Our feline friends need so much sleep because it restores their immunity and repairs damaged cells in their body. Young cats and kittens especially will require extra sleep, to enable them to build their bones and muscles, too. So, wherever possible, you shouldn't wake your cat during any of their sleep cycles.
Letting sleeping cats lie
Most cats will be aware of what is happening, but some might be sleepy and disorientated and react defensively to a perceived threat. Cats need a lot of sleep, so don't wake them up or disturb them when they go off to their favourite nap spot.
Make sure that she has a spot to sleep in a quiet place, in order to go into her deep sleep phase, which is essential for her health and well-being. Even though she may make little noises, avoid waking your kitten while she is sleeping.
If you don't want your kitten in your room, they can be left alone whilst you sleep – give them a soft, warm and secure place to rest and they should be happy. If you do choose to do this, close the door so they can't hurt themselves whilst you sleep.
This means that the best place for a kitten to sleep is a secure spot, sheltered from draughts and warm enough is the best set-up. It is a good idea to have the kitten close to you for the first few nights. Find a cosy place next to your bed and you can even choose a spot up off the floor if possible.
Ideally, the right time to let your kitten roam the house at night is when it's already been litter trained and fully accustomed to its surroundings. There is no guaranteed time frame as getting your kitten settled in is a gradual process.
In general, a kitten between 8 weeks to 4 months can be left alone for about 4 hours. After 6 months, they can spend close to 8 hours on their own.
Kittens & Young Cats
Kittens under 4 months old should not be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. If because of your lifestyle, your cat will need to get used to time alone, begin training your kitten by gradually increasing the amount of time you are out of the house.
The answer is – not always. Cats are nocturnal animals, so it's common for them to wake up throughout the night. While it's true that kittens love snoozing and can sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day, it doesn't always happen when their human family members are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk.
A newborn kitten spends almost all of their time asleep - in fact some estimates put it around 90%, or at least 20 hours a day. Phew! However, from the age of around 8-12 weeks, you should find that that has reduced a little to around 18 hours a day.
Fading Kitten Syndrome refers to a kitten's failure to thrive during the period between birth and when they wean from their mother or from a bottle for hand-fed kittens. This period lasts about four to five weeks (when a kitten is most vulnerable to sickness).
Cats, while often independent creatures, still crave attention and love, in addition to their obvious nutritional needs of fresh water, clean litter, and food. If you decide to bring a cat or kitten into your home, you should be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes a day giving your cat loving one-on-one attention.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Sleeping alone is good for your kitten.
A cat carrier is an ideal spot for him to snooze; if you make it extra cozy, he may learn to see it as a special retreat — and that, in turn, makes it easier when you need to take him for a car ride, whether it's a visit to the veterinarian or a cross-country trip.
Some adult cats like their solitude, but kittens need lots of socialisation and activity. When they're in their busy kitten months, their little brains are working on forming strong bonds with their human and animal companions. Being left alone for long periods of time can cause loneliness.
Refrain from responding to your cat's night-time meowing.
If your cat is meowing from disability, dementia, pain, or unrequited romance, a vet can help. But if your pet just wants attention while you're catching up on sleep, you might try ignoring the behavior.
Confine your new kitten for at least 24 hours (up to several weeks for shyer kittens). This will help them adjust to their new surroundings faster, so they can focus on having fun with YOU! Confinement also helps them with litter box refresher training.
Otherwise, adding some soft blankets or cushions will stimulate the warm environment of 'mum' for your little feline. Adding a couple of quiet toys on the off chance your kitten's sleep schedule includes a midnight play session means they'll be less likely to wake you up.
In general, a happy, healthy, well-adjusted kitty shouldn't need nightly crating. If your kitten or cat is having difficulty making proper use of its litter box, it might be best to keep your cat in a crate at night while you train her to use the litter box. For ease of training, consider an automatic litter box.
You can confine a cat to a room at night if the room is prepared to accommodate the feline's needs. You must consider the room's size, ventilation, temperature, and the cat's personality and needs. These factors guarantee that your feline friend will be safe in the room throughout the night.
Kittens are often very anxious during their first night and it's normal for them to cry during the following two or three nights too. Here are some tips to help your kitten relax. For their health and well-being, kittens need a lot of sleep in a quiet place where they can relax and feel secure.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Once your cat shows interest in trying to leave the room, or is begging at the door to come out, they're ready to explore the rest of the house! Most cats will adjust within one to two weeks. If you have a multiple-animal household, it may take several months for everyone to fully adjust.