Kitten sleeping: How much do they sleep and how to support better rest

Written in collaboration with vets

Highlights

Kittens typically sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day, depending on their age and stage of development. Kittens aged 2 weeks – 3 months sleep up to 92% of their day, but this drops off to around 63% as they reach the 6-month mark.
Sleep for kittens is crucial in facilitating muscle and brain development, memory function, and energy conservation, and immune system support.
Kittens sleeping habits should only be cause for concern when combined with loss of appetite or other symptoms of illness.

Kittens have a notorious reputation for dozing all day – when they’re not causing chaos, that is – but their sleeping habits actually serve some very interesting purposes. The better you understand your kitten and their need for sleep, the closer your bond will become.

To support you during this settling-in period, we’ve answered the common questions you may have in this article, such as ‘how long do kittens sleep?’ as well as ‘how can I get my kitten to sleep at night?’ – especially when they are wide-awake and climbing the curtains!

How long do kittens sleep?

As kittens change rapidly with time, so too do their needs. A 2-week-old kitten’s sleeping habits differ wildly from those of a kitten that is 6 months old, for example. The following is how much sleep a kitten should get at each stage of its development:

2 Weeks – 3 Months: Kittens will need 22 hours of sleep, which is 92% of the day. This period will see your kitten sleeping extensively to fuel growth with short blasts of energy in between.
3 Months – 6 Months: Kittens will need 18–20 hours, or 75%-83% of the day. Senses are more fully developed now, and your kitten may exhibit plenty of spirited energy.
6 Months+: Beyond the six-month mark, kittens will need 15–18 hours of sleep, or 63%–75% of the day. The routine is now more like that of an adult cat, with naps throughout the entire 24-hour day.

Why does my kitten sleep so much?

So why do kittens sleep a lot? Kittens require large amounts of sleep in order to sustain their growing bodies. Quality deep sleep serves so many functions in a young kitten, including brain maturation, muscle and bone growth, immune system support, memory development, and energy conservation. It may also be an indication that your kitten feels safe around you, their owner.

Should I let my kitten sleep all day?

When they arrive in your home, younger kittens should be left to sleep for as long as they like. A kitten's sleeping behaviours allow its body to focus its energy on rapid growth. As kittens can sleep for up to 20 hours, this is pretty much ‘all day’ but be prepared for short bursts of frantic energy in between napping! Older kittens over 3 months of age are likely to exhibit boundless energy. Active play during the daytime is a great idea as it stimulates kittens both mentally and physically, so they nap less when we are awake and sleep more at night.

As your kitten becomes a young cat, their needs change. Caring for your cat means recognising the differences between an adult cat and a young kitten, such as the amount of time a cat sleeps for, which is typically far less than that of a kitten. However, there are many perfectly healthy adult cats who still enjoy a good 18 hours of sleep a day!

The role of sleep in a kittens growth

Kittens are known for sleeping for much of the day. This is because it is a vital part of their health and development, and has numerous extremely important roles:

Physical Development: While asleep, kittens’ bodies release growth hormones that facilitate their developing muscles and bones.
Conserving Energy: Kitten sleeping serves to recharge your kittens' batteries after those high-octane bursts of play.
Brain Maturation: Deep sleep is directly linked to the development of a kitten’s brain and central nervous system.
Learning and Memory: In their sleep, kittens are able to process the new sights, smells, and sounds that they experienced while awake.
Immune System Support: Quality sleep is crucial for a strong immune system.

Because it is so important, you should always let your kitten sleep and not wake them up. Providing a safe, draught-free, quiet space for them to sleep is also highly valuable to ensuring their healthy development.

Tips for getting a kitten to sleep at night

Sleep is a vital part of your kitten’s health and wellbeing, and it’s important that you are able to guide them into healthy sleeping habits. This includes what you feed your kitten and when, how you spend your time with them, and what environment you create for them to doze off in.

Give a small night time meal before bed

Just like humans, kittens will feel sleepy after an evening meal. Feeding your kitten wet food half an hour before bedtime may well encourage them to settle down to sleep with a fuller tummy, though make sure you feed your kitten the right amount, to avoid any digestive upset that may offer the opposite effect to a nice sleep.

Use wet food in your regular feeding schedule

Kittens need to eat multiple meals during the day. Feeding them a quality wet kitten food that’s full of protein will not only fuel their growth, but slowly release energy throughout a 24hr period. Conversely, dry food often contains higher carbohydrate content that can quickly release unwanted bursts of energy when fed at bedtime thus affecting how long your kitten will sleep. Learning what to feed kittens and when can contribute to their energy levels, and also their sleep.

Play with your kitten to tire them out

After a busy day of play with all their favourite toys, kittens will naturally fall asleep quicker. Try a focused session of fun activity during the early part of the evening which will also relax you after a stressful day. Avoid playing late at night though as your kitten will be too excited to sleep!

Provide cosy bed where they feel protected

Although cats can sleep all over your house, sometimes in unexpected places, having a dedicated bed for your kitten is a must. How much your kitten sleeps at night is likely to increase with a snuggly bed that has high sides, or even a dome-shaped ‘cave bed’ that makes kittens feel safe from predators. Cats like to sleep away from where they eat, drink and go to the toilet, so make sure they have clear areas for each of these activities. You can use a ‘kitten home’ or crate routine, whereby you make the set area a positive environment for the kittens by feeding them treats in it or offering toys, to give them a positive reaction to entering the space.

Use familiar smells for sense of security

If a kitten is new to your house, bringing a blanket from their previous home, where they lived with their Mum, will help them to feel secure and sleep soundly. Equally, once a kitten has established a bond with you, a piece of your clothing in their bed will be comforting and lengthen how long your kitten sleeps at night.

Try a herbal sleep remedy

If none of the suggestions above are working, there are several herbal remedies that will gently support how much kittens sleep. These should only ever be given after you have discussed your options with a vet and always make sure that you read the label carefully to check suitability for kittens, by age or weight.

Above all, be patient

Just like babies, kittens will take a little time to establish a routine. Some experts recommend bringing your kitten’s bed into your bedroom for the first few nights. Others believe a kitten can be left alone with access to a litter tray, a bowl of kibble and even some toys so they can entertain themselves when they wake up. Whatever you decide, be patient as it’s in a kitten’s nature to be more active at night than us humans.

How much do kittens sleep - FAQ

How much does a 3 month old kitten sleep?

Three-month old kittens typically sleep for 18–20 hours a day spread over frequent naps throughout the day. Kittens do sleep a lot, but this is normal, and is actually essential for their development.

Is it okay to ignore a kitten at night?

Yes, as long as their needs are met. If your kitten has an appropriate place to toilet, water to drink, and has been fed, then ignoring it at night can help to prevent demanding habits.

Is it normal for kittens to sleep all day?

Yes, it is common for kittens to sleep for much of the day. Kittens do sleep a lot, as this supports their rapid growth, developing immune systems, and muscle development.