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Should You Leave a Light On For My Kitten At Night

Many cat owners have a common question: “should I leave a light on for my kitten at night?” Cats have a natural ‘night vision’ that allows them to see clearly in the dark. Although it’s not really necessary, you can still leave a light on while your kitty adjusts to its new home. The night light also makes it easy for you to check your kitten in the middle of the night.

Should I leave a light on for my kitten at night?

If you’re confused about leaving a light on for your kitten or not, the following points should help you decide:

should I leave a light on for my kitten at night

Should You Leave a Light On For My Kitten At Night

  • Your cat’s color

If you have a black or dark-colored cat, it will help if you leave a light on at night. This will prevent other household members from stepping on the little kitten.

  • Your kitten is new to your home

If your kitten has been comfortable with a specific spot and lighting in your home, it’s best to leave that light on. Keep doing this at night until your kitten is more comfortable around the house.

  • You are leaving the kitten alone at night

If your kitten isn’t used to sleeping in your bedroom, you can leave a light on at night. This works most of the time if your kitten cries when the lights are off. You can read more tips about leaving your cat at home by clicking the link to another article on our website on how long you can leave a cat alone.

 

4 Tips to Keep a kitten comfortable at Night

If you just brought home a new kitten, you can do the following things to keep it comfy and at peace.

Keep a kitten comfortable at Night

1- Use a calming scent

A calming diffuser helps cats a lot. The mellow smell relaxes the little kitty and helps it fall asleep through the night.

Just make sure that you use the right oils or fluids to diffuse, as some can be dangerous for cats. Calming diffusers can help kittens even if you don’t leave a light on.

2- Tuck, the kitten in your piece of clothing

Kittens use scent to be familiar with their surroundings and the people around them. Placing your used shirt on the pet’s bed will help the nervous kitty calm down. Your scent will reassure the kitten of your presence, which will help it sleep through the night.

You can also use another shirt as a blanket to keep your kitten warm.

3- Leave a light on

This is the point where one can think, “do I need to leave a light on for my kitten at night?” If your kitten keeps on crying in the dark, leaving a light on will help. The kitten should outgrow this over the next few months. Please read here do cat understand words if you want to read more about cat training. 

4- Place a warm bottle of water on its bed

Kittens can’t control their body temperature when they’re too young. This can cause crying and meowing on a cold night.

A quick fix here is placing a bottle of warm water wrapped in a towel on the kitten’s bed. Remember, warm, NOT hot, as it can hurt your lovely pet. 

6 Frequently Asked Questions

Apart from “Should, I leave a light on for my kitten at night or not?” there are some frequently asked questions about cats. These questions have been answered here to help you take care of your pet cat in a better way. 

Q1: Where should kittens sleep at night?

A: Kittens spend a lot of their time sleeping, so a kitten must sleep in a secure and cozy spot. It will help to put up a ‘safe zone’ for the kitten with soft and warm bedding. For clingy kittens, placing them beside your bed will also help. However, avoid placing a small kitten beside you as there’s a risk of crushing their small bodies.

Q2: Can kittens be left alone in the dark?

A: Yes, kittens can be left alone in the dark since they can clearly see without the lights. However, if you have a small cat breed, it’s not safe to leave them in the dark as someone else in the household might step on its little body. Please read here: Do Cats Like The Dark

Q3: Is it cruel to lock a cat in a room at night?

A: You should think twice if you’re thinking of keeping a kitten in the bathroom at night or some other locked room.

Afraid kittens will meow incessantly. There shouldn’t be any problem if the room has a litter box, a comfy bed, a water bowl, and food.

Q4: Do cats get lonely at night?

A: Cats, especially kittens, can get lonely at night when left alone. This is a common struggle when bringing home an 8-week old kitten. You have to keep the kitten close, especially at night, when it can get hungry.

Q5: Is it okay to let a kitten roam the house?

A: If the kitten is still young and small, it’s not advisable to let the feline roam a large house. Someone may step on the kitten, or it may get hurt upon toppling an object.

Q6: Where should I let my kitten sleep at night?

A: Your kitten should sleep in a comfortable and safe spot. You have to ensure that your kitten is warm and not chilly in the middle of the night. If you think about “should my kitten sleep in a crate?” Yes, a crate is the safest area for your kitten.

Summary 

If your kitten is very young, you can leave a light on for it at night. Especially if your little pet seems to be afraid of the dark, keeping a light on will help it adjust to the new environment. With time, it will get used to the new house, and then you can even turn the light off at night. We are hopeful that you have got the answer to your question, “should I leave a light on for my kitten at night?” 

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