Where to let kitten sleep?
Experiencing a brand new home is daunting for a tiny kitten. Every kitten has a unique personality; some are shy while others are confident. Whatever their character, this is potentially a traumatic transition for kittens as they are leaving their mothers and siblings for the first time.
With this in mind, it’s best to choose a room where it can be kept for the first few weeks to adjust gradually to its new surroundings. This confinement also aids toilet training and avoids the risk of ‘accidents’ elsewhere in the house. Careful selection of the appropriate room should take the following into consideration:
You might want to purchase, borrow or hire a kitten pen (or large dog ‘crate’ of similar construction). A kitten pen is a large metal cage with a solid floor that is normally used for kittening queens or cats after surgery that need to be confined. You could also use one which goes in the back of a car for dogs. It is quite large with plenty of room for a bed, toys, food, water and a litter tray. Many are easily collapsible to enable the pen to be moved from room to room. It is an invaluable asset when you have a new kitten. You can start with it in a quiet room and move it more into the centre of activity as the kitten settles in. It gives you somewhere to put the kitten safely at night or when you are not around to watch it (the term curiosity killed the cat was no doubt coined for kittens!).
It is advisable to bring the kitten home with some bedding; this will act as a familiar object when everything else is new. The initial twenty-four hours should be a calm period of adjustment so it’s probably best for any children in the household to understand that the kitten should be left alone for a while. The kitten room should be prepared in advance to enable the new arrival to settle in comfortably with minimum disturbance. Place the cat basket on the floor gently and open the lid; allow the kitten to explore in its own time. It may be experiencing many of the room’s sights, sounds, smells and textures for the first time so be patient and allow a period of investigation.
Offer food, water and a freshly prepared litter tray to the kitten within the room or in the cage so the kitten knows it is its den. Once the kitten has investigated and found them all, it’s safe to leave the room for a while. Don’t worry if little interest is shown in food at this stage. The piece of familiar bedding can be placed inside a cardboard box or cat bed to help the kitten feel at home. It may be helpful to maintain the same litter material that the kitten was used to in its previous home during the initial period, making any changes gradually once the newcomer is completely settled.
Kittens need their sleep when they are young, even more so than adult cats, but in between catnaps they exhibit energetic bursts of activity. Kittens love to climb so be prepared to go to the rescue; going up is always easier than coming down.
Getting to know the kitten is really important to enable a bond to be created so interaction should take place during the times when it feels naturally active and appears responsive. No matter how cute a kitten looks it should never be woken for affection or playtime. If the kitten seems receptive, play with it but don’t persevere if it seems disinterested or anxious; there’s a lot to take in at the start. Don’t coax the kitten out of a hiding place; spend time in the room reading a book or watching television, for example, instead of forcing the relationship to develop. If you want to appeal to your new kitten, spend time on the floor at kitten level – allow family members to visit individually rather than crowding into the room all at once.
During the first couple of days, any handling should ideally take place when the kitten initiates it. After the first forty-eight hours, handle the kitten throughout the day for short periods of time, rather than providing continuous physical contact.
If you have young children, allow them limited supervised contact initially to avoid the kitten being over-handled. See our information on introducing children to a new cat or kitten.
At this age, the kitten needs plenty of rest so always allow the kitten to sleep uninterrupted. If you have a kitten cage you can simply put it away for a while so it can rest in peace. It also has a tiny stomach at this age so offering 4-6 small meals at regular intervals throughout the day will avoid any potential stomach upsets.
Don’t rush to introduce the kitten to other cats and dogs – this needs to be done carefully.
See:
How to introduce a new kitten to your resident cat How to introduce a new adult cat to your resident cat
It’s important from day one to set the routines that you intend to establish for the future. Many owners feel that kittens need to be close to them at night, particularly when they first arrive, but this can set an undesirable precedent for nocturnal games and excitement and no sleep whatsoever for you! Cats are naturally active at dawn and dusk but your kitten can soon learn to adjust its sleeping patterns to fit in with your lifestyle. There is nothing cruel in putting a kitten to bed in a cosy, warm and secure environment (such as the kitten cage) until you wake in the morning, but the location and type of bed are important to ensure a stress-free night. Any bed provided for a kitten should have high sides to keep out draughts and a low front for easy access. The lining material should be thick and thermal to keep the kitten warm.
When you first take a kitten home feed it on the same food it has been used to. A sudden change of diet combined with the stress of adapting to a new home can cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea. If you want to change the diet, do so gradually by mixing it with the kitten’s usual food. Kittens have small stomachs and have to be fed little and often, like babies. It can be very difficult to put together a homemade diet which provides all the nutrients required by growing kittens – it is a great deal easier to feed a good quality commercial kitten food and spend the time playing with the kitten instead! There are foods which have been specially formulated for kittens because they have different nutritional needs to the fully grown cat. Read and follow the feeding instructions carefully. If the food is marked ‘complete’ it contains everything the kitten needs to stay healthy. If it is marked ‘complementary’ it does not supply all the kitten needs and should be fed with other foods.
Kittens aged 8-12 weeks need four meals a day, 3-6 months three meals, and kittens over 6 months old, two meals. You may want to provide some dry food on an ad lib basis – it depends very much on your lifestyle, what your kitten likes and is used to and if you have other cats in the house with certain feeding routines and habits.
Do not give your kitten cow’s milk as it can cause diarrhoea. If you wish to feed milk use one that is specially formulated for cats. Diarrhoea that persists for more than 24 hours requires veterinary attention. Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Feeding your cat or kitten
Cats are very fussy about their toilet habits and kittens will usually have learnt to use a litter tray by copying their mother. You may just need to show your new kitten where the litter tray is and place it on the tray on waking up from a sleep and after meals, or when the kitten is sniffing, scratching or beginning to crouch and looks as if it is about to go!
If you are using a kitten cage then you can place the litter tray in there, if not place the tray in a quiet accessible corner where your kitten will not be disturbed. Make sure that the litter tray is not right next to food and water bowls. The kitten may be reluctant to use the litter tray if it is too close to its food. Click here for information on how to choose and use a litter tray.
Place the kitten on the litter tray a short time after it has eaten or when it is sniffing, scratching, beginning to crouch and generally showing signs of looking for a suitable corner to use as a toilet.
How to choose the right litter tray, litter and tray position for your cat
Because of potential infection from diseases such as enteritis or cat flu, your kitten should not be allowed outside until at least a week after it has finished its first course of vaccinations at about 13 – 14 weeks old (depending on the vaccine). You could then let it explore outside with your supervision. Before you let it have free access outdoors, make sure you have had your kitten neutered (at around 4 months), that it is fully vaccinated and has become used to life in your house.
How to let your kitten or cat out for the first time
It is important that your cat can be identified if he becomes lost or injured away from home. Microchipping is the best form of permanent identification and some people like their cat to wear a collar as well. When your kitten becomes older (over 6 months old) you may like to fit a collar on so that he has some form of identification or to carry a magnet or ‘key’ to an electronic cat flap – never put on a collar just for the sake of wearing one. For a young, rapidly growing cat you will need to remember to check the collar’s fit (you should be able to get one or two fingers under the collar) and increase its size accordingly.
Identifying your cat How to choose and fit a collar for your cat or kitten
Kittens are very playful. Give them an assortment of toys to keep them occupied and exercised – these need not be expensive – every kitten loves a cardboard box to play in. Play is also a good way for you to get to know and trust each other. Provide your kitten with a scratching post.
Playing with your cat
It is a good idea to accustom your kitten to being groomed from an early age, particularly if it has a long coat. A long-haired cat needs daily attention to keep fur free of tangles. Grooming removes excess loose hairs which can cause fur balls to build up in the stomach. Combing and brushing will help remove these hairs and it is usually appreciated by the cat, provided it has been accustomed to grooming early in life. Grooming also gives you a chance to keep a close eye on your cat, assess its health and help to develop the bond between you. Always be gentle and make grooming a rewarding and pleasant experience.
How to groom your cat
A new kitten will need a health check-up shortly after arrival. This will give the veterinarian the opportunity to give any vaccinations necessary and advise on flea treatment, worming, neutering, microchip identification and other general care. Keeping your cat healthy
Preparation is the key to a calm introduction so you will already have prepared your home by purchasing all the necessary items, such as litter tray, food and water bowls, scratching post and bedding. It is advisable to keep a new cat indoors for at least two to three weeks to ensure it becomes fully acclimatised to the new home and less likely to panic and stray in search of somewhere else more familiar.
This will be a potentially challenging time for an adult cat adopted from a rehoming centre as a period of confinement often leaves them in a state of anxiety. The cat may retreat into a hiding place initially but is best left there as you go about your business to allow it to decide alone when it is safe to explore. Cats will occasionally in the first few days (or weeks if they are particularly shy) only eat and use their litter tray in the dead of night. The really anxious cat may even fail to do either for the first twenty-four hours. This is a part of the process that is best ignored by putting down fresh food and checking the litter tray regularly and letting nature take its course. If the situation persists beyond this period then it would be wise to consult a veterinarian.
So, where should my kitten sleep at night? The best place for your kitten to sleep at night is in a secure room, such as a laundry room. You can also allow your kitten to sleep in your bedroom, but you must ensure the area is safe. Cover any exposed wires or potentially dangerous hiding spaces, and make sure you provide plenty of blankets, food, water, and a litter tray.
Ultimately, only you will know what is best for you and your kitten.
And it is something that may change in time, too. But it can also become a problem too as we will soon find out in a further section.
Besides, a lot has to do with the individual context; how long you have had your kitten and their general personality, and preferences.
In fact, you may even find that you and your kitten have different ideas; and it may require a little bit of perseverance or acceptance.
Nevertheless, let us continue to explore how you should approach sleep with your cute new feline, with some tips and best practices to ensure you both get a good night’s rest!
Kittens can be left alone at night, but you need to be aware that young kittens can often get themselves stuck in the most unusual places! For this reason, it is best to restrict your kittens’ access to just one room in the beginning. This will also help you to litter-train your kitten, which can be done at around 4-6 weeks of age.
When you first get your kitten, you can either allow him to sleep in your bedroom (more on this below), or you can set up a small room in the house for him overnight.
A laundry room or something similar is ideal. Make sure you kitten-proof the room before allowing him access.
Check for things like exposed wires, small hiding spots, and any sharp objects. Once this is done, make the room comfy by adding a cat bed, food, and water bowls, as well as a few toys.
A scratching post will be appreciated too!
For the first few nights, it is recommended that you also add a blanket with the mothers’ scent, as this will help your kitten to feel safe in a new environment.
Make sure you spend a few minutes interacting with your kitten before you leave him for the night, and expect a bit of complaining until he has settled.
Before this point, your kitten will have been constantly surrounded by his littermates and mother.
So, understandably, he may be feeling a little uncomfortable!
Saying that it is important to establish a routine from the outset, to prevent behavioral problems from developing later in life.
Of course, you can’t keep your kitten cooped up in one room overnight for its whole life!
So once your kitten seems more confident and properly litter trained, you can begin allowing access to other areas of the house (one room at a time).
There is no particular time or age that you should allow your kitten to roam.
The choice is up to you and when you think your kitten is ready.
There is nothing wrong with allowing your kitten to sleep in your bedroom overnight. In fact, many experts state that you should keep your kitten close to you for the first few nights to help him feel secure. It can also reinforce the cat-human bond.
However, there are some issues with this approach that need to be considered before you make the final decision.
Let’s runs through them now:
Just like adult cats, kittens shed their fur intermittently throughout the year (especially in the Spring and Autumn months).
If you are sensitive to dander, then it is probably best to keep your kitten out of your bedroom!
In addition, kittens can sometimes carry parasites, such as fleas and ticks, which can be passed on to their human parents.
These ectoparasites are known to carry numerous diseases that can pose health risks for humans, including typhus and cat scratch fever.
Your young kitten will love the chance to curl up with you overnight.
However, you do have to be careful, as you could roll over and accidentally injure your kitten.
Depending on its age, a kitten may also struggle to jump down from the bed to use the litter tray.
Cats are mostly active at night.
So, be prepared to be woken up at 3 am by an over-excited kitten wanting to play!
Once a kitten has been granted access to your bedroom, it can be difficult to evict him!
So, you must be willing to allow your cat to sleep in your room for years to come!
For the first few nights, at least, it is a good idea to confine your kitten to one particular area of the home. This will prevent accidents and help your kitten feel safe. If you choose to confine your kitten to a separate room overnight, make sure the area is comfortable and inviting.
You can also use a piece of your clothing as a blanket to keep your kitten calm.
It is important to note that you need to help your kitten build up a positive association with his new sleeping quarters before being confined in them.
You can do this by sitting in the room with your kitten for a while as he explores.
Also, ensure you offer plenty of treats and fuss whenever he is in the room or if he approaches it on his own.
You want your kitten to see the room as a safe place, not somewhere he feels trapped.
Confinement in one small area will also prevent your kitten from getting into mischief and potentially hurting himself when you are not around.
Over time, you can then start introducing your kitten to other parts of the home until he has free reign of the whole house.
During this process, you will need to ensure your home is kitten-proof. Here are a few tips:
Kittens are natural explorers and love to climb, so everything in your house is fair game!
They’ll even take on the stairs, for the most part, and become quite confident with a little practice.
Cats also love to take advantage of high positions in the house as this helps them to feel safe and also allows an excellent view of the whole room!
Young kittens are only just finding their feet, so in the beginning, it is best to cordon off particularly high areas to prevent injury.
Make sure all the windows and doors in your home are closed securely, so there is no risk of your little kitten escaping outside.
It is also a good idea to add safety locks to your cabinets to stop your kitten from opening them and helping himself to anything that’s inside!
Pay particular attention to cupboards that contain cleaning chemicals, as these can be fatal if ingested.
Remember that kittens are very skilled at squeezing into the tightest spaces, but they are not as good at finding their way out again!
Look over your home for any possible hiding spaces and prevent access to any risky ones.
This will also make it easier for you to find your kitten in the morning!
Aside from the risk of your kitten knocking over the plant pots, many plants are also dangerous for kittens.
These include lilies, daffodils, and tulips.
This includes all wires and other dangly items such as blind cords.
This will help you to find your kitten more easily if he happens to get lost or stuck!
When fitting a collar, make sure that it cannot easily slip off but also ensure it is not too tight.
You should be able to snugly slide two fingers between the collar and your cat’s neck.
Introduce your kitten to other family members and pets gradually.
This should be done before you allow your kitten to roam freely through the house.
You should never leave pets unsupervised in the same room until you are certain they are fully comfortable with each other.
The key to getting your kitten to sleep at night is lots of training and patience. This will help build their confidence in their environment and enable them to feel safe enough to sleep.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should never prevent your kitten from sleeping during the day.
Kittens need to sleep for at least 20 hours in a 24-hour period, which is often broken up into mini naps.
These are essential for your kittens’ well-being.
Nevertheless, the below tips should help promote sleep in your kitten:
Instead, focus on tiring out your kitten with a play session before bed. Just make sure it isn’t too stimulating, or it may have the opposite effect!
If your kitten is really struggling, you can build up the time he is left alone. Firstly, spend a couple of minutes with your kitten, then close the door and leave him alone for an hour or so.
Then return to the room and reassure your kitten. You can repeat this process for as long as you need – gradually extending the time you are away.
Perhaps the most important part of this process is to ensure your kitten is quiet before you go back into the room.
Otherwise, you will simply be teaching your kitten to call for you!
Calming scents can also work wonders for young kittens.
Many companies such as Feliway have developed anti-anxiety products specifically designed for cats, which can either be sprayed onto your kittens’ bedding or plugged into the wall.
You can get Feliways from Amazon for a great price!
The noise level in your home is another important factor. If your kitten was raised in a busy city apartment, then complete silence will probably be a bit nerve-wracking!
If your kitten grew up in a quiet country home, then the noise is likely to scare him.
Consider how the noise in your home could be affecting your kitten at night time and especially avoid making any sudden loud noises.
Classical music played on a low volume has been proven to calm a variety of companion animals, so it is a good option to try!
The below tips will also help to allow for a longer, more restful sleep for you and your kitten.
Before bedtime, schedule a play session and then feed your kitten.
This will encourage him to take a nap.
You should also ensure your kitten has access to a small amount of food overnight, as kittens have a high metabolism and need to eat little and often.
As soon as your kitten has eaten his dinner, place him into the litter tray.
If you have a particularly young kitten or one that doesn’t seem keen on using the tray, you can gently rub a damp piece of cotton wool over its bottom.
This process replicates the feeling of a mother cat licking its bottom, which stimulates the need for elimination.
Make sure your kittens’ bed is placed away from any drafts, and give him as many blankets as you can spare.
In addition, you should ensure your kitten can easily climb into its litter tray, and that food and water are easily accessible.
Kitten training is a two-way street. For you to get a good night’s sleep, you will need to ensure your kitten feels safe and secure.
The process of teaching your kitten to sleep through the night can be a long one!
But with a bit of commitment and patience, you will soon have a loving, confident kitten that you can lavish with fuss for years to come.
In reality, there are a few different places your kitten can sleep at night.
With the major caveat being that they, and you, are kept entirely safe the whole time.
When it comes to working out what is best, a lot is going to depend on your home setup, your kitten, and also personal preferences.
So do take some time to consider your options.
Besides, what may be best now may not be what is best when they are a more confident older cat.
Give it some thought, and do not fear trying a few different arrangements out.
Time will ultimately tell, but there is no one right way for every owner!
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.
You may want to wait a while before sharing your bed with the new kitten. It takes time for kittens to be litter trained so if you want to keep your sheets in mint condition it’s best to invest in a separate kitten bed. If they are really young, they might even have trouble negotiating their way out of your bed without hurting themselves. Plus, your kitten might even prefer to have their own space to sprawl as they please.
Many owners do allow their cats to sleep in their bed, but it’s important to give your kitten their own space to spend the night.
Don’t be surprised if your kitten doesn’t sleep through the night. Cats are prone to waking up at night as their sleep schedule is different to ours. They sleep for around 20 hours but this isn’t always through the night like us and can be during the day instead.
An exhausted kitten is more likely to sleep through the night. Schedule a play session close to their last nap of the day so they can exhaust all the extra energy before going to bed.
Sometimes even feeding them a late meal can help as kittens will often go to sleep to let digestion do its work. But be mindful of the calorie count before introducing an extra or a larger meal.
Place a cardboard box on its side with a thick fleecy blanket inside so that the kitten has somewhere to hide if it feels a little shy or insecure. Position a padded washable cat bed in a quiet area away from the food, water and litter tray areas. Line with a thermal, washable fleece blanket.
