How do I keep my kitten calm at night?

Question

I know cats are nocturnal, and a kitten won't understand the human sleep cycle for at least a year (my nine month old kitten sleeps at night, finally)... We just got a new baby kitten (she's 2 months old now) and she's a bundle of energy and sleeps mostly during the day, and at night, she's a wild animal. She keeps my older kitten up to play with her, and the two of them play all night while my wife and I are kept up by their excessive noise...

I've tried locking her in the bathroom at nights, and it keeps them away from each other and they're both calm...until 2 am, when the youngest starts getting antsy and she starts scratching at the door, pitifully meowing at the top of her tiny lungs, starts pulling down towels from the racks, she tears up the shower curtain, and knocks over anything that's not bolted down, making all sorts of noise...

We play with them as much as possible, ESPECIALLY before bedtime, because it really calms them down, but usually in the middle of the night, they're recharged and ready to rumble again...

What can I do to help her calm down and let us sleep at night? I know she'll calm down in a couple months, but we're seriously lacking sleep right now. I've found myself losing my temper and screaming at them in the middle of the night, which isn't good for us, the kittens, or the neighbors...

Answer 1

i'd say just try to wear them out as much as possible before you go to bed, play with them until they cant stand it and just want to sleep!  it may at least buy you a little extra sleeping time for yourself

Answer 2

I wish I could help you out! But I am am having the same problem with our four-month-old cat; I am glad to see that your 7-month-old cat is sleeping at night. I did not know that cats are so much like small children! Good luck to you!!  

Answer 3

Your restricting him in a room is a good way to handle this, it's a method that a lot of cat owners use.  As long as she's got food, litter tray and a couple of toys to keep herself entertained, he'll be fine.  You may want to put your other cat in with him too so he doesn't feel punished.  She'll cry for a couple of nights, but then kittens get used to routines very very quickly and she'll be OK soon.  

Till they mellow out, it's also best to put stuff out the way at night, towels in cupboards and toiletries in cabinets etc.  You won't have to do it once they've gotten used to being restrained, as they'll soon learn to be patient and know they won't be in there forever.

Also, in the adjustment period: earplugs.  Essential :D

Answer 4

I have a 8 m. kitten and I put a heating pad on low in his bed at night. He still wakes me up about 5 am but not through the night anymore. He seem to sleep longer in his warm bed. I also try not to let him take as many day cat naps.