How Long Will Kittens Sleep? Cat and Kitten Sleep Habits Explained

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How long will kittens sleep? That depends on their age; the younger the kitten, the more sleep it needs. Newborn kittens sleep most of the time, while older kittens need less sleep but should still nap regularly.

Kittens are known for their boundless energy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need plenty of rest. How much sleep kittens require will depend on the age and life stage of the kitten; newborns sleep a lot more than six-week-old kittens, for example.

This article will answer the question, ‘how long will kittens sleep?’ We’ll consider this question based on different life stages, from a tiny newborn to a mature cat.

How long will kittens sleep?

It’s well known that cats sleep a lot and will take cat naps throughout the day. Cats that have access to the outdoors and spend the night out may be somewhat nocturnal, while indoor cats may adapt their sleeping patterns to fit in with their owner’s sleep habits.

The amount of time cats and kittens spend asleep will depend on the age and health of the animal. Here’s how long you should expect a kitten to sleep based on your pet’s age:

Newborn

In the first week of life, newborn kittens will spend all their time snuggling up with their mom, sleeping, and feeding. Kittens are born with their eyes closed and will sleep for about 22 hours a day in the first weeks of life.

Young kittens need plenty of sleep as it’s essential for the development of a healthy immune system and growth of brain cells, bones, and muscles. When a kitten is between nine days and two weeks old his eyes will open, and the amount of sleep he will need will reduce slightly. Kittens will become more active and start to crawl around. At this stage, the kittens will still sleep about 21 to 22 hours daily.

4-week old kittens

Kittens between 4 and 5 weeks old need around 20 hours of sleep per day. This amount gradually decreases as they grow older.

8 to 12 weeks

At eight weeks old, kittens can leave their mom and go to their new home. Kittens of this age are generally energetic, playful, and perhaps slightly hyper, but they should also be getting enough rest.

Between the ages of eight and twelve weeks, kittens sleep for between 18 and 20 hours a day. Providing a comfortable and safe environment can encourage regular sleep patterns in kittens. A predictable daily routine will also help create a healthy setting for plenty of restful sleep.

4 to 6 months

As kittens grow and develop, they spend less time sleeping and more time exploring their surroundings. Kittens between four and six months old will sleep for between 16 and 20 hours a day.

To help encourage healthy sleeping habits for kittens, ensure their environment is quiet and free from distractions so they can get the rest they need. Also, provide plenty of comfortable spots for your kitten to curl up and rest.

6 to 10 months

At this stage of their development, Kittens will gradually decrease the amount of time they sleep and usually sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day.

Don’t be surprised if you find that your kitten is more active during the night than during the day – cats are nocturnal creatures and this behavior is completely normal.

One year

Once a kitten is one year old, he will have decreased the time he sleeps to that of an adult cat. One-year-old kittens generally sleep around 15 or 16 hours a day. However, some young cats will still sleep more than this, and up to 20 hours is considered normal.

Adult cats

Although cats may nap during the day, they are nocturnal animals and tend to be most active at night. The average adult cat will sleep for about 15 hours a day in short bursts known as cat naps.

Elderly cats will sleep for a lot longer than younger adults. You may find that when your cat reaches eight years of age, the amount of sleep he needs will increase slowly each year. Older cats sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day.

How Long Will Kittens Sleep?: Conclusion

By providing a safe and comfortable environment for kittens, along with plenty of enrichment activities during the day, you can help ensure that your kitten gets all the rest and relaxation he needs. With a proper sleep schedule in place, your kitten will quickly establish healthy sleeping habits for life!

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