How Long Is My Kitten Supposed To Sleep?
She’s always snoozin’ 😴
You can’t help but notice your kitten is asleep. All. The. Time.
You might understand wanting some beauty rest (even though your kitten already looks perfect), but is there such a thing as too much sleep?
The Dodo spoke to Dr. Julian Rivera, a veterinarian at West Village Veterinary Hospital in New York City, to find out why your kitten is sleeping so darn much.
How long do kittens sleep?
If you’re concerned that your kitten is passed TF out, don’t be!
More often than not, it’s totally normal.
“Depending on their age, kittens can spend between 70 to 90 percent of their time sleeping,” Dr. Rivera told The Dodo. “Cats are prodigious sleepers, and even as adults sleep about 50 percent of the time.”
As a pet parent, you might be frustrated if you just want to spend all your time playing with your tiny new friend.
But just think of all the sweet sleepy snuggles you can have together!
When should my kitten sleep?
Ever taken a nice snooze in the middle of the day? Well, it’s called a “cat nap” for a reason.
“Kittens should be sleeping a majority of the day in order to grow properly,” Dr. Rivera said.
But you’re awake during the day! And that’s when you want to spend time with your kitten and hang out together!
Well, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’re bound to catch your kitten when she’s up and at it in between naps, even if it’s just for a little while.
“It is important to note that cats are naturally crepuscular, [which means] active at dawn and dusk, so their sleep schedule may clash with yours,” Dr. Rivera explained. “This is a normal part of their natural history, and not considered abnormal.”
How to tell if your kitten is just sleepy or if something’s wrong
So basically, if your kitten is sleeping a ton during the day, that’s totally fine (and honestly, what she should be doing).
But if your cat seems lethargic — not just sleepy — that’s when you should give your vet a call.
According to Dr. Rivera, you should hit your vet up if your kitten:
- Is unable to stand
- Isn’t nursing (if your kitten is young enough to still be nursing)
- Isn’t eating
- Has gums that are turning blue or purple
These could possibly indicate medical issues that may need professional attention.
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