Why Do Kittens Sleep A Lot  – 10 Reasons!

Anytime you want to play with your kitten, you might notice them fast asleep. No, there’s nothing wrong with your kitten, and sleeping for long periods is actually quite normal. But that still leaves most wondering; why do kittens sleep a lot?

Kittens sleep a lot because they are developing and need essential rest. Depending on their age, kittens may need up to 22 hours of sleep, and most sleep at least 16 hours a day. 

Here’s what you need to know about why kittens sleep and when you should be concerned about their sleeping. 

Reasons Why Kittens Sleep A Lot

There are many reasons that kittens need to sleep, but here are 10 of the most common and important reasons. 

Kittens Naturally Sleep Most of The Day

Kittens, like adult cats, need to spend most of the day asleep. When they are first born, kittens spend most of the day sleeping, eating, and being groomed by their mother. These essential tasks take up all 24 hours, and 22 of them are spent asleep! 

As kittens get older, they may stay up a little longer, gradually increasing their awake time until closer to adult cats. But kittens are prone to small cat naps and shorter and longer sleep cycles than adult cats, making their sleep a little more unpredictable. 

Young cats are also prone to falling asleep in strange locations, so don’t be too worried if you find them curled up somewhere unexpected. 

Your Kitten Is Growing

Kittens may spend more of their day sleeping when they are going through rapid growth periods. That’s part of why young kittens spend so much time sleeping, and they may start sleeping more again when they are about to grow. 

After kittens are adoptable age, about eight weeks old, their growth has slowed down, but they still have a lot of growth to go. That means your cat may still spend a few extra hours sleeping now and then to help save energy to grow. 

Your Kitten May Be A Teenager

Much like teenage humans sleep more than adults, teenage cats can too! Even though fixed kittens don’t precisely have puberty the way human teenagers do, their bodies are still making significant growth and changes when they are teenagers. 

That’s why teenage cats keep going through different proportional stages, from being overly leggy or having an extra long tail or really big ears. 

If you notice your cat is both eating and sleeping more than usual, the odds are pretty good that they’re either growing or getting ready to grow. 

They Are Bored 

Kittens need a lot of stimulation. Most kittens are little balls of curious energy, but a bored kitten might decide that they’re better off sleeping instead of exploring or playing. If it seems like your kitten doesn’t have much interest in their surroundings or like they are always asleep, it’s a good idea to get them a few more toys to explore. 

Boredom won’t necessarily hurt kittens, but it can make them less curious and active in the long term, which might make it harder to keep their weight down and to keep them healthy as adults. 

Your Kitten Needs More Nutrients In Their Food

Kittens may also sleep too much if they aren’t getting everything they need from their food. Sleeping is a good way for their bodies to conserve energy and resources to grow a little more like normal despite nutrient deficiencies. 

Sometimes kittens suffer from too few calories or nutrients if their owners transition them from their kitten food to adult food too soon. There can also be issues if your kitten has unknown food sensitivities or allergies or if you choose flavors that your kitten doesn’t enjoy.

One way to help your kitten is to give them a varied diet and pay attention to what they eat and how much they eat. If your kitten is sleeping too much and too skinny, that may be a sign that you need a new kind of food or that it’s time to consult with your vet. 

They May Be Stressed Or Scared

It might seem odd to fall asleep because you’re scared, but that’s exactly what some kittens will do. Many cats sleep when they are stressed or scared as a way of getting away from the source of the stress. 

The good news is that most kittens won’t stress sleep unless they feel at least a little secure that they won’t be hurt, but scared kittens may hide and sleep more than confident, happy kittens. 

This is one reason kittens sometimes sleep more for a few days after being adopted or moving to a new home. However, if the signs of stress don’t go away after a day or two, it might be time to isolate your kitten to help them relax. If that doesn’t work, you should contact your vet for more advice or check and make sure nothing else is wrong. 

The Weather May Make Them Sleepy

Kittens can also be reasonably sensitive to the weather. Such weather, intense cold or snow, can make kittens more lethargic, even indoors. This is because their instincts are telling them to conserve energy and rest somewhere comfortable and warm. 

Your Kitten May Have Gotten Something Toxic

Unfortunately, all of the curiosity of kittens can sometimes get them into trouble. Extreme sleepiness or lethargy without another explanation may be a sign that kittens got into something toxic. Check any known toxins in your home, and try to remember if you’ve cooked with onions, garlic, or anything else they could have gotten into. 

If your kitten doesn’t improve quickly and you suspect a toxin, it’s best to call your vet or take them in for an emergency appointment. 

They Might Be Sick

While kittens are usually pretty healthy, they can still catch viruses or get an infection. If your cat seems lethargic, especially if they aren’t eating or playing when they are awake, it’s best to get them checked out at a vet. 

You can also call your vet for a consultation, and they may be able to help you tell if your kitten is sick or just a little more tired than usual. 

Your Kitten Is Digesting A Big Meal

One reason kittens may sleep more than usual is if they’re working on digesting a big meal. This kind of sleepiness is most common in younger kittens or just after increasing how much food your kitten gets in a day. 

Many vets recommend letting kittens free-feed and eat as much as they want to help them grow and develop healthily. But big meals can make them a little lethargic from time to time. 

The good news is that your kitten should go right back to normal when they wake up after digesting a big meal. 

Should I Worry If My Kitten Sleeps A Lot

Most of the time, a sleepy kitten isn’t a big deal. Kittens are prone to falling asleep in all kinds of strange places and positions and will spend most of their day asleep. You shouldn’t worry too much about sleeping in kittens unless there are other signs of something wrong. 

A kitten that’s too skinny doesn’t play or seems otherwise unhealthy is much more problematic than a kitten that spends a lot of time resting. 

Is It Normal For A Kitten To Sleep All Day

Normally kittens will adjust their schedules to be awake at least part of the time their owners are around, but it can take a little while to make that adjustment. 

A kitten sleeping all day once or twice is nothing to worry about. But if your kitten doesn’t seem to do anything but sleep, including eat, using the bathroom, and play, that can be a serious sign that something is wrong. 

Pay attention to your kitten for signs that they aren’t doing very well other than sleeping, and try to track their food intake and playtime. Eating and playing are two good indicators of normal development in most kittens. 

Things To Consider

As babies and toddlers, kitten sleep times can be unpredictable and sometimes worrying. You really can’t know what your kitten’s sleep schedule will be like for the first few days you bring them home, and your kitten’s sleep schedule may change over time as they grow up. 

Only when your cat is about two years old will its sleep be very predictable, and even then, you might still find your beloved cat sleeping in some strange positions or at an odd time of day.