While Youre Away Whats A Kitten To Do
When you are home its easier to keep an eye on your kitten. But we cant always be home. So what do you do then? If you plan to be away from home for a few hours, you might consider placing your kitten into a kitten-safe room. Remember: When your kitten isnt sleeping, his curiosity can get him into trouble. You will want to provide your kitten with a comfy sleeping area, cat food, water, a few favorite toys and a litter pan in the safe room
We opted to place the kittens in a crate to keep them safe when we were planning to be away from home. We placed two crates together held by plastic ties. One crate housed a litter pan on one side and a folded towel on the other. In the adjoining crate, we placed a couple soft folded blankets and a couple cat toys on one side to create a warm and cozy nest. On the other side, we placed their food and water make sure this is further away from the car litter so that litter training your kitten is not interrupted.This setup worked well for us, and we were able to go out knowing the kittens were safe.
Bedtime On A Full Tummy
Giving your kitten a meal before you go to bed may help, but make sure this is from their daily allowance – dont be tempted to give them a little extra just to make them sleep – this will soon lead to an overweight kitty!
Cats will naturally doze after a meal, so a high protein meal before they retire for the night could help them to sleep longer.
Litter Accidents Around The House
One of the top risks of letting your kitten roam around the house at night on its own is having litter accidents all over your place. This is why it is crucial to have your fuzzy little bundle of love litter trained before allowing it to roam alone.
Typically, kittens are litter trained by the time they are 4 to 6 weeks of age. So, it really might take some time before your kitten gets the hang of using its litter box and eventually roam around your home alone.
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Should I Let My Kitten Sleep In My Room At Night
Theres nothing wrong with letting your kitten sleep in your room at night. Whatever your sleeping preference is, just make sure to avoid switching up your kittens sleeping arrangements because they are too sensitive to change.
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Does Your Cat Tend To Make A Fuss
Is your kitty a talker? Does he meow, scratch, or spray if he doesnt get his way? A lot of times we let our pets dictate our lives, but we need to stand firm and decide whats best for us, too. You might determine that you need to close your pet off from the bedroom if hes making too much noise. Or, you might argue that its easier to keep him happy and allow full bedroom privileges.
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Battling The Stubborn Kitten
Working toward that kitten sleep schedule does take time. Meanwhile, youre losing sleep while your furry darling chews on your toes every night. You may have to face the reality of closing a door while your feline adapts to the new plan. This is where you test your willpower. The temptation to open the door at the first sad meow is often overwhelming.
Playtime And Handling The Rest Of The Day
Of course, its tempting to hold and cuddle your new kitten all day long! However, its best to let them get to know you gradually. After all, youre a giant new creature in their life, and theyve never been in your house before.
At first, simply spend time near your kitten. When their body language shows that theyre comfortable and curious, then you can pick them up. Alternate handling with playtime, and take breaks to let them explore on their own.
If you have young kids in the family, teach them to be calm around the kitten, and only pet or hold them while seated. Kids over age four can hold kittens while seated. Younger kids should be taught to pet them gently. Again, let your kitten make the first move, and watch for signs of stress.
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Change The Feeding Schedule
Cats often fall asleep after eating. Changing the amount of food and feeding your cat more often during the day can keep your kitten active while youre busy. Changing the type of food and moving evening meals to later at night might help your kitten become sleepy before bed. But be mindful of calorie count before introducing an extra or larger meal as you dont want your kitten being kept awake from eating too much food.
Is It Normal For A Kitten To Sleep All Day
Cats sleep to various degrees but Id argue that the amount a cat sleeps is the same as or less than most people would expect.
If your cat sleeps all day, maybe its time to see a vet.
Its all in how we define sleep and what we consider normal for a cat to sleep. In the wild, cats, and dogs have to rest after a long, hard day hunting for food.
Cats have instincts that allow them to sleep very deeply and if they sleep all day they will stay awake during the night.
A healthy sleeping habit is one that has the cat resting through the entire day and not drifting off during the night.
It is normal for a kitten to sleep just as much as a feline who is not nearly as young.
Of course a cat will require more sleep than a dog for the same reasons.
Lying around all day will slow a cats heart rate down and make it dehydrated, which can cause many health problems.
If you think your cat is sleeping too much, I suggest you take it to the vet and have it checked. Also, consider making changes to the way you live that may be causing a sleep deprivation.
Cats dont need to be kept in an enclosed room all day. They are active creatures who dont need more activities to keep them busy. Good indoor lighting and water dishes are good things to have in the house to help keep your kitty healthy.
If your cat is so tired he doesnt even know where the day ends and night begins, Id suggest taking it to the vet and seeing what they have to say.
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Where To Put A Kitten Bed
When bringing your kitten home, you should confine them to one room to begin with to help them gradually become accustomed to their surroundings. This helps make the transition from their old home to their new home that bit easier. As your kitten gets more comfortable, you can gradually introduce them to more of the house.
The single room should contain their water and food bowls, litter tray, and toys, but it should also be where they sleep at night. The room that you choose to keep your kitten in needs to be kitten-proof.
To do this, make sure that you:
- Check the room for any trailing wires or dangerous items
- Remove any poisonous plants
- Take breakable objects off of shelves and other surfaces
- Keep the windows securely closed
- Try not to use a room with floor-length curtains
If you want to make your kitten feel as comfortable as possible, it is a good idea that you choose your bedroom as their area of confinement, as long as it is large enough. Having you close, especially on their first night, can help ease them in gently. Remember, having been with their mother since birth theyve never had a night alone before!
Finding the perfect spot in this room is also crucial. Their bed needs to be away from any drafts, so avoid putting it by any doors or windows. Having it tucked next to your bed is a great idea, or if using another room then placing the bed in the corner can help them feel safer.
How To Train Your Kitten To Sleep At Night
Your kittens instinct is to be active at night and sleep during the day. So what can you do when your kitty thinks its playtime when all you want to do is sleep?
Here is how to train your kitten to be calm and sleep at night.
1. Keep your kitten occupied
Give your kitten enough interactive toys to play with during the day so that it can use up all its energy and tire itself out.
Puzzle games where your little one has to open a box to find a treat, are a good idea to keep your kitten busy.
You can also attach a toy mouse to the end of a string and let your kitten chase after it. Kitties like to explore, so take advantage of its curious nature.
2. Stick to a routine
Feed your kitten at the same time each day, and schedule playtime at about the same time before bedtime. If you include your kitten in your routine, it will help it adapt to your schedule and know what to expect.
3. Feed it before bedtime
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to ensure your kitten sleeps is to feed it well just before bedtime.
Your kitten will naturally doze off after eating, especially if you feed it a high-protein meal.
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Establish A Bathroom Schedule
Before your kitten starts to doze, encourage it to use the litter tray. Elimination before bed is crucial if the kitten does not yet do so of its own accord. If you need to carry and place the kitten in the litter box, youd rather not do so at 3 AM.
If your kitten seems reluctant to use the litter box, rub an unscented wet wipe on its anus and bladder. This sensation mimics the sensation of being licked by a mother, who would have previously encouraged the kitten to eliminate.
Does Your Cat Like To Sleep In Elevated Places Heres Why
You might have said to someone, Youd be amazed at where my cat sleeps. If theyre a fellow cat owner, they would probably have some funny stories of their own. Cats love to sleep up high and it all goes back to nature.
Feral cats are predators. Unfortunately, theyre also prey. Cats in the wild hunt smaller animals, such as rodents and birds. But theyre susceptible to attacks by bigger predators, such as hawks and coyotes. Sleeping in high places is the best solution. It helps them spot prey and stay protected from ground-dwelling predators. The leaves of trees also act as a sort of camouflage, helping reduce the chances of being attacked by a predatory bird.1
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Give Your Kitten A Collar With A Bell
Collars with tiny bells attached to it come in really handy especially for frisky kittens. Being the energetic and inquisitive creatures that they are, kittens can easily get trapped in tight spaces around the house.
This type of collar can help you keep tabs on your kitten and track its whereabouts at homethink of it as an old school GPS. Apart from being functional, belled collars also look so adorable on kittens.
Are You Ready To Bring Your Kitten Home
Its important to be fully prepared before bringing your kitten home. Make sure youve kitten-proofed your home and set up a room with everything they’ll need, including a bed, food and water bowls, a litter box, and toys.Youll need a cat carrier to carry your kitten in too, and some of the food their previous caretaker been feeding them. Its also a good idea to find a vet you trust and make an appointment for a check-up a few days after bringing them home.
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What To Feed Your Kitten
Your kitten has specific nutritional requirements that differ from adult cats. They should be fed a complete and balanced diet that caters to their specific life stage requirements. We recommend premium brand kitten biscuits, made from high quality ingredients, that will provide all the nourishment your kitten needs without the need for any supplementation.
Kittens can regulate their food intake well and so meals can be offered often but it is alright to leave a few biscuits out at all times for your kitten to eat. Two or three main meals spread throughout the day are best with kitten biscuits available at any time. Be sure to always have water freely available.
Any changes to the diet should be made gradually, transitioning to the new food slowly over a period of days. Sudden diet changes are a common cause of diarrhoea in kittens.
Why Are Kittens More Active At Night
Your kitten sleeps for most of the day, but then when youre settling in at night, it seems like thats when theyre up making noise, eating, and playing. You may have heard that cats are nocturnal, but this is not entirely true. Cats are actually crepuscular, which means they are most active twice a day- at dawn and dusk.
Kittens are most active in the evenings and early morning because thats how they adapted in the wild. Dawn and dusk are the best time for hunting. It makes sense that this is when your cat is most likely to be up eating and playing, especially after sleeping most of the day away.
If your kittens activity at night is interrupting your sleep, dont worry. Its important to remember that since kittens are still developing, you can change their behaviors by helping them adapt to living in your home.
Playing with your kitten more during the day when he is awake can help tire him out at night. This is especially true if you play with your cat right before bedtime. Getting him worn out can help him sleep throughout the night, which can also prevent him from waking you up as well.
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Why Is My Kitten Suddenly Sleeping More Than Usual
Oversleeping in kittens is not considered a warning sign. However, you should be alarmed if she is constantly oversleeping and she is sluggish when she is awake as this may be signs of anemia. This health condition is dangerous for kittens and may mean that they do not have enough red blood cells. One of the visible signs of anemia among kittens is pale gums and if this is the case, bring her to the vet for proper treatment.
Do Kittens Sleep Through The Night
Not always its common for kittens to wake up throughout the night. While its true that kittens love snoozing and they can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, it doesnt always happen when humans are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk. Add to this the unfamiliar environment a kitten must adjust to in the first few nights and youre in for a few longer nights than usual.
However, sleep is essential for your kittens development which why its important to let them have this peaceful time off during kittenhood to make sure they grow up healthy and happy.
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Before Bringing Your Kitten Home
If you are planning to bring a new kitten into your home, then you should take some time to prepare for the kittens arrival. Purchase the items that your kitten will need and place them in your home for other people and pets to start adjusting to. Pheromones can be diffused prior to the arrival of the new kitten to help both your older cats and the new one feel calm and relaxed. Even if you already have a cat, make sure the new kitten will have its own bed, food and water dishes, and a couple of toys. Set up a bathroom or other small room with these items for your kitten to stay in for the first few nights in its new home.
You should have at least one more litter box than you have cats and there should be no direct line of sight from litter box to litter box. Extra litter and, of course, kitten food will also be needed to help your kitten feel at home.
Interactive Playtime And Hunting Games Should Be Part Of Your Daily Routine Particularly Before Bedtime
Appropriate play should mimic predatory behaviour sequencing and involve:
- Staring
- Prey manipulation
- Killing bite
Cat toys such as DaBird or Cat Catcher are most tactual and exhilarating. Set up a weekly enrichment schedule that contains novelty items and experiences to help your cat be calmer and avoid midnight zoomies or spurts of energy at inappropriate times.
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Should I Put My Kitten In A Crate
If you , the decision is irreversible. From that night forth, your bed is your kittens sleeping quarters too. With this in mind, its inadvisable to let a kitten onto your bed.
Kittens may jump on you while you sleep, attacking your feet or even your face with their teeth and claws. The kitten is just trying to get your attention. One solution to this is to keep your kitten in a crate or cage.
Your kitten is close enough to pick up your scent and take comfort from this, but it cannot physically interact with you. Whats more, if your kitten is not yet toilet trained, you can keep a litter tray in the cage.
Crating a kitten at night is not a failsafe, though. If your kitten doesnt stop meowing, for example, the noise will still disturb your sleep. Some kittens will also protest being restrained when they are used to roaming free.
If you do decide to use a crate, get one designed for a large dog. Do not force your kitten into a carrier that you would use to transport it to the vet. Also, make the crate comfortable, packing it with blankets and cushions.