Can I leave my kitten alone at night?
No, it’s not advisable to leave your kitten alone at night especially if she’s still between 8 weeks to 4 months old or younger. If your kitten of this age she should not be left alone for a whole night.
Should you need to go out for the night or have to go on an urgent out-of-town trip, you should make the arrangements to get someone to accompany your kitten while you’re away.
At what age can I leave my kitten alone at night?
Once your kitten is six months old it’s acceptable to leave her alone at night although it’s still best to take necessary precautions like leaving a night light on and having someone to check on her during the night if possible.
Here are the number of hours you can leave your kitten alone according to your kitten’s corresponding age:
- 0- 4 months old – 2 to 4 hours
- 4-5 months old – 5 hours
- 6 months old and up – up to 8 hours
Should I leave a night light on for my kitten?
You may leave a night light on for your kitten but it is not mandatory and make sure that it’s not placed in their primary sleeping place. Cats and kittens have exceptional night vision because of the many receptors in their eyes but a night light may be placed so that you can also easily spot and check on her during the night.
Tips on how to leave your kitten at home alone
If you’re planning to leave your kitten at home alone for a few hours, here are some tips to ensure that your kitten is well-fed, safe and happy.
Provide sufficient food and water for your kitty.
If you’re going to leave your pet kitten for a couple of hours you should ensure that she has enough food and water. Fill their food bowl with kitten food and water bowl with clean water.
Ensure that your home is kitten-proof.
Make sure that your home is safe for the kitten by storing away items that may be toxic for your kitten. Also, be sure there are no small objects or dangling wires and cables around that could harm your extra-active kitten. Check that doors and windows are securely locked, cover holes that could pose risks for your pet and remove house plants as well as breakable items that could harm your kitten
Ensure that your pet kitty has easy access to the litter box.
There should be litter trays in convenient places within your home. A recommended type of litter tray is a shallow and open-top type which is just right for the kitten’s size. Place the litter trays in a convenient nook.
How to care for your kitten?
Kittens need extra care and attention compared to adult cats. They’re fragile and sensitive to things like loud noises and other distractions. They are also more at risk of having illness or parasite infestation. Moreover, their bones, joints and entire bodies are not yet fully developed and they run the risk of getting injured without proper supervision and care.
Here are some tips on how to care for your kitten:
1. Feed your kitten with a nutritious and balanced diet.
Your kitty must get essential nutrients through her daily diet so she’ll grow strong and healthy. She should be given good quality kitten food. You can introduce canned kitten food eventually and your kitten should be fed with undiluted wet or dry kitten food when she’s around 7 weeks old until she’s about a year old.
It is advisable not to immediately switch from a liquid to a solid diet but to do it gradually until your kitten gets used to the food. Her water bowl is always refilled to keep her hydrated and check the food dish that it’s well-cleaned after her meals to avoid contamination and illness.
2. Provide a comfortable bed for your kitty.
Kittens need a extra cozy bed because they can easily get cold so make sure that your pet has a comfortable bed along with a fluffy blanket.
Here are some recommended cat beds for kittens:
- Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Bed Cave for Kitty
- Pawz Road Cat Sleeping Bag Self-Warming Kitty Sack
- Trixie Pet Products Miguel Fold Kitty Tower
3. Groom your kitten regularly.
It is advisable to start grooming your kitten regularly as early as possible so she’ll get used to it and as a great way to bond with each other. Gently brush her fur and reward her with tasty cat treats, pats, and verbal praise so she’ll have a positive association of grooming.
4. Place your kitty’s litter tray in a quiet area.
Cats and kittens prefer to be in a private area to use the litter box so make sure to place it in a quiet corner of the house.
5. Schedule regular playtime with your kitten.
Kittens can be super active and just like small tots they have boundless energy so be sure to have regular playtime with them. Interactive toys are a great choice and kittens especially adore the chase and catch toys.
Here are some recommended kitten toys for your pets:
- PetStages Tower of Tracks Toy
- KONG Active Feather Teaser
- Cat Activity Center
It’s also important to provide scratching posts for your kitten to keep her nails in good condition. Most importantly, make sure to bring your cat to the vet for regular check-ups and deworming and have her spayed or neutered when she is 4 months old.