Miya Pearson
Kittens sleep a lot, and a 10-week-old kitten will still need around 18-20 hours of sleep per day. Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn, so don't be surprised if your new kitten wakes up during the night. It's important to let your kitten sleep as much as they need to and never wake them when they're fast asleep. Kittens will feel most secure if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed. It's also a good idea to provide them with a heat pad or a teddy to snuggle up against.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hours of sleep | 18-20 hours per day |
| Sleeping pattern | Polyphasic sleep pattern, sleeping in short bursts throughout the day and night |
| Sleeping location | A cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them |
| Sleeping location height | Low down |
| Sleeping with other pets or humans | Kittens may feel safer sleeping close to another pet or a human |
| Sleeping with toys | Yes, toys can be provided for entertainment when the kitten wakes up |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day
Kittens sleep a lot—up to 20 hours a day. This is because they are still growing and developing, and sleep allows their body to focus its energy on rapid growth. They will sleep for around 22 hours per day from birth until about two weeks of age, only waking to feed. Once their eyes have opened, they 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, spread throughout the day and night.
Kittens do not normally sleep through the night. They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn, and they nap throughout the day and night. This sleep pattern allows them to recharge and be ready to hunt. Hunting requires a lot of energy, and cats need to be fully rested to have the best chance of catching their next meal.
It is important that kittens get enough sleep, as sleep deprivation can be harmful to them. They should be left to sleep for as long as they like, and never woken when they are fast asleep. A cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed, will help them feel secure. Kittens may feel safer if they can sleep close to another pet or a human, especially if they have never slept alone before. You can help them feel more secure by providing a microwavable heat pad or a teddy to snuggle up against.
If your kitten seems to be sleeping all day and still seems tired or lacking energy when they wake up, you should reach out to your vet to check everything is as it should be.
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Kittens don't sleep through the night
A 10-week-old kitten will need to sleep for around 18 hours a day, spread throughout the day and night. Kittens are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They sleep in short bursts, which is a polyphasic sleep pattern, allowing them to recharge and hunt.
Additionally, if a kitten has not been active enough during the day, they will likely continue to be active at night. A lack of stimulation or toys to play with can also cause restlessness. Changes in the home environment can also cause stress or excitement, leading to night-time activity.
To help your kitten sleep through the night, ensure they have been active and stimulated during the day. Schedule playtime before you go to bed to tire them out, and provide interactive toys or food dispenser toys for them to play with at night. Establishing a routine with regular feeding times during the day can also help your kitten adjust to a more human-friendly schedule.
It is important to provide a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your kitten, away from drafts and with soft blankets and their favourite toys. While it can be beneficial to have your kitten sleep close to you for comfort and security, especially during their first few nights, it is essential to set boundaries and teach them that your bedroom is off-limits if you do not want them to disturb you at night.
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Kittens need a safe, cosy place to sleep
When a kitten first arrives in your home, it may be the first time they've been separated from their mother or littermates, so they may feel anxious or stressed. It will help them feel secure if you prepare their environment before they come home. Kittens will sleep best if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. It's best if their bed is low down to begin with, as kittens may feel safer sleeping somewhere closer to the ground. Making a 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate can work very well for the early days or weeks, especially if there are other pets or children in the home.
If you'd like your kitten to be able to sleep close to you, you could try temporarily sleeping on a floor-level bed. To help your kitten feel more secure and snug if they're sleeping in their own bed, you could get them a microwavable heat pad (used with appropriate covers to prevent burns) or a teddy to snuggle up against.
It's common for kittens to wake up fairly regularly, especially when they are in a new environment. They are often active at night when they would naturally hunt and catch prey, so they may want to pounce and play when we are dropping off to sleep. It can be helpful to feed your kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime, as this may encourage them to settle down with a full tummy.
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Kittens may sleep close to other pets or humans
Kittens have different sleeping habits from adult cats. They sleep a lot, and from birth until about two weeks of age, they sleep for around 22 hours per day, only waking to feed. 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.
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Kittens will sleep more after playtime
Kittens sleep a lot, and their sleeping habits change as they grow older. A kitten that is ten weeks old will sleep for around 18 hours a day, spread out throughout the day and night. This is because they are growing and developing rapidly, and sleep allows their body to focus its energy on this growth.
Kittens are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn. They sleep for short bursts throughout the day and night, which is called polyphasic sleep. This sleep pattern allows them to recharge and be ready to hunt for their next meal. Hunting requires a lot of energy, and cats need to be well-rested to catch their prey.
Kittens may also sleep more after playtime if they are bored. If your kitten is healthy but still sleeps a lot, they may be lazy and need more activity in their routine. You can increase their activity levels by engaging them in playtime with interactive toys.
It is important to let your kitten sleep as much as they need to and never wake them when they are fast asleep. Sleep deprivation is harmful to kittens, and they need plenty of undisturbed sleep to rest and develop properly.
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Frequently asked questions
A 10-week-old kitten will still be sleeping a lot—around 18 to 20 hours per day. It's important that they have a safe, cosy, and snug place to sleep undisturbed. Their bed should be on the floor or low down so they can get in and out easily. You could put their bed in your bedroom so they can sleep close to you, or you could create a 'kitten home' inside a large puppy crate, especially if there are other pets or children in the home.
Kittens may feel safer sleeping close to a human or another pet, but it's not recommended to let them sleep in your bed as you might accidentally squash them or they may fall off. If you want them to sleep close to you, you could sleep on a floor-level bed for the first few nights.
Kittens don't usually sleep through the night and are most active at dusk and dawn. You can encourage your kitten to sleep by feeding them wet food half an hour before bedtime so they have a full tummy. Active play during the day will also stimulate them mentally and physically so they nap less when you're awake.
