Should I Leave a Light on for My Kitten at Night?
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You just got a kitten and it’s your first night. I can understand how you may be a little paranoid as to whether or not kittens can see in the dark or need a little light when they sleep. Should you leave a light on for your kitten at night? The answer to this question is no. You do not need to keep a light on for your kitten at night. This is solely due to cats having better night vision than humans do. If it makes you feel better leaving a small bit of light on for your kitten, then by all means go ahead. This is especially so for safety reasons.
Leaving a light on for a kitten can help prevent you from accidentally stepping on or kicking your kitten if you are walking around a dark room in the middle of the night. All in all, a little extra light wont hurt near your cat’s litter box, water, or food bowl in case they are thirsty or need to use the restroom at night.
Do Cats like to Sleep in the Dark or Light?
Cats, like humans, have a pineal gland. This gland actually regulates melatonin. This is the main reason why we get sleepier at night. So as a result of this gland, cats should also like to sleep in the dark since it helps make them sleepier. If you must keep a light on then I recommend keeping a small night light for safety purposes, especially if your cat likes to sleep in the middle of a room or floor. This will help prevent you from stepping or kicking them in the middle of the night.
Keeping the lights off when your cat sleeps is probably the best idea. Also try to keep a habitual pattern at night to help your cat sleep better. Try to make your cat sleep at around the same time and the same area so that your cat knows that it’s time to go to sleep.
Where Should Kittens Sleep at Night?
Bringing home a new kitten can be a very exciting time. You may have a hundred questions and one of them may be asking where you should put your kitten at night to sleep. Your kitten will first need to feel comfortable in their new home before they can sleep well.
It may take awhile for your kitten to first get used to their new surroundings so don’t get frustrated if you can’t get your kitten to sleep where you want at first. The main thing to remember is that a kitten wants to feel cozy, warm, and safe. If these three requirements are met, then you may even find your kitten in your closet snugging up against your dirty laundry.
You can help your cat fill all of these needs by providing a small cat bed with a warm center cushion surrounded by higher sides so that he can lay down and change positions freely. If you choose a bed that is a little bit too big for your kitten, then you can always make it more cozy by rolling up a blanket or two to line the inside of the bed.
Can You Leave a Kitten Alone Overnight?
If your kitten is under 6 months old then you should not leave them alone overnight. Someone needs to check on the kitten before bed as well as after they wake up, especially if they are left alone for 8 hours during the night. It’s also good to interact with your kitten throughout the day. They are constantly growing and stimulation is good for a growing kitten.
Once your kitten has reached at least 6 months of age, then they should be able to spend the day alone without too much worry. I would still recommend having someone check up on your kitten at least every 8 hours to make sure food and water requirements are met while you are gone.
Final Thoughts
Kittens do not need light in order to sleep comfortable or at all. It is best to keep the lights off to help stimulate natural melatonin production which in turn will help your kitten fall asleep.
It is best to start sleep training your kitten as early as possible by picking out a nice small cat bed. After you have a small cat bed, you will then need to find a place for your kitten to sleep. Select a spot in your home that is quiet and dark to place your kitten’s bed so they can feel the most comfortable.
A kitten under 6 months old should never be left alone for more than 8 hours at a time. Always arrange a pet sitter or someone to be at your home to check on your kitten to make sure they have enough food and water.
