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.
Choose a comfy kitten bed with high sides so she can keep her favorite toys close by. Don't forget to add soft blankets for a great night's sleep while making sure her litter tray, water and food bowls are not too far away should your kitten need them during the night.
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.)
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.
Your kitten is still small.
Or he could be hurt if you or your spouse roll over on him accidentally. Wait until he's of a size to make that an unlikely risk. My main rule of thumb is to wait until the kitten is old enough to get up on the bed on his own — typically around his 6-month birthday.
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.
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.
The First Night
The truth is, kittens are full of energy, and they don't always understand the whole “sleep at night” thing. If the kitten room happens to be your bedroom, then you just may end up with a kitten curled against you in the night. But don't feel bad about leaving them in their room to go sleep in yours.
Whining & Crying
It is completely normal for kittens to cry on their first few nights in a new environment. A good idea is to warm up a blanket to mimic the warmth they would get from their mother so that they feel more at home. You can also use a warm blanket for puppies, as well as toys to comfort them.
As tempting as it may be, avoid letting your kitten sleep on your bed or with the kids. As well as being dangerous for your kitten, cats carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. To avoid injury, it's best to keep your kitten in a secure space while you're both sleeping.
Once their eyes have opened, kittens begin to explore their environment more and sleep less. By the time they're three months old, they'll only need to sleep for about 18 hours, spread throughout the day and night. This isn't far from the sleep requirements of adult cats, who average at around 16 hours per day.
Once your cat shows interest in trying to leave the room, or is begging at the door to come out, they're ready to explore the rest of the house! Most cats will adjust within one to two weeks. If you have a multiple-animal household, it may take several months for everyone to fully adjust.
Confine your new kitten for at least 24 hours (up to several weeks for shyer kittens). This will help them adjust to their new surroundings faster, so they can focus on having fun with YOU! Confinement also helps them with litter box refresher training.
Feed your kitten at routine times each day, keep playtime at the same times, and manage their litter box regularly. Kittens feel more secure when they know what to expect. Grooming your kitten with brushing and nail trimming can also help you bond with them.
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.
Kitten separation anxiety happens when your kitten becomes distressed when you leave home. Kittens are quieter about their distress, and they aren't likely to bark, howl or chew like dogs do. Read on to learn more about the signs of kitten separation anxiety and what steps you can take to help your kitten.
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.
Kittens often need more interaction and attention than older cats, so it makes sense that they can't cope with as much alone time. DeVoss recommends most kittens shouldn't be left for longer than eight hours.
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.
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.
During long periods or more than two hours, a playpen may be preferred for your young puppy. Potty accidents during longer periods will be less of an issue in a puppy pen compared to a dog crate. That said, older pups and adult dogs can typically manage up to four hours in a dog crate, assuming they're crate trained.