Frequent naps are completely normal for kittens under 6 months old. As cute as they look snoozing all day can disrupt their regular sleep cycle.
With the rise of pet products to sell online, many cat owners are looking for ways to curb their kittens’ nap habits and set up a proper sleep schedule.
Sleep training a kitten can be a frustrating process, but it doesn’t have to be.
This blog post will provide tips and tricks for establishing set nap times and bedtime routines to stop incessant catnapping, allowing your kitten and you to get better quality sleep.
Tips to Discourage Catnapping
Here are some tips I’ve learned that can help extend your kitten’s naps and improve their overall sleep:
- Establish a calming pre-nap routine: Similar to human infants, a soothing ritual like soft petting or reading to your kitten will prepare them for longer naps. Slow blinking at your kitten to mimic closing eyes is another calming signal.
- Provide a cozy sleeping space: Kittens feel safest in dark, enclosed spaces. A covered cat bed, like the popular Igloo-style beds, provides
- the perfect catnap nook. Line it with soft blankets so they can burrow and get comfy.
- Stick to a consistent schedule: Feeding, playing, and nap times at regular intervals throughout the day help set their body clock. Schedule more active playtime right before nap periods.
- Limit daytime sleep to 2-3 naps: Gradually stretch nap times to 1-2 hours. Carry a sleeping kitten to their bed if they doze off elsewhere. Gently rouse them after 1 hour but let them go back to sleep if needed.
- Engage in relaxing play before bed: Interactive toys like wands and feather teasers followed by pre-bedtime snuggles will release pent-up energy and prime them for an overnight snooze. Consider pet calming aids like Feliway to promote sleep.
With patience and consistency, I was able to extend my kitten’s naps to 2-3 hours, 2-3 times a day.
She still catnaps occasionally but has an overall healthier sleep cycle. Don’t be discouraged if progress is slow at first – every kitten has a unique personality and it takes time to establish new routines.
But the investment is well worth it for a happy, well-rested fur baby!
Tips in summary:
- Establish a calming pre-nap routine
- Provide cozy, enclosed sleeping spaces
- Stick to a consistent schedule
- Limit daytime sleep to 2-3 long naps
- Engage in relaxing play before bedtime
