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Bringing home a new kitten is nothing short of exciting. You are thrilled to play with your kitten and see what all they can get into. However, it can be worrisome to bring that kitten home and find out that they’re sleeping a lot. It may even lead you to wonder if something is wrong with your kitten.
But if your kitten seems to be sleeping more than anything else, you don’t necessarily need to worry. It’s normal for a kitten to sleep up to 85% of the day. That’s equivalent to about 18-21 hours of sleep, depending on their age. But sleeping the day away is only temporary. As your kitten gets older, they’ll sleep less. But even an adult cat can sleep up to 15-18 hours per day. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about your kitten’s sleeping habits.
Why Do Kittens Sleep So Much?
Part of the reason that cats sleep so much is due to their lifestyle and energy management. Cats in the wild sleep a lot to conserve their energy. By conserving their energy, they are better able to hunt for their food. Even though you provide all the food for your cat so they don’t need to hunt, they still have those instincts, and stalking and pouncing remain their main playing activity.
Kittens sleep even more than adult cats do. In the wild, while their parents are out hunting, the kittens stay behind and sleep. This helps to keep them safe by encouraging them to remain quiet and undetected by predators.
Another reason that kittens sleep so much is that their bodies use a lot of energy. Just like human babies grow and develop, kittens do too. Their body works hard to help them develop a strong immune system as well as bones, muscles, and tissues. As they get older and more active, they also have more energy to spare and they start to sleep less.
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Why Are Kittens More Active at Night?
Your kitten sleeps for most of the day, but then when you’re settling in at night, it seems like that’s when they’re up making noise, eating, and playing. You may have heard that cats are nocturnal, but this is not entirely true. Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active twice a day- at dawn and dusk.
Kittens are most active in the evenings and early morning (nighttime hours to you and me) because that’s how they adapted in the wild. Dawn and dusk are the best time for hunting. It makes sense that this is when your cat is most likely to be up eating and playing, especially after sleeping most of the day away.
If your kitten’s activity at night is interrupting your sleep, don’t worry. It’s important to remember that since kittens are still developing, you can change their behaviors by helping them adapt to living in your home.
Playing with your kitten more during the day when they’re awake can help tire them out at night. This is especially true if you play with your cat right before bedtime. Getting them worn out can help them sleep throughout the night, which can also prevent them from waking you up as well.
What If My Kitten Doesn’t Sleep Enough/Too Much?
Kittens can sleep anywhere from 18 to 21 hours per day depending on their age. And remember that a kitten’s sleeping habits will change as they get older. But if your kitten is sleeping a lot less or more than they should, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
A kitten that is sleeping excessively, often paired with being quiet or lethargic when awake, not interested in playing, eating less, drinking more or less, having a fever or a stomach upset, are all indicators of an underlying medical issue that needs urgent veterinary intervention. Kittens being so small are at risk of rapid dehydration when they’re sick, not eating or drinking as much as they should, or having fluid loss, such as diarrhea.
There are many health conditions that can cause abnormal sleepiness in kittens such as parasite infestations, such as fleas leading to life-threatening anemia, intestinal parasites causing digestive problems, and congenital health issues such as defects in the heart, liver, or infectious disease.
If your kitten seems to be having trouble sleeping or sleeping more than normal, especially if it has happened suddenly or is combined with signs of illness listed above, it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian to find out what’s going on.
How Can I Improve My Kitten’s Sleeping Habits?
If your kitten is keeping you up at night and the problem isn’t the result of a medical condition, it’s usually the result of them either being hungry or wanting to play. But don’t worry, there are several things you can do to adjust your kitten’s sleeping schedule so that it lines up with yours.
Comfort
The first thing you can do is to make sure that they have a comfy place to sleep. This may sound obvious, but just providing a bed for a kitten often isn’t enough if your kitten doesn’t feel safe. Find a quiet location to put your kitten’s bed, either in your room or another room, where they feel safe and protected. Once your kitten is in their safe place at night and sleeping, don’t disturb them.
Play
Once your kitten is old enough to play, play with them more periodically throughout the day. Just don’t play with them too much at once because this could tire them out too early. It’s okay for them to nap during the day, but you don’t want them to nap for too long because they may not be tired when it is your bedtime. Instead, wait until right before bedtime to do the most exciting playing. That way, they’ll be tired and more likely to sleep all night.
Feeding
Feeding your kitten right before bedtime can also prevent them from waking up in the middle of the night due to being hungry. If they have a full belly, they’re more likely to sleep for longer. You can also leave a little bit of food near their bed at night. That way they can easily access it if they do wake up hungry.
Attention
Finally, don’t give your kitten attention unless you feel like something is really wrong. If they just want to play or be petted, try to ignore them. They will keep doing it if they know that they can get you to pay attention to them that way.
Even if you do all of these things, it can still take a while for your kitten to adjust to a new sleeping schedule. Stick with a routine and don’t give up on it. As your kitten grows and learns new things, they will eventually adjust.
Should You Wake a Sleeping Kitten?
If your kitten is very young, it’s not a good idea to wake them from a nap, nor is it necessary. They need all of the rest they can get to help the body grow and develop properly. It can be tempting to want to wake them up and play with them but letting them get the right amount of sleep is the best thing for their health and development.
Once your kitten is a bit older and you’re trying to train them to sleep through the night, it’s okay for you to wake them occasionally throughout the day. However, you shouldn’t wake them every time you see them sleeping. Remember that even adult cats still need around 15-18 hours of sleep per day. You don’t want to affect their sleep schedule too much by waking them up too often. They may just find a different quieter place to sleep, if they get disturbed by you too often.
Conclusion
Kittens need to sleep up to 85% of the day, especially when they are younger and their bodies are intensively growing and developing. As your kitten gets older, they will start to sleep less due to having more energy and being more active. However, due to instincts and energy conservation, sleeping still makes up the majority of a cat’s day. Unless you notice any sudden changes in your cat’s sleeping habits, don’t worry too much about the amount of time they sleep, as long as they are behaving normally when they’re awake.
Related Reads:
- How Old Are Kittens When They Open Their Eyes?
- Why Is My Cat Staying Up All Night? Is Something Wrong?
Featured Image Credit: beton studio, Shutterstock
