It's almost inevitable that your kitten will cry for at least the first couple of nights when you bring them home. Remember, they've just been removed from their mum and littermates and they're bound to feel a little bit lonely. The best thing you can do is keep your kitten feeling as safe and warm as possible.
It is completely normal for kittens to cry on their first few nights in a new environment. A good idea is to warm up a blanket to mimic the warmth they would get from their mother so that they feel more at home. You can also use a warm blanket for puppies, as well as toys to comfort them.
Newborn to 8 Weeks
In their first weeks of life, it's normal to hear baby kittens crying or meowing because they need food and warmth, says the ASPCA. Kittens usually stay with their mothers until the age of 8 weeks so that they can nurse and stay cozy.
Kittens are curious creatures with high energy, and they require lots of mental and physical stimulation while they're awake in order to be happy. If a kitten is constantly crying, they may be looking for your attention or calling out in search of another kitten or their mother—especially if they were just adopted.
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.
Should I Let My Kitten Cry At Night? Kittens can cry a lot, generally, because they are trying to tell you something, but don't worry, this behavior will wane as they get older! While it's good to comfort them and help them feel better, it's not always possible to do so.
Introduce kittens to different parts of the house, different objects, different pets and people, and different experiences—all help them adjust to new situations. If you haven't already, introduce the kittens to scratching posts and trim their claws for the first time.
It's almost inevitable that your kitten will cry for at least the first couple of nights when you bring them home. Remember, they've just been removed from their mum and littermates and they're bound to feel a little bit lonely. The best thing you can do is keep your kitten feeling as safe and warm as possible.
The good news is that most kittens calm down with age. Cats develop much quicker than their hooman families so you can expect your kitten to slow down at around 9-14 months as they advance into adulthood.
The First Night
The truth is, kittens are full of energy, and they don't always understand the whole “sleep at night” thing. If the kitten room happens to be your bedroom, then you just may end up with a kitten curled against you in the night. But don't feel bad about leaving them in their room to go sleep in yours.
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.
Young cats
Kittens and younger cats may be more likely to display late night activity as they generally have more energy and play interest than older cats.
Your kitten is still small.
Or he could be hurt if you or your spouse roll over on him accidentally. Wait until he's of a size to make that an unlikely risk. My main rule of thumb is to wait until the kitten is old enough to get up on the bed on his own — typically around his 6-month birthday.
Unless you know for certain that your kitten wants something from you it can't have, avoid ignoring its needs. Your kitten may not have access to its litter or may be out of water. Likewise, don't scold your kitten for crying too much. It is not only not likely to stop it from crying, but may make it fear you.
A major part of getting a kitten to sleep has to do with how well the sleeping arrangements match their needs. Kittens will look for warmth and cosiness when they want to 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.
Playing with your cat and providing them with interactive toys, such as wand toys and puzzle toys, can also reduce anxiety. Over-the-counter calming products, such as pheromones and supplements, may help reduce anxiety but should be discussed with a veterinarian first.
Cats Sleep Much More Every Day than Humans
Senior cats tend to sleep more than young adult cats. Newborn kittens sleep close to 24 hours a day, while older kittens in the 8-to-12-week range tend to sleep closer to 20 hours a day.
Kittens may poop up to three times per day, while older cats are usually less often. If your cat poops more than 3 times per day or less than once per day, consult your veterinarian. It typically takes 10-24 hours for food your cat eats to move through the digestive tract.
The optimal time to quickly tame feral kittens is between four and eight weeks, their natural weaning period. There are many biological reasons that make kittens emotionally predisposed to accepting humans so readily at this age.
Your cat might meow at night because they feel bored, unstimulated, lonely or just want to go outside. If your cat won't stop crying at night even when they have plenty of play time, other causes to consider are thyroid or kidney disease.
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.
Cats can see in very low light, so it's likely that even with the lights off they'll be able to move around effortlessly. However, it can take a bit of time before they get accustomed to their new environment so having a low night light on to make things easier at the beginning is a good idea.