Kittens Snuggling: Why They Sleep In Your Arms

Cats are known to sleep a lot, and it's not uncommon for them to curl up in their owner's arms like a baby. This behaviour signals a deep bond of trust and stems from a cat's instinct for safety and warmth. Cats, even domesticated, retain the instincts of their wild ancestors, and they constantly seek out environments with optimal temperatures. Your arms provide a secure, elevated spot, reminiscent of their kitten days, and your body heat offers additional comfort. Cuddling also boosts oxytocin levels, strengthening the connection between you and your feline companion.

Kitten sleeping habits

Kittens are lively, playful, and energetic, but they also need lots of sleep when they're young. Newborn kittens sleep for about 22 hours a day to support their growing bodies. As they get older, they sleep less, but they still sleep a lot—around 16 to 20 hours a day. Sleep is crucial for a kitten's health and development, boosting their immune system and conserving energy for playtime.

Kittens tend to sleep a lot during the day and may wake up at night. To help your kitten sleep through the night, you can establish a "kitten sleep schedule." This involves sticking to a consistent daily routine, including playtime before bedtime and a late dinner to make your kitten sleepier. It's also important to provide a comfortable and secure sleeping environment for your kitten, such as a bed with high sides and their favourite toys or blankets for familiarity and comfort.

Kittens often seek out human company and may enjoy sleeping in their owner's arms or lap. This behaviour indicates love and trust and is more likely to occur when the owner keeps their house cooler or at night when the kitten is seeking body heat. Sleeping in your arms may also be your kitten's way of feeling secure and safe in a new environment.

If you're concerned about your kitten's sleeping habits, such as sleeping too much or too little, it's best to consult a veterinarian for advice.

Instinct for safety and warmth

Cats are instinctively drawn to warmth and security. When a kitten sleeps in your arms, it is seeking a warm and secure haven. Your arms provide an elevated spot, reminiscent of their kitten days, when they would snuggle with their mother and littermates. This position offers a good vantage point and a sense of protection.

Kittens have a strong instinct for safety, which is why they often choose to sleep in elevated spots. By curling up in your arms, they can keep an eye on their surroundings and feel secure. This is especially important for young kittens who are still learning about the world around them.

In addition to the sense of security, your body heat provides cozy comfort for the kitten. Cats have a higher average body temperature than humans, so they seek out warmth to maintain their ideal temperature. Your arms offer the perfect spot to snuggle up and stay warm.

The release of oxytocin, also known as the "cuddle hormone," further strengthens the bond between you and your kitten. When you hold your kitten close, both of you experience a boost in oxytocin levels, promoting feelings of relaxation, trust, and well-being. This hormonal response reinforces the connection between you and your feline companion.

Sleeping in your arms also indicates the kitten's trust in you. Sleep makes creatures vulnerable, and by choosing to sleep in your arms, the kitten is showing that it feels safe and secure with you. This behaviour cements your status as part of their "colony" or family.

Benefits of letting kitten sleep in your arms

Kittens sleep in your arms because they feel safe and secure, and it reminds them of the safety they felt as a kitten with their mother. This behaviour is a sign of trust and affection, and it helps to strengthen the bond between you and your kitten. Plus, your body heat offers extra warmth and comfort.

Strengthened Bond

Cuddling releases oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone", in both you and your kitten. This promotes feelings of relaxation, trust, and wellbeing, strengthening your bond.

Stress Reduction

The release of oxytocin can also help to reduce stress for both you and your kitten. This can lead to a more relaxed and calm atmosphere in your home.

Warmth and Comfort

Kittens seek out warmth and comfort, especially in colder months. By sleeping in your arms, they can benefit from your body heat, which provides the ultimate cosy experience.

Feeling of Security

Your arms provide a secure and elevated spot for your kitten to sleep in. This position offers a good vantage point and protection, reminding them of the safety they felt as a kitten with their mother.

Encouraging Healthy Development

Kittens need plenty of sleep for their healthy development. By letting them sleep in your arms undisturbed, you are helping to ensure they get the rest they need, which is vital for their growth.

How to help kitten sleep better

Kittens sleep in their owner's arms because they feel safe and comfortable. They are in a new environment, and it takes time for them to adjust. While it may be cute, it can be challenging for their owners if the kitten is disrupting their sleep. Here are some tips to help your kitten sleep better:

Firstly, it is important to remember that kittens are naturally active at dawn and dusk, and they may take some time to adjust to your schedule. Playing with your kitten and tiring them out before bedtime can help them sleep through the night. Puzzle games, chasing a ping pong ball, or playing with a toy mouse on a string are great ways to tire them out.

Secondly, kittens are comforted by familiar objects, especially those that smell familiar. Having their favorite blanket or toy nearby can help them feel secure and sleep better. It is also a good idea to provide them with a cozy bed that has high sides so they can keep their toys close by. Make sure their bed is in a secure, warm, and draft-free spot, preferably in an elevated location as kittens feel safer in higher places.

Thirdly, kittens tend to gravitate towards warmth and coziness. Keeping their bed close to you for the first few nights can help them feel safer. You can also use a FELIWAY Optimum Diffuser to provide a calming environment and aid in training your kitten to sleep.

Lastly, it is important to establish a bedtime routine. Feed your kitten a high-protein meal before you go to bed, as cats naturally doze after eating. Also, try to feed them at the same time each day and set aside regular playtime, especially before bedtime, to help them adapt to your routine.

Why kittens sleep near their owners

Cats are known to sleep a lot, taking naps throughout the day and night. This is called polyphasic sleep. They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn, and their sleeping habits are programmed for hunting, which requires a lot of energy. As a result, kittens need a lot of sleep, with young kittens sleeping for around 22 hours per day.

Kittens and some adult cats may feel safer sleeping close to another pet or a human. Young kittens may never have slept alone before and may want to snuggle up with their owners for warmth and comfort. This behaviour signals a deep bond of trust and has roots in a cat's instinct for safety and warmth. The owner's arms provide a secure, elevated spot, reminiscent of their kitten days with their mother. Additionally, the owner's body heat offers cosy comfort, especially during colder months.

Cuddling with kittens also boosts oxytocin levels, also known as the "cuddle hormone," in both the owner and the kitten. This promotes feelings of relaxation, trust, and well-being, strengthening the bond between the two. Kittens may also sleep near their owners due to their love for warmth and their higher average body temperature than humans. Overall, when a kitten chooses to sleep near its owner, it is a sign of trust and affection, indicating that they feel safe and secure in their presence.

Frequently asked questions