Sleeping Arrangements for a Kitten’s First Night Home

A kitten’s first night in a new home, on their own away from the mum and siblings, is likely one of the biggest challenges they have ever faced in their short life.

Here are a few things to know about managing your kitten’s first night, and what you can do to help your new kitten – and you - sleep peacefully.

Welcoming a new kitten home can be an exciting but potentially stressful time for both the owners and the cat involved. While we’re fretting over which cupboard is best for keeping the cat food and which local veterinary practice to choose, the kitten has a whole set of different concerns to deal with. Everything in their life has suddenly changed. There are new people to meet and new sights and smells everywhere – nothing is familiar. Their new home looks nothing like the one they lived in until not so long ago, there’s no sight of their mum and littermates and they are alone for the first time in their life. In short, everything is different and scary.

Then night time arrives and all too often they are left to sleep alone in this new, strange house. Now that is scary!

Where should my kitten sleep on the first night?

This is not the time to leave a kitten on their own. They have always had their mum and siblings for company and so they need to be close to you – both for security and to start to build a bond with you. In the first few weeks, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer. Make sure they have something soft that they can burrow into – but not something their claws can get tangled in.

Where should kittens sleep at night?

The ideal kitten bed will make them feel snug and secure – and above all, safe. This will allow them to fully relax and get all the sleep they need, while also helping settle them into their new home. 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. Small donut cat beds or a sleep bag can be ideal – but spend time discoving your kitten’s personal preference.

Should I let the kitten sleep in my bed?

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.

Of course as your cat gets older, they may well decide themselves where they want to sleep!

Can I leave my kitten alone while I sleep?

You can – but it isn’t really fair on this tiny baby to be left all alone in a strange place. If you really don’t want your kitten in your room, give them a soft, warm and secure place to rest and consider using pheromone plug-ins to try and help them feel more secure. Choose a safe place with no hazards so they can’t hurt themselves whilst you sleep and find a way to enclose them such as a cat sleep/play pen.

• Choose a kitten bed that is comfy and has high enough sides they can snuggle into but not so high that they will struggle to get in and out. Don’t forget to add soft blankets (kitten claw-proof) for a great night’s sleep.
• Make sure the litter tray, water and food bowls are not too far away should your kitten need them during the night. Do make sure the litter tray and the food/water aren’t next to each other, however!
• A scratching post nearby will win you extra points with the new feline friend. Your kitten will be able to stretch and scratch to their heart’s content as soon as they’re ready to start the new day. What bliss!
• Remove electrical cords. Some cats love to bite on things they’re not supposed to, especially as kittens. To keep them safe, it’s best to remove electricals.
• Put away breakable items. Kittens love to knock things (purposefully or not!) so it’s best to put these things away to avoid them getting hurt.
• Your plants will need to be removed as kittens can climb! To keep them safe, move your plants in the first nights until they’re trained to not climb.
• Close the door and make sure the windows are latched properly for their safety.

Should I leave the light on or off when my kitten is sleeping?

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.

How long do kittens sleep?

Are you expecting your kitten to sleep all night long? That’s not the case. It’s common for kittens to wake up throughout the night. While it’s true that kittens love snoozing and they can sleep up to 22 hours a day, it doesn’t always happen when humans are asleep, and it happens in fits and starts.

Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk – and this includes babies. Add to this the unfamiliar environment a new kitten has to adjust to in the first few nights and you’re in for a few longer nights than usual.

However, sleep is essential for your kitten’s development which why it’s important to let them have this peaceful time off during kittenhood – and plenty of comfortable places to snooze - to make sure they grow up healthy and happy.

Do kittens sleep through the night?

It's perfectly normal for new kittens to have a bit of trouble adjusting to a human sleep schedule. Unlike us, cats are most active at dawn and dusk. Their natural instincts tell them to hunt and explore during these low-light hours, so don't be surprised if your little one seems particularly energetic in the early morning or evening.

While cats are known for their impressive sleep abilities, clocking in around 22 hours in a 24-hour period, those naps can be spread out throughout the day and night, rather than consolidated into one long stretch like our human sleep patterns. So, if your kitten is waking you up for playtime in the wee hours, don't worry. With patience and consistency, they'll gradually adjust to your routine. Providing a comfortable and secure sleeping environment, establishing a regular feeding schedule, and engaging them in plenty of playtime during the day can help them settle into a more predictable sleep pattern.

How to get a kitten to sleep at night - 3 ways to try

1. Play and exercise

A tired kitten is more likely to sleep through the night that one that is still full of energy. Schedule a play session close to their last nap of the day so they can exhaust all the extra energy before going to bed.

2. Change meal times

Sometimes even feeding them their last meal a little later can help as kittens will often go to sleep to let digestion do its work. 

3. Introduce familiar objects

Having something that smells familiar can be a huge step towards getting a kitten to sleep at night. If you get your kitten from a breeder or they have been home reared, bring something home with them that smells of their old home and their mum and siblings. Shelters are often happy to let you have their favourite blanket when you adopt a kitten so they can keep a piece of their old home close as they’re getting adjusted to the new life.

With time and patience - and learning about you own kitten’s preferences - soon enough your new ball of fur will be calmingly dozing off by themselves. Now that you know more about kitten sleep , discover more about the cat’s sleeping habits and if the new kitten is treating you to copious amounts of meows in the middle of the night, here are some reasons why cats meow and how to address this behaviour.