Can I Put My Kitten In A Cage At Night?

​For many animals that we can keep as pets, keeping them in a cage at night has many useful benefits including teaching them discipline, taming them if they’re a bit restless and also to just provide a safe space that can leave a pet feeling more comfortable around the house and with their owner.

Kittens however are a unique case since while they will soon grow up to the independent and territorial grown cats that we all know and love, when they are kittens they can be much more irritable or sometimes upset when left alone for too long. 

If you are thinking of keeping a kitten in a cage at night to keep them secure and safe, here are a few things that every owner should always consider first. 

​Will My Kitten Be Safe In A Cage Overnight?

​Kittens who are up to a year old are perfectly safe to keep in a cage at night, in fact it is very common among cat owners especially for kittens who love nothing more than roaming around their new environment.

As a pet owner, the idea of keeping your small companion locked up overnight can seem cruel, however there are actually a good number of benefits of using these capsules when it's time to go to bed.

Litter Box Training 

Not only do kittens love roaming around, they also won’t hesitate to leave behind any nasty surprises around the house for when you get up in the morning.

This is because kittens have immature bladders and bowels and while more mature cats can sometimes have trouble with their bodily functions, it's even worse for kittens.

If you keep their cage close to a litter tray, this will quickly train your cat where and how to relieve themselves when they need to and can usually only take 3-4 weeks depending on how disciplined the kitten is. 

Improved Sleeping

Kittens are known for being restless, so keeping them in the routine of going into a cage with comfortable bedding at night can help them develop a sleeping routine.

The first year of a kitten's life is when they are most formative and where they will begin to frame their behavior and characteristics based on what they see and understand around them. 

When they learn that the nighttime is time for sleeping and they recognize that their cage is their personal spot for resting during the end of the day, it can massively improve kittens sleeping patterns and allows them to feel more refreshed and energized when they wake up the morning after which is important for keeping them healthy.

Bonding Between A Kitten And Its Mother 

While a kitten is very formative in their first year, there is no one they will copy more from than their mother which can help them bond much easier since after giving birth the mother will often be too exhausted to move very far so a cage keeps them together a lot more.

By simply being around their mothers, kittens can learn how to take care of themselves, how to clean themselves, what to eat and in general how to survive as a cat which actually saves a lot of time for the owner.

The mother will need time to themselves to exercise and roam around independently in the day which also makes the cage great for encouraging that bonding time between the kitten and mother in the night time.

Stopping A Kitten From Chewing 

Similar to young dogs, there’s not much that kittens love more than having a good chew on whatever they find whether it be shoes or even the sofa.

Many kittens will enjoy chewing on random objects while they’re teething but can even do it well into adulthood when they are restless or bored.

A cage can quickly teach a kitten not to chew around the house so they won’t get into the habit when they grow older.

​It can even be a good idea to put just a small chew toy in their cage with them just in case they get that itch but you don’t want them finding a snack around the house.

​What To Consider When Caging A Kitten Overnight?

​Putting a kitten safely into a cage so that they can learn how to be disciplined and sensible is a great way to encourage them to grow out of the many bad habits that come with being young, however there are a few very important points to consider when using this method overnight.

Choose The Right Size

While at first it can seem like the best idea to get a smaller crate for your miniature feline companion, it’s often a better option to get a medium to large sized cave only because you will need to fit in bowls, bedding and any toys into the cage, along with allowing enough space for exercise which is vital for kittens.

Make It As Comfortable As Possible

You want your kitten to see the cage as a safe space, which is why placing a small kitty condo or cushy bed is the perfect way to keep them comfortable and relaxed.

This is important because the steel and isolated design of cages can sometimes make kittens feel anxious, so allowing them to rest easy is very important.

Respect Your Cats Wishes 

While there are multiple benefits to keeping a kitten in a cage overnight, if you find that they are being very resistant or if they scream, shout or flee when close to the cage, don’t force them in as this can only make them feel even more uneasy. 

If you’re finding it hard to make them comfortable, try spritzing the cage with synthetic feline pheromone to make them feel a bit less stressed and more at ease. 

​Summary

​Keeping kittens in a cage overnight is a great way to teach them discipline and keep them from chewing up the house, just always make sure you make it as comfortable and accessible as possible so they don't end up getting too stressed or restless.