Gina Johnson
Kittens are known to sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day—and it's usually nothing to worry about. However, if you're concerned about your 9-week-old kitten's sleeping habits, there are several factors to consider. Kittens need plenty of healthy calories in their early weeks to build strength, so an imbalanced diet may cause lethargy and drowsiness. Dehydration, boredom, and weather can also affect sleeping patterns. Additionally, lethargy in kittens can indicate a serious health condition, so if your kitten seems sluggish or is sleeping excessively, it's best to consult a veterinarian.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | Kittens sleep more the younger they are. Newborns sleep for 22 hours a day, and this decreases as they mature. A 6-month-old kitten sleeps for 16-20 hours a day. |
| Diet | Lack of nutritious food or dehydration may cause lethargy and drowsiness. |
| Weather | Kittens tend to sleep more during winter or rainy months. |
| Boredom | Kittens may sleep more if they have nothing to do. |
| Health | Lethargy in kittens can be a sign of a serious health condition, such as anaemia. |
| Hunting | Cats sleep a lot to conserve energy for hunting, which requires a lot of effort. |
| Development | Kittens need sleep for their development, growth, and to strengthen their immune system. |
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What You'll Learn
Kittens need more sleep than adult cats
Kittens are known to sleep a lot, and young kittens sleep more than adult cats. A newborn kitten sleeps for around 22 hours per day, which is about 90% of the time. As they grow older, they sleep less, but even at six months old, they can still sleep for up to 20 hours a day. By the time they are three months old, kittens will sleep for about 18 hours a day, spread throughout the day and night. In comparison, adult cats average around 16 hours of sleep per day.
Kittens also sleep more than adult cats because they are still learning about their environment. As they get older, they will explore their surroundings more and sleep less. Additionally, kittens tend to be more active at night than adult cats, so they need to sleep more during the day to make up for this.
It is important to let kittens sleep as much as they need to and not disturb them. Interrupted sleep or a lack of sleep can be harmful to kittens. However, if you notice that your kitten is sleeping more than usual or seems to have low energy when awake, this could indicate a medical problem such as anaemia, so you should seek veterinary advice.
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Lethargy in kittens can be a sign of a serious health condition
Kittens tend to sleep a lot—up to 20 hours a day—but lethargy could indicate a serious health issue. Kittens need plenty of healthy calories in their early weeks to build strength. An imbalanced diet may cause lethargy and drowsiness, and kittens need frequent feeding to maintain their energy levels. If your kitten is uninterested in play, this could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
If your kitten is vomiting, has diarrhoea, or is experiencing difficulty breathing, you should seek immediate veterinary care. Lethargy can be a symptom of many illnesses, including infections, parasites, congenital defects, diabetes, pain, arthritis, heart disease, or cancer.
If your kitten is lively when awake and eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, it is probably fine. However, if you are concerned about your kitten's health, you should always seek professional veterinary advice.
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Kittens sleep more in winter or rainy months
Kittens sleep a lot—from birth until about two weeks of age, they sleep for around 22 hours per day, and by the time they're three months old, they'll sleep for about 18 hours. Kittens and senior cats may need more sleep than the typical 15-20 hours of sleep that adult cats get per day.
Kittens tend to sleep more during the winter or rainy months. This may be due to changes in daylight and temperature, as well as a natural instinct to conserve energy and maintain body heat. In the wild, some cat species reduce their activity during the colder months when prey is scarcer. Domestic cats may do this too, even if their food source is consistent year-round. With shorter daylight hours in the winter, cats may spend more time sleeping in sunny spots to soak up warmth.
Kittens may also sleep more if they are bored, have an upset stomach, or are experiencing food poisoning. Lack of nutritious food can cause lethargy and drowsiness, and overfeeding may result in longer periods of sleep. Dehydration can also cause lethargy, as cats rely on their food to get enough moisture.
If your kitten is lively when they are awake and they are eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, they are probably fine. However, if you are concerned about your kitten's sleeping habits, you should speak to your vet.
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Lack of nutritious food can cause drowsiness
Kittens need plenty of healthy calories in their early weeks to build up strength. Lack of nutritious food can cause drowsiness and lethargy. Kittens have a higher requirement for protein, amino acids, and minerals, as well as some vitamins. For example, kittens should get about 30% of their energy from protein.
Kittens also require more calcium than adult cats because they need calcium for the growth and development of their skeletons. Excess calcium can be problematic, contributing to growth abnormalities. A lack of calcium can also be an issue, as it can cause hyperparathyroidism, which is more common in rapidly growing kittens.
Kittens should be fed three to four meals a day, with portion feeding being the best way to prevent obesity. A weaned-off kitten should be fed 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food every two to four hours. It is important to monitor your kitten's appetite throughout the day, as some may prefer their entire daily calorie intake in one sitting, while others may prefer to nibble throughout the day.
It is also important to ensure your kitten is getting enough moisture. Dry food has zero moisture, which can lead to dehydration, UTIs, and kidney infections. Wet food should be given to weaned-off kittens to keep them hydrated and healthy.
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Kittens sleep more when they're bored
Kittens are known to sleep a lot, and it is not unusual for them to snooze up to 22 hours a day during their first few weeks. As they grow older, their sleeping habits change, but they still spend most of their day sleeping. Kittens are growing and developing, so they need up to 20 hours of sleep per day.
Kittens sleep more when they are bored. Boredom can lead to other problematic behaviours in cats, such as destruction, constant meowing, and over-grooming. To prevent boredom, cats need stimulation throughout the day in the form of vertical territory (cat trees, scratching posts, and cat shelves), puzzles, and interactive toys.
If your kitten is sleeping a lot, it could be because they are awake at night. To keep them from waking you up at sunrise, make sure they have things to do while you are asleep, such as scratching on a post or looking out the window.
If your kitten is lively when they are awake and they are eating, drinking, and going to the toilet regularly, they are probably fine. However, if you are concerned about your kitten's sleeping habits, you should speak to your vet, who will be happy to check that everything is okay.
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Frequently asked questions
Kittens need a lot of sleep, especially when they are very young. A newborn kitten sleeps for around 22 hours per day, and by the time they are three months old, they will sleep for around 18 hours. A 9-week-old kitten will need a lot of sleep to support its growth and development.
If your kitten seems sluggish when awake, or is constantly and suddenly sleeping more than usual, this could be a sign of anaemia. Check your kitten's gums, if they are pale, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Kittens sleep less as they get older, but you can also encourage your kitten to sleep less by providing plenty of age-appropriate toys for them to play with. You can also add exercise to their daily routine.
Feed your kitten just before you go to bed, and leave some food out for them to snack on during the night. This will reduce the chances of your kitten waking you up for food.
