You finished a long day at work and are now contentedly tucked into bed. Then, just as you fall asleep, you feel small paws tap your head. You open your eyes to see a fuzzy visage looming over you. Your kitten’s whiskers are stretched out, and a cheerful “mew” begs you to wake up and play. Cute, right? For the first few nights, maybe. Sleep is essential for both humans and kitties. How long do kittens sleep and how do you keep them down? Fortunately, you can teach your cat to sleep through the night.
How long does a kitten sleep?
If you were forcibly awakened in the middle of the night and are dragging through the day on a caffeine infusion, enabling your cat to sleep through the night may seem impossible. With a little effort on your part, both of you will wake up refreshed and ready to face the day.
Cats and kittens sleep for an average of 18 to 20 hours. If you follow a suitable plan, 8 of those hours will coincide with your sleep period. How do you control your cat’s sleep schedule? How can you get your kitty to sleep through the night? You do so by creating a “kitten sleep schedule.”
Creating a kitten sleep routine
Every day, you follow a regimen. It helps you stay on track by helping your body to transition from activity to relaxation. You may do the same with your cat.
Important steps to keep in mind when creating a kitten sleep pattern are:
Step one: Stick to the schedule.
Whether it’s putting out food, scooping the litter box, or getting out the toys, try for the same times every day. Your cat will understand when to expect each “task” on the timetable, including bedtime.
Step 2: Schedule playtime before bedtime.
Have you ever exercised before retiring for the day? Vigorous action calms the body down. The same logic applies to cats and kittens. The more strenuous the play, the more likely your cat will sleep all night.
Step 3: Keep dinner late.
Full tummies lead to drowsy kitties. If you move the evening meal closer to bedtime, your cat will be more inclined to stretch out and sleep.
Creating the ideal kitty den
Cats sleep with humans for a variety of reasons, including warmth, territory marking, and the need for security and affection. And we enjoy it when our cats sleep with us. A gentle purr reduces our blood pressure and helps us go asleep. However, until your kitten has established a sleep schedule, you should provide them with their own cosy nest. It will reduce the desire to wake up for a play session.
The more comfortable your cat’s environment, the more likely they are to sleep throughout the night.
Step 1: Locate a bed with high sides to create a secure place.
Step 2: If you have got your kitten’s “baby blanket” tuck it inside to provide a familiar aroma. Otherwise, the softest cushion you own will remind them of “mom.”
Step 3: Include a few (silent) toys in case your kitten’s sleep routine includes a midnight play session.
If there is anything to keep your cat entertained, he is less likely to wake you up. (But avoid toys with bells or squeaks—unless you want an early wake-up call.)
Step 4: Include various accessories that each cat may require over the night.
Kittens have tiny bladders, so keep the litter box a short distance away.
The longer they travel to the loo, the more awake they will get. However, you do not want the box on top of their bed because the stench would dissuade them from resting there. Try to split the difference in litter box location.
Step 6: A handy scratching post will help you win points for Pet Parent of the Year.
Kittens and cats must stretch immediately after waking up and scratch posts and other objects. If cats have a scratching post (or cardboard scratcher) nearby, they will not feel compelled to wake you.
Getting the stubborn kitty to sleep through the night.
Working towards a kitty sleep routine takes time. Meanwhile, you’re losing sleep as your furry friend bites on your toes at night. You may have to accept the reality of closing a door while your pet adjusts to the new situation. This is where you’ll put your willpower to the test. The desire to open the door upon hearing the first sorrowful meow is frequently great.
Gently urge your kitten to sleep.
The worst thing you can do while teaching a cat to sleep through the night is wake up and respond. You must ignore the sorrowful chorus (it sounds hard, but it becomes easier). To dissuade cats, you may need to place a hoover outside your entrance.
If you want to encourage your cat to sleep through the night, make the kitten-sleeping area as enticing as possible.
Step 1: Play cat-friendly music.
Step 2: Install a night light (cats can see in low light, but a soothing glow promotes slumber).
Step 3: Consider finding a buddy for your kitten.
Should you awaken a sleeping kitten?
It can be tempting to keep your kitten up throughout the day to help them to sleep well at night, but resist. For a variety of reasons, this strategy is unlikely to work and may even backfire. To begin, keep in mind that your cat may sleep for up to 20 hours every day. That suggests their afternoon nap is almost certainly not helping to nocturnal alertness. Cats are also officially crepuscular, which means they are most active around dawn and dusk. No matter what her sleep routine is, she will have a burst of energy in the evening and early morning. You can plan playtimes or feedings around them to help burn off that energy. Finally, a sleep-deprived cat can become irritated; no pet, like you, likes to give up sleep for no reason. Allow her to have her cat naps while focusing on making sleeping at night more pleasant.
Sleepy, peaceful kitten.
Nobody wants to spend weeks of sleep amusing their cat. If you’re prepared to establish a pattern, you can have a kitten sleeping through the night in no time. Changing the toys you use prevents your cat from becoming bored during play. Making that bed as inviting as possible can encourage your kitten to burrow in and sleep all night. With patience, you will be able to rest again.
If you want to learn more about your kitten or need advice on how often to feed kittens, we’ve got you covered.
Sweet dreams!