Last Updated: 5 hours ago
Are you wondering, “Where should kittens sleep at night?”
Bringing a new kitty home is exciting, but it’s not always easy to decide where to put kittens at night, especially for the first few weeks.
Fortunately, I’m here to talk about everything you should know about kittens and their sleeping habits.
Just keep reading.
Where Should Kittens Sleep At Night?
Kittens spend more than 18–20 hours napping in the first few months of their lives. They need their beauty sleep to grow big and strong. That’s why it’s important to pick the right sleeping spot.
So, where should kittens sleep at night?
Kittens should sleep at night in a cozy, warm place where they feel safe and protected, and you can keep an eye on them. Your kitty can sleep in your bedroom, in a kitten-cat bed, or in another room.
That’s the short answer. And now I’m going to give you the long one.
Where Should a Kitten Sleep on the First Night?
Kittens get upset when in an unfamiliar environment because they are alone and their mother or siblings aren’t there.
It’s especially hard at night because they’re used to cuddling close to each other.
That’s why a lot of kittens hide if you don’t pick the right sleeping place, and then you have to figure out how to get your kitty to come out of hiding.
So, where should a kitten sleep on the first night?
During the first night, your kitten should sleep in a cozy bed with a soft blanket in a warm, sheltered spot away from drafts, preferably in a kitten-proof room.
Of course, you can also put your kitty in your bedroom. Some kittens bond quickly and will be less lonely if they’re close to you. It will also help you form a strong bond with your pet.
But if the kitty is still too scared of you, it’s best to give your pet a few days to settle in and get used to its surroundings and your scent. Otherwise, neither you nor the cat will get any rest during the night.
To make the transition easier, some specialists recommend that you bring some of your kitten’s old bedding—a blanket or a toy, for example. The familiar scent can soothe the kitty when she is in distress.
Should I Let My Kitten Sleep with Me?
Many cat owners allow their cats to sleep in the bed, but what about those adorable kittens?
That’s not an easy question. On the one hand, allowing your kitten to sleep with you will strengthen your bond and help the kitty get used to its new home.
It also allows you to keep an eye on the little one without having to get up in the middle of the night to check if there’s a problem.
On the other hand, kittens are very energetic and likely to pounce on every object that moves, including your toes and fingers. And they will disturb your sleep.
Moreover, you can hurt your kitty by accident if you toss and turn in bed. And some kittens are so anxious that they can wet the bed or have a bad fall.
So, should I let my kitten sleep with me? It depends on how old your kitty is and how comfortable you are with a cat in bed.
In general, young kittens should sleep alone because they won’t feel very protected in a large bed with a person who isn’t their friend. And it’s better in the long run. More about why in a bit.
But once your kitty is a little bit older, you can get them to cuddle next to you with no problems.
Can I Let My Kitten Sleep Alone at Night?
While kittens are used to sleeping with their siblings, they quickly adapt to the new situation. So, you can let your kitty sleep alone without feeling guilty.
It’s easier for kittens to create a bedtime routine and adapt to your sleep schedule when they have a separate sleeping spot.
And it’s good for them because they don’t become dependent on your presence to go to sleep. It also helps to establish the bed as “off-limits” if you don’t want the kitten there.
Moreover, as I’ve already said, it’s easy to injure such a small creature by accident, and you won’t be able to rest if you have to be on guard not to squish the kitty.
And even if your kitty isn’t interested in a bed, it should have a separate kitten bed away from you. In this way, the kitty can snooze in a safe spot when you’re not around.
But if you want to keep the kitty close, you can get a cat basket/bed and place it in a discreet corner of the bedroom to make the kitty feel less lonely.
You can also create a cozy nest made from blankets and cardboard boxes to fashion a secure den.
Should I Keep My Kitten in a Cage at Night?
In general, kittens don’t need crate training in the same way puppies do. Most kittens quickly learn to use the litter box with a bit of training and rarely make a mess, so there’s no need for a cage.
However, if your kitty is still learning how to use the litter box, you can get a cat cage for the first few weeks.
But it’s not something you should use to put your kitten away when it’s making too much noise around the house or bothering you for attention.
Using a cat cage in the wrong way can also make your kitten wary of the cat carrier and make your job of getting the kitten to the vet a challenge.
Can I Put My Kitten in a Separate Room During the Night?
In general, most kittens don’t mind sleeping on their own, and it’s a good way to build their confidence.
Being in a separate room from the beginning also establishes boundaries and nurtures good sleeping behavior.
However, you should consider the advantages of having a kitten cuddle with you when they’re big enough.
As Bill Fish, a sleep specialist, explains, “As you feel your cat’s rhythmic breathing, it soothes you and helps you get to sleep more quickly.”
Studies also prove that sleeping with a cat improves your quality of sleep.
How to Organize a Cat Room for Your Kitties at Night
It’s not hard to prepare a cat room for your kitten where the little one will feel safe and sleep soundly. You just have to keep a couple of things in mind.
Kitten-Proof the Room
- Remove any hazardous items, poisonous plants, and chewable or breakable objects from the room. Kittens are curious and will bite almost anything to see if it’s edible.
- If you take pills, I recommend checking the floor and under the furniture to ensure there aren’t any spilled pills or other toxic substances.
- Also, block access to any crooks and nooks. Kittens seek tiny spaces because they feel safer, especially when asleep.
Provide the Necessities
- Place the cat bed or cardboard box with lots of blankets in a secure spot inside the quiet, kitten-proof room. Provide a hot water bottle if you think your kitten will be cold.
- Don’t forget about a food bowl, litter tray, and water.
- The litter box should be away from the food or water bowl because cats don’t like to eat or drink close to their waste.
- It’s not necessary to provide a night light, but you can leave one on if you think your kitten will have a hard time finding its food and water bowls.
Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation
- Provide safe cat toys so that your kitten will have something to play with when they wake up and won’t look for interesting places to hide or climb.
- You should also place a scratching post inside your kitten’s sleeping room. Cats like to sharpen their claws after waking up, and training a kitten to use a scratching post is easier than training an adult cat.
- Ensure you spend enough time bonding with your kitten before bedtime.
How to Train Kitten to Sleep At Night
You’ve already decided where to put the kittens at night, but the little one doesn’t sleep through the night, making it hard for you to rest.
Do kittens sleep through the night, and how do you put a kitten to sleep? Let’s find out.
Understand Kitten’s Nocturnal Activity
Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they’re most active in the hours around dawn and dusk when their prey is just waking up.
As such, it’s normal behavior for kittens to be awake in the wee hours and full of energy they have to burn. So, don’t think your kitty is keeping you awake on purpose.
Older cats are better at sleeping through the night because they synch their sleeping pattern with yours.
My cat used to be a menace as a kitten but now sleeps soundly through the night.
Establish a Routine
In order to train them to let you sleep, you’ll need to create a new routine with your cat.
Play with your kitty an hour or two before their bedtime. An exhausted kitten is more likely to spend the night snoozing than one filled with energy.
After playtime is over, you should feed your kitty its evening meal. Cats often fall asleep shortly after eating to conserve energy.
It will take time for your kitty to get used to their nighttime routine, so don’t expect a miracle in a couple of days.
Keep the Kitten Occupied During the Day
If your kitty is bored during the day, it will spend the majority of the time snoozing and napping around the house. And it will be too full of energy to sleep through the night.
Ensure your kitty has plenty of toys to play with during the day.
Food puzzles, activity boards, and interactive toys can keep the little one occupied and burn off most of the excess energy.
However, be careful not to overdo it. Remember that kittens get tired quickly and need plenty of rest, even during the day.
Change the Feeding Schedule
As I already said, kittens will fall asleep shortly after you feed them.
So, feeding the little one later in the evening or night can help ensure that the kitty sleeps through the night without bothering you.
Just make sure that you feed them a high-quality wet food brand so that your kitty has the necessary nutrients to grow strong.
Provide a Familiar Object
Sometimes kittens can’t sleep through the night because they’re not used to being alone and are afraid of their mother or siblings.
A familiar object, such as a blanket or a toy, can soothe your kitty’s anxiety and make it easier for them to stay asleep.
Ignore Crying
It’s not easy to listen to your kitten’s pitiful meows late in the evening or early in the morning. But it’s normal for kittens to be extra vocal when they’re lonely, hungry, or bored.
So, should I ignore my kitten’s crying at night?
While you will be tempted to provide comfort and reassurance when your kitty is crying, cat specialists advise against such actions.
That’s because kittens are likely to continue crying at night when they’re older if they know you’ll come running. Ignoring the crying is your best option to prevent such attention-seeking behavior.
However, sometimes cats meow because they’re hurt, in pain, or ill. So, you should check on your feline friend to ensure there’s no problem or danger.
Consider Medication
In extreme cases, you can try some natural sleep remedies to help your kitty sleep through the night.
Melatonin and valerian are safe for cats, but you shouldn’t give them to them without consulting a vet.
You can also try playing some calming music to lull your kitty to sleep.
FAQs
At What Age Do Kittens Sleep Through the Night?
Most kittens don’t sleep through the night until they’re several years old and used to your sleeping patterns.
But you can speed up the process by establishing a bedtime routine and feeding your kitten later in the evening.
How Long Should a Kitten Sleep at Night?
It depends on the kitty’s age. Newborn kittens spend the majority of their time sleeping, but 2-3-month-old kittens sleep around 8–10 hours a night.
Should I Let My Kitten Sleep Anywhere?
No, you shouldn’t let your kitty sleep anywhere because it can get inside the washing machine, get stuck in a tight space, or get inside wardrobes and cupboards.
Conclusion
Where should my kitten sleep at night?
Kittens don’t need much to be comfortable during the night; your love and a soft bed or blanket in a quiet room are enough.
The first few days with a new kitty are always hard, so don’t feel guilty if you’re overwhelmed. It’s going to get better very soon, and you’ll have an adorable kitten to spoil with food, treats, and toys.
What do you think about this topic? Where should kittens sleep at night? Where do your kittens sleep? Tell us in the comment section.
References:
Olfa knows how to get things done and has a keen business sense that others admire. She’s always on the go, coming up with new ideas! Her ability to anticipate the needs of her readers and deliver information that they want is what makes CatVills such a success. She loves cuddling her cat Picaciu. He is her inspiration.