Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep

If you have a new kitten, he may be very active. Kittens and adult cats are nocturnal hunters by nature, so being active at night is to be expected. Young kittens tend to have a lot of energy, and a frequent complaint among owners is their kitten keeps them up at night. There are a variety of ways to encourage a kitten to sleep through the night.

Training Your Cat to Let You Sleep

 * 1) Develop a bedtime ritual. This ritual or routine should be for both you and your kitten.  Because a cat’s natural routine is to be active at night and sleep during the day you almost need to help reprogram them to do the opposite.  You can do this by creating a ritual you conduct every night that not only helps signal it’s bedtime, but also uses up as much of their energy as possible so they’re tired. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * Start by having an active play session with your kitten in the late evening, maybe an hour before it’s time for bed.
 * 3) * Once you and your kitten have finished playing, give them a bedtime snack or treat.
 * 4) * When you’re kitten is finished the snack, start your normal bedtime routine and have your kitten follow you. The purpose of them watching you perform your routine is so that they learn what activities signal bedtime for you (and them).
 * 5) * Go to bed and turn out the lights. Cuddle with your kitten.  By this point they should be tuckered out.
 * 6) * As you complete your routine everyday, your kitten will learn what it means and better understand what is expected from them.
 * 7) Play relaxing music for your kitten. Play kitten or cat-specific music to help your kitten relax and fall asleep.  YouTube has a variety of music playlists designed specifically to help kittens relax.  Try playing the music while you’re preparing to go to bed to help your kitten calm down.  If you find it works well for your kitten, make it a part of your bedtime routine to help signal to your kitten that it’s time for bed. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Put away the toys. Sometimes the most annoying part of a hyper kitten not wanting to sleep is the noise her toys make.  A lot of cat toys come with bells and squeak sounds, or they’re made of hard plastic, or another solid material.  When it’s time for you to go to bed, put away your kitten’s toys in a toy box.  If you need to leave out toys, only leave out soft toys that don’t make any noise.  The lack of toys available for play may cause the kitten to decide it’s time for a nap instead, and may eventually lead the kitten to play more during the day (when her favourite toys are available) and sleep through the night.  [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Discourage your kitten from napping when you’re around. Ironically cats love to sleep, although kittens do tend to sleep less than adult cats.  If your kitten decides to have a nap in the afternoon or evening, and then keeps you up at night because she’s hyper, try to discourage her from having those naps.  If you see her napping, wake her up to play.  You shouldn’t have to keep this up for too long before she learns that evenings are time for play and nights are time for sleep. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Implement the “do nothing” rule. Hyper kittens may continue to be hyper because they receive some form of attention when they’re hyper.  If a kitten bugs you to the point that you start playing with it, feeding it, or giving it some type of attention, it will repeat that behaviour over and over (because she has you trained!).  While it may be difficult, one of the best types of training a kitten can get is to understand that you are not always available for their exclusive use.  When it’s time for bed, or if you’re actually in bed, and you kitten comes looking for attention, do nothing.  Ignore you kitten and continue doing whatever it was that you were doing. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 11) * While not a quick fix, this type of training is important for a kitten’s future. Your kitten needs to learn early on that they need to wait for you to instigate things like feeding and play time.
 * 12) Discipline your kitten with love. It may seem counter-intuitive, but when your kitten starts bugging you for any reason, reach out and give them a massive hug.  Hold them and love them and cuddle them.  You’ll notice they probably won’t be overly impressed with this excessive love, and that’s a good thing.  If you give them these massive hugs when they’re doing something they shouldn’t be doing (like playing with your feet when you’re trying to sleep) they’ll eventually stop performing that activity.  Your kitten will start to connect certain activities with getting a massive (and annoying) hug, and in order to prevent getting such a hug, they’ll stop whatever activity caused it. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 13) Provide breakfast that doesn’t require you to wake up. Cats have a shorter sleep cycle than humans.  Even if we manage to get them to go to bed at the same time as us, they may wake up earlier looking for breakfast or attention.  The absolute worst thing you can do is get up and give them that attention.  If you do, they’ll have your trained perfectly in no time!  Chances are your kitten is looking for some food when it first wakes up, so make sure there’s some food left out the night before that they can have for breakfast. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 14) * There are all types of cat food bowls that have timers you can set where they either open or dispense food at specific intervals. These types of bowls don’t require you to physically get up to feed your kitten, but the intervals keep your kitten to a specific routine.  If you kitten knows there will be food in its bowl around 7am, it won’t bug you for breakfast.  Instead your kitten will wait by the bowl until the food appears.

Creating an Area for Sleep

 * 1) Create perches. Cats are natural observers and enjoy being up high to observe household activities. Kittens may be less inclined to bother you at night if they have somewhere they enjoy sleeping. A perch could be a great location for your cat.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Cat condos are sold at most commercial and independent pet stores. They are also available for purchase online and are sold at some department stores. They can be somewhat pricey, sometimes going for over $100, but might be worth the investment if your kitten tends to climb curtains and shelves where he is not permitted.
 * 3) *If a cat condo is out of your price range, you could clear off a portion of a book shelf or dresser for your cat. Putting his food, water dish, or toys there will help him know that spot is for him.
 * 4) *You could also make your own condo, by stacking up crates or boxes. However, make sure you use glue or tape to secure the boxes together. If your cat jumps too quickly, or if there's some kind of disruption in the house like a slamming door, the tower could topple. You want to make sure your cat does not get hurt.
 * 5) Put a warm blanket in your cat's sleeping area. Sometimes, kittens disrupt owners sleep because they miss the warmth of their mothers and siblings. If your kitten has recently been separated from his litter, he might be intruding your space at night because sleeping alone feels unnatural to him. Placing a blanket or a bed in your dryer for 20 minutes before bedtime will warm it up. Once your kitten sees his sleeping space is nice and warm, he might be less likely to bother you. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Keep your kitten in a separate room at night. While you might love the idea of snuggling up with your feline friend at bedtime, if your kitten is prone to hyperactivity it might be a good idea to keep him out of the bedroom until he's matured.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 7) *When the time comes for bed, close the door and do not let your cat in. He may cry or scratch at the door for a bit, but once he sees you're not letting him in he'll probably refrain from this behavior.
 * 8) *If your kitten keeps scratching at the door for prolonged periods, try creating a device to deter him from going to the door. Try putting vinyl carpet cover, with the knobby side pointed upward, or double sided tape near the door.

Making Your Cat Sleepy

 * 1) Consider a second kitten. If your kitten is particularly hyperactive, having a playmate might help him release some of his pent up energy during the day.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Kittens tend to do well if they're introduced to another cat at a young age. You may still need to introduce them slowly, keeping them in separate spaces in your home for a few days.
 * 3) *Make sure your current kitten doesn't have any existing behavioral problems that might make introducing another kitten difficult. If your kitten comes from an abusive home, or displays aggressive tendencies, you may want to hold off on getting another kitten.
 * 4) Change meal times. If you do not feed your kitten at a regular time, or feed him early in the evening, changing his meal time may make him more likely to sleep at night.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 12.jpg|center]]
 * 5) *Feed your kitten about half an hour before you plan to go to bed. A meal might make your kitten sleepy and he'll be more likely to rest when you do.
 * 6) *If your kitten wakes you up early in the morning looking for food, buying an automatic feeder online or at a pet store might prevent him from bothering you.
 * 7) *Don't get up to feed the kitten when she's boisterous at night, since this rewards her behavior.
 * 8) Play with your kitten during the day. Kittens need a lot of stimulation. Playing with your kitten during the day and each night close to bedtime will help tire him out and make him more likely to sleep at night rather than bothering you.[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 3.jpg|center]][[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 13.jpg|center]]
 * 9) *Play sessions should imitate how cats hunt in the wild. Toys that can be dragged across the floor or waved in the air are great for kittens. Even tying an existing mouse toy to a piece of string can work. You can also get a fishing pole type toy from a local pet store or buy one online.
 * 10) *Cats generally need 15 to 30 minutes of interactive play a day, but if you have a particularly energetic kitten he may need up to an hour of engagement. Make sure you take 5 or 10 minutes to slow down the games before you stop completely, as stopping abruptly may be jarring to your kitten. He might end up bothering you for more entertainment rather than going to sleep.
 * 11) Provide interactive games while you're away from work. If you work long hours and your kitten is alone during the day, he might get bored. This could lead to an increase in activity during the night, resulting in him keeping you awake. Look for interactive games your kitten can enjoy while you are gone.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 14.jpg|center]]
 * 12) *Puzzle games usually have a treat or a toy inside some kind of container. The cat can only get the food or toy when he figures out how to open the toy. Try setting up a puzzle game for your cat before you leave for work.
 * 13) *If you have a backyard, consider installing a birdhouse. Kittens will enjoy siting on the window watching the birds from inside while you are away. Even if you are unable to install a feeder, simply leaving the windows open allows your kitten to engage with the outside world.

Seeking Veterinary Care

 * 1) Have a full veterinary exam to rule out a medical cause. If your kitten seems particularly hyperactive and does not calm down despite your efforts, there may be an underlying medical cause is to blame. Take your kitten to the vet's and have a full medical exam performed.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 15.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Any unusual changes in behavior may be a sign something is wrong. If your kitten was normally quiet and calm but suddenly became hyperactive, this might be a sign of a thyroid disorder. This can be detected with a blood test and is treated with daily medication.
 * 3) *A veterinarian will listen to your kitten's medical history and then perform a physical exam. If she thinks it's necessary, she may order to blood tests. If she determines your kitten is in good health, you could ask her for advice about how to keep your kitten calm at night.
 * 4) Get your kitten spayed or neutered. If your kitten has not already been spayed or neutered, this may be contributing to hyperactivity.[[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 16.jpg|center]]
 * 5) *Female kittens tend to make a lot of noise when they go into heat. They may cry to get outside, as they're seeking a mate, and you will notice an increase in activity. Spaying your kitten will prevent these kinds of problems.
 * 6) *Not only are un-neutered males generally more active, they tend to make a lot more noise and may engage in other disruptive behaviors such as spraying furniture. Having your male cat neutered should reduce such problems.
 * 7) Invest in synthetic pheromones. Synthetic pheromones are substances produced to combat anxiety and hyperactivity in cats. As cats produce a certain type of pheromone when they feel comfortable, getting a synthetic version of that pheromone may keep your kitten calm. Synthetic pheromones may be purchased at most pet stores and veterinary clinics. They can also be ordered online. However, not all cats have the same reaction to pheromones and if your cat seems distressed or bothered by their presence cease use. [[Image:Put a Hyper Kitten to Sleep Step 17.jpg|center]]

Warnings

 * Do not train your cat using any form of physical punishment. If you need to “punish” bad behaviour try hugging your cat or having them take a time out in their carrier (with the door open).
 * Most cats and kittens are lactose intolerant and won’t react well to being fed cow’s milk. If you want to provide your cat or kitten with milk, make sure it’s something designed specifically for cats.

Related wikiHows

 * Get Your Cat to Sleep With You
 * Put a Two Year Old to Sleep
 * Put a Baby to Sleep
 * Get Your Dog to Sleep

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