How to Make a Cat Sleep Instantly: 13 Tips

Sleeping with your cat, especially during the chilly nights, can make you feel warm and cosy. In fact, having them by your side can be great for your emotional health and reduce stress. But getting your kitty to sleep through the night can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are a new pet parent. While the lullaby Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty worked for Sheldon, you need to up your game here! So, how to make a cat sleep instantly? Today, Sleep Guides India brings you all the effortless ways to help you. Just keep reading to know all about them! 

1. Play with them before going to bed

Wondering how to get my cat to sleep at night? Well, playtime is the answer. For all cats, playtime is super essential, despite their age. So, even if your cat is older, ensure they get the needed stimulation. Therefore, try playing with them for at least 30 minutes daily. Playing with your cat is imperative for a good night’s rest, and it also helps get rid of the excess energy they possess, keeps them calm, and aids their overall health. This is how to make kitten sleep.

When your cat doesn’t get the attention it deserves or gets bored very frequently, it can lead to behavioural problems and also cause depression or anxiety.

2. Feed the kitten warm food

How to make cats sleepy? You can always schedule feeding sessions right before bed. When their belly is full, it makes it easier for them to fall asleep. You can also make sure that you feed your kitten warm food. However, ensure that the food isn’t too hot and mix it well before you serve. You can also add carbohydrate-rich food, such as potato or rice to induce sleepiness. Also, place a fresh bowl of drinking water and ensure they have easy access to it. 

3. Keep your cat busy while you’re away from home

If you have two cats, that’s great. They can keep each other company while you are away. However, if you just have one cat, you must devise tricks to keep them busy. Here, you can try interactive puzzles and games. This way, they get tired and quickly doze off. This is how to make a cat fall asleep. 

4. Create a routine

Cats are creatures of habit and they love their routine. Therefore, you can always ensure that you feed them or clean the litter boxes at the same time every day. So, if you have a nighttime routine, such as brushing your teeth, changing into comfy clothes or drinking a glass of water before bed, it tells your cat that you are now getting ready to sleep. 

5. Create Safe Hiding Spaces

If you have had your feline friend for quite some time now, you must already know that hiding here, and there is something they love! It helps them feel safe and can also calm them down before bed. So, ensure you have several safe hiding places in your home. In fact, cats tend to adore cardboard boxes. You can also bring home play tunnels or cat caves. But remember, they might get bored by the same old thing. So, keep switching things up to keep it fun.

6. Set the right mood

When it is time to hit the sheets, you prefer a cool dark room. Well, your cat does too. Cats have excellent vision, which means they can easily navigate during the night. However, your cat may call it a day when the mood is set right. This is an easy way on how to make cats sleepy.

7. Keep toys in a different room

Cats are known for sleeping in short bursts. It means that they don’t sleep for 7 to 8 hours as we do. But they sleep in sessions where each can last between a few minutes to several hours. Since your cats get bored easily, entertainment must always be accessible. So, make sure your cat is privy to all the toys in a separate room. So, when your cat wakes up, it can burn off its energy and then return to bed for another round of cat sleeping. Easy! 

8. Hold the kitten securely in your arms or lap

If you are thinking about how to make kittens fall asleep, one of the best ways is to let it fall asleep on your lap. You can place a soft blanket on your lap and let your cat rest on it. In fact, to make cat fall asleep, you can also cuddle them or place them under your sweater as the warmth can help them fall asleep. However, don’t force it to stay. If your cat is feeling uncomfortable, let it be. 

9. Stroke the cat’s nose and forehead

To make a cat sleepy, all you have to do is stroke its neck and forehead. Start halfway from the bridge of its nose and move towards the end of the forehead. During the process, you will see your cat trying to blink or close its eyes. Keep doing it as this encourages your cat to fall asleep.

10. Make a warm, soft bed

How do cats fall asleep so fast? Another tip on how to make my cat go to sleep is to keep their bed soft and warm. You can use a cosy blanket for that extra fluff. And as aforementioned, kittens like it warm. So, you can place a warm hot water bag beneath the blanket to make it extra comfortable for them. 

11. Make sure they are healthy

Now you are familiar with tips on how to make kittens go to sleep. But one thing you must check before you change their sleep schedule is if they are healthy. If you have an old cat or leave them for long durations, you may not notice any symptoms. They can suffer from various conditions from hormonal imbalances to urinary tract infections. Therefore, always opt for regular vet checkups to ensure they are fully healthy.  

12. Provide the kittens with other necessities

Once your cat goes to bed, ensure all the necessities are easily accessible. For instance, the litter box, water, toys and even food. Also, you must keep the litter box always clean to ensure they don’t pee on their beds. 

13. Ensure That the Lights Are Not Too Bright

While kittens don’t need a light at night, you can leave it on for the first few days to familiarise your little one with the surroundings. However, make sure that the light isn’t too bright. And later, keep the rooms dark and silent. 

Conclusion

Now you know all the tips to make a cat sleep instantly. Take it slow and see what works for your cat. And if you notice any health symptoms, make sure you visit the vet right away!

FAQs