such as kitten milk replacer (KMR), and not cow's or goat's milk, which could be dangerous to their health. They should be fed on their stomachs, and then burped by gently patting them on their stomachs or holding them on your shoulder. Dehydration is one of the biggest threats to kittens, so it is important to monitor their water intake and check for signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and lethargy.
Kittens also need to be kept warm, as they cannot control their body temperature until they are at least three weeks old. They will huddle together for warmth and rarely venture far from their mother or littermates. It is important to prepare a warm, quiet, and comfortable space for them to sleep, where they feel secure and undisturbed. A cosy bed or blanket placed somewhere low to the ground is ideal.
As they grow, kittens will sleep less and become more active, exploring their environment. They will also start to develop a routine and settle into a sleeping pattern. It is important to allow them to sleep as much as they need and never wake them when they are fast asleep.
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A warm, quiet, and comfortable space
To ensure your kitten gets the warmth it needs, provide a snug bed or blanket. You can place their bed inside a large puppy crate, especially if there are other pets or children in the home. This creates a 'kitten home' where they can feel secure and undisturbed. It's important to keep them warm as kittens can't control their body temperature until they're at least three weeks old, and getting cold can be life-threatening.
The bed should be low to the ground, as this is safest for young kittens. You can place additional cat beds in cosy spots around your home, such as the living room couch, to give your kitten options. Just make sure they have a quiet space where they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them.
To help your kitten sleep, you can feed it wet food half an hour before bedtime. Wet food provides a slow release of energy, whereas dry food may cause unwanted bursts of energy before bed. After a busy day of play, your kitten will naturally fall asleep more easily.
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Kittens sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day
Kittens should sleep in a cosy, warm, and secure place where they feel safe and protected. Their bed should be placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. A dedicated bed for your kitten is a must. A cat bed that is low to the ground is the best place for a kitten to sleep, although a cat with good control can manage a slightly raised bed. You can also place an additional cat bed or two in cosy spots in your home to give your kitten options. An ideal kitten bed provides warmth, comfort, and a sense of security. A bed with high sides or a dome-shaped "cave bed" can make kittens feel safe from predators. Kittens also like to sleep on soft and warm surfaces, such as couches, and may prefer these spots over their own bed.
If your kitten is new to your home, bringing a blanket from their previous home can help them feel secure and sleep soundly. Similarly, once a kitten has bonded with you, placing a piece of your clothing in their bed can be comforting and help lengthen their sleep. Kittens may also feel safer if they can sleep close to another pet or human. If you want your kitten to sleep close to you, you can bring their bed into your bedroom for the first few nights. However, it is important to wait until your kitten has had full health clearance from a veterinarian before allowing them to sleep in your bed, as kittens can carry parasites and infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
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A kitten bed in your bedroom
A kitten that is four weeks old is still very young and requires round-the-clock care. It is important that your kitten gets enough sleep, as sleep deprivation can be harmful to young animals.
Kittens need to feel secure when they sleep, so their bed should be placed somewhere cosy and warm, where they can sleep undisturbed. It is best if their bed is low to the ground, and you should provide a blanket for them to snuggle into. You could make a 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate, which can be especially useful if there are other pets or children in the home.
If you want to keep your kitten close by at night, you could place their bed in your bedroom. Some experts recommend this for the first few nights, but others believe kittens can be left alone with access to food and a litter tray. If you do choose to keep your kitten in your bedroom, make sure their bed is away from yours, so you don't accidentally injure them with sudden movements during your sleep.
Kittens tend to be more active at night, so don't be surprised if they want to play when you're trying to sleep. You can encourage your kitten to sleep by feeding them a wet food meal about half an hour before bedtime, as this will help them settle with a full tummy.
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Kittens need to eat multiple meals a day
Newborn to four-week-old kittens require round-the-clock care and feeding. They should be fed kitten formula every two hours until they are 10 days old, after which they can be fed every three to four hours. Dehydration is one of the biggest threats to young kittens, so it is important to monitor their water intake and watch out for signs of chilling, such as listlessness and cool skin.
Kittens sleep a lot, averaging 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day in short bursts of about one to two hours. They may sleep even more—up to 22 hours per day—during their first few weeks of life. As they grow older, their sleeping habits will gradually settle, and by the time they are three months old, they will only need about 18 hours of sleep per day. Kittens should be allowed to sleep undisturbed in a warm, quiet, and comfortable space where they feel secure.
To ensure your kitten gets enough sleep, provide them with a cosy, snug bed or blanket placed in a low-to-the-ground spot where they can sleep peacefully while life goes on around them. You can also offer additional cat beds in cosy spots around your home to give your kitten options. Just be sure to keep them away from high perches until they are older, as they may not have good control yet.
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Frequently asked questions
4-week-old kittens require round-the-clock care and sleep for around 20-22 hours a day. They should sleep in a warm, quiet, comfortable, and secure place, such as a cat bed that is low to the ground.
4-week-old kittens sleep a lot, requiring up to 20-22 hours of sleep per day. Their sleep pattern is polyphasic, meaning they sleep in short bursts of around 1-2 hours at a time.
Kittens should not sleep with their owners due to the risk of injury and disrupted sleep for the owner. Kittens also carry parasites and infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans. It is recommended to wait until your kitten is at least 6 months old before letting them sleep in your bed.
