My kitten cries at night: causes and what to do
A kitten crying at night is very common: cats are more active at dawn and dusk, and a newly arrived kitten misses what they knew. What helps most is giving them play, food, and attention during the day and evening, leaving them a warm, safe place to sleep, and not rewarding nighttime meows. If they suddenly cry nonstop or look unwell, take them to the vet.
Quick answers
- Is it normal?Yes, especially the first nights in a new home.
- Why do they cry?To ask for attention, because they want to play, from hunger, from being in a new place, or sometimes from pain or illness.
- Should I bring them to my bed?You can, but iCatCare warns it can set up nighttime play; it is not cruel for them to sleep in another comfortable room.
- Should I go when they cry?Better not: responding to meows, even to soothe them, reinforces them.
- When to worry?If they also are not eating, are lethargic, have diarrhea or vomiting, or the crying starts suddenly.
In this guide
Why your kitten cries at night
According to VCA behavior specialists, the most common reasons a cat meows insistently are:
- Asking for attention: they learned that if they meow, someone comes.
- Wanting to play: cats are active at hours that do not match ours.
- Medical problems or discomfort: pain or illness can also make them cry.
- Heat: in older intact kittens, vocalizations can be sexual. We cover this in neutering your cat.
In a kitten who just arrived, change adds to it: they were separated from everything they knew and are in a place with new smells and sounds.
How to help them sleep at night
- Play and activity during the day and evening: play sessions with wand toys, kick toys, and puzzle feeders help shift their schedule.
- Food on a regular schedule, including evening, without giving it as a response to meows.
- A safe resting place: a bed with high sides, a low entrance, and a soft blanket, or a cut-down box; if they brought something that smells like their previous home, put it there.
- Everything they need at hand: if they sleep in another room, leave litter box, water, and toys.
- A routine from day one: decide where they will sleep and stick to it.
- Do not respond to crying: not to soothe them, not with food, not with play. Reward quiet moments.
- Never punish them physically.
Be patient: a kitten who spends the day active and well cared for usually learns to sleep at night. It is normal for them to sleep many hours; see how much do kittens sleep.
Should I let them sleep with me?
That is your choice. iCatCare notes that many people feel the kitten needs to be close at night, but that this can get them used to nighttime play, and that there is nothing cruel about settling them in another warm, safe room until morning. The important thing is to choose one option and stick to it.
Signs to see the vet
Contact your vet if your kitten:
- Starts crying suddenly or cries nonstop, day and night.
- Also is not eating, is lethargic, or is losing weight.
- Has vomiting or diarrhea (see kitten with diarrhea and my cat is vomiting).
- Cries when using the litter box or when you touch a certain area.
- Scratches a lot or has fleas, which bother them at night too (see fleas in cats).
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitten cry at night when they arrive home?
It depends on each kitten. With a daytime play and food routine and without rewarding crying, most adapt. If it does not improve, talk to your vet.
Should I ignore them if they cry?
If they are healthy and have everything they need, yes: going every time they meow reinforces the crying. If you are unsure they are fine, check that they are not missing water, food, or a clean litter box.
Do they cry because they are hungry?
They might. Kittens need small, frequent meals; see what do kittens eat to know how many times a day to feed them.
Do they cry because they miss their mom?
A newly arrived kitten was separated from everything they knew. Something with a familiar scent in their bed and a safe place help them adapt.
Caring for a cat? Keep their health in your pocket
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Related pages
Sources
- "Caring for your new kitten" (leaflet). International Cat Care (iCatCare). icatcare.org
- Horwitz, D.; Landsberg, G. "Cat Behavior Problems - Vocalization". VCA Animal Hospitals. vcahospitals.com
- "Diarrhea in Cats". VCA Animal Hospitals. vcahospitals.com
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