The answer is – not always. Cats are nocturnal animals, so it's common for them to wake up throughout the night. While it's true that kittens love snoozing and can sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day, it doesn't always happen when their human family members are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk.
By the time they're three months old, they'll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night.
Do kittens sleep through the night? Not always – 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 18-20 hours a day, it doesn't always happen when humans are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk.
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.
Still, there may be times when you must leave your adult cat for overnight or longer. (Kittens younger than four months should not be left alone for more than four hours. Older than that, they can handle another hour or so. When they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.)
Kittens gravitate towards warmth and coziness when they want to sleep. This means the best place for a kitten to sleep is a secure spot away from any drafts and warm enough for her to stay comfortable throughout the night. It's also a good idea to have your kitten close to you for the first few nights.
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. Leaving your cat alone all day is not ideal which is why you might want to consider adopting two pets so they can keep each other company while you are not home.
Your cat meowing at night can essentially be an attention-seeking behaviour. Although it is important to attend to your cat's needs, constantly complying with their asking for attention may lead to them asking for it more frequently, so if this is a frequent occurrence, try not to give in too often.
Just leave them with a soft bed and blanket, turn off the light, and close the door. If you want, you can set an alarm to wake up and check on them halfway through the night. In the morning, visit your kitten in their room. They may have made some messes for you to clean up.
In the first few nights, 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.
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.
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. It is a good idea to have the kitten close to you for the first few nights. Find a cosy place next to your bed and you can even choose a spot up off the floor if possible.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
In general, a happy, healthy, well-adjusted kitty shouldn't need nightly crating. If your kitten or cat is having difficulty making proper use of its litter box, it might be best to keep your cat in a crate at night while you train her to use the litter box. For ease of training, consider an automatic litter box.
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. This is good news as it means with a little time and patience as the cat grows older they are likely to start sleeping more throughout the night.
Letting sleeping cats lie
Most cats will be aware of what is happening, but some might be sleepy and disorientated and react defensively to a perceived threat. Cats need a lot of sleep, so don't wake them up or disturb them when they go off to their favourite nap spot.
Cats are masters at training us. In this case, your cat is likely waking you up early in the morning because they woke you up once before and you either fed them or gave them attention. So they continue to wake you up to keep getting that food or attention.
By sleeping during the day, your cat is primed and energized to hunt at night. On top of this, many domestic cats spend a lot of their time indoors and without much engagement during the day. This creates pent-up energy that they also need to burn out by running around crazy at night when they're finally awake.
The easiest way to do this is to organise some things for her to do, ideally away from the bedroom. Toys, food puzzles, and even a treasure hunt where you place treats around the place in hidden locations, should satisfy her. That's it. The tried and tested formula for getting your cat to stop annoying you at night.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
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.
Kittens younger than six months are developing rapidly both mentally and physically and crave a strong bond with their humans. Being separated from them for long periods leads to loneliness and anxiety, resulting in various health and behavioural problems.
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.