4 Amazing Tips to Make New kittens Sleep at Night [Step-by-Step Guide]

Cats don't have any jobs other than eating, drinking, and playing throughout the day. But you have other businesses in addition to taking care of your pets. Do your munchkin kitty doze day round and leap in your bed while you are asleep in the middle of the night? At first, it might seem a cute thing. But, with time, it can be nerve-wracking since you might suffer lack of sleep. Besides, a new kitten takes time to follow a night routine in their new house.

So, all cat owners, here's good news for you. If your new kitten is having trouble settling a night routine with you, don't worry. In this post, you'll find 4 excellent tips and effective guide to encourage your kitty to sleep at night. Just jump in to know the details.  

Do Kittens Sleep at Night?

Typically, kittens don't sleep all night. Instead, they keep dozing on and off throughout the night. Young cats usually sleep for 18 to 20 hours per day. However, cats are crepuscular creatures, which means they are more active at dawn and dusk. In addition, they have a natural instinct to hunt and travel during these times.

Though your cat may be more energetic at night naturally, sometimes, this nocturnal activity abnormally increases. For example, if your ball of fur is needy, uncomfortable, and vocal at night, it might be suffering from health issues. Therefore, contact your vet to rule out any medical problem that helps your kitten to settle.

4 Tips to Calm a Cat down at Night

For calming down a cat at night, you'll need to start training from the daytime. Here are tips that will help to reduce the night activity of your kitty.

• Provide mental stimulation during the day: young cats are tiny balls of energy. Though they spend most of the day sleeping when they are awake, they are energetic. Therefore, you should utilize this time to play with your munchkin. You can mentally stimulate them by providing scratching posts, climbing things, interactive toys, puzzles, and treats. But make sure not to dump all toys at once on the fluffy animal since your cat will lose interest.
• Set a play session just before bedtime: Play with your kitty near bedtime. So, it can exhaust all of its energy and get tired.
• Adjust feeding time: Normally, kittens sleep after feeding. So, adjust the timing of the last meal just before you are ready to sleep. Plus, ensure to provide a protein-rich diet.
• Train Yourself: If none of these remedies work and your feline has made a habit of waking you up at night, close your room door. Also, don't encourage and reward the hyperactive well-fed, and well-played kitty. In doing so, cats will gradually stop disapproving and unrewarded behavior.

Causes of A Hyperactive Cat at Night

Sleep is essential for the happy and healthy development of your feline. Any disturbances during nap time can affect their growth. In addition to nocturnal behavior, there may be other possible causes for a cat's night activity. Look at these:

• If your kitten is alone during the day while you are at work, it may have no chores other than sleeping and relaxing. A relaxed cat during the day will be more active at night.
• Being social animals, cats need interaction and attention. So, if they feel ignored, they'll wake you up to seek attention.
• Often, kittens wake up at night if they are hungry.
• If your cat's living area is too hot or cold, it will keep waking until sunrise.
• The nighttime activity of cats keeps on increasing as they grow up. However, specific health problems also cause hyperactivity at night.

How to Train a New Kitten to Sleep at Night [6 STEPS]

Making a new kitten sleep at night can be challenging since it will take time to adjust to new surroundings. Try these steps to train a new kitty.

1. Purchase a kitten pen (preferably collapsible) and place it in a separate quiet room. The area should have enough space for a food and water bowl, toys, bed, and litter box. The main aim of the crate is to confine your kitten to a safe area when you are not around. Use the same litter material that your new pet used in the old house.
2. Don't forget to bring the familiar bedding and home of your kitten. It will help your cat to sleep in the new place.
3. Prepare your kids to leave alone the new cat for a few days until it settles down. Then, gradually start making physical contact by handling it for short periods.
4. Never wake or interrupt the nap of a kitty for playtime. Once it settles in the new environment, adjust its sleeping, playing, and eating habits according to your lifestyle.
5. Provide enough playtime to keep your cat active during the day. For example, use feeding toys with treats or laser guns to offer physical and mental stimulation. A tired kitty is more likely to sleep at night.
6. Make sure that the little tummy is full before bedtime. 

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Conclusion

Night activity is natural for felines. In the wild, they used to hunt and travel at night. So, your pet cat has evolved this behavior from ancestors. But avoid punishing and nighttime rewards to your pet. Try to ignore your cat's attitude as much as possible. Soon, it will learn how to follow a sleep schedule.