OT: Kittens

[temery]

At what age can a kitten be removed from his/her mother? I have been offered a pair of kittens, and I am wondering if eight weeks is too young?

 

[LesMis89]

At what age can a kitten be removed from his/her mother? I have been offered a pair of kittens, and I am wondering if eight weeks is too young?

Weaning usually begins at about four weeks old and takes four-to-six weeks. Eight weeks should be fine.

 

[alexrgct]

Agreed eight weeks should be fine. Once they're able to use the litter box consistently is even better!

 

[FairView]

Eight weeks is fine, but the longer they are with their mother, the better behaved they will be. Our kittens' breeder had a policy of not releasing until 12 weeks. The kitties bit less, took instruction better and were better cleaners. Even our vet and vet techs commented on the good behavior and attributed it to the increased time with their mother.

 

[JimGunther]

Apparently, my 15 year old was aqdopted too early.

The two 18 go outside - mostly -- ewww.

Agreed eight weeks should be fine. Once they're able to use the litter box consistently is even better!

 

[UConnChapette]

I wouldn't take them before 8 weeks, and the point about mom teaching them is important. Hopefully they have received plenty of human socialization as well. From what I hear the ability to interact with humans is established between birth and 8 weeks. If they haven't been handled a lot by people by then, they may never learn to tolerate it. Generally speaking, of course. We have a former stray who LOVES to sit on people and be petted for hours. We don't think she was born feral, more likely had a home but either was "kicked out" or the family moved and left her behind. She is the sweetest cat personality wise we have had.

When my current two feline friends pass on many years from now hopefully, we will look for litter mates. My cats which were obtained a couple of years apart have learned to tolerate each other (barely), but only rarely have they come close enough to sleep "touching" each other - when they both wanted a part of the Snuggy and neither was willing to budge. It would be nice to have two who grew up together and for the most part were best buddies. Already have names for them too....probably will mess up the vets computers though! * (will be called Aster) and & (will be called Sandy).

 

[FairView]

I wanted to name our cats Kung Pao and General Tso, but my wife told me that was immature, foolish and unwise. She used different words, but that was the meaning I believe she sought to convey in her somewhat lengthy commentary on my idea.
Our guys are brothers that groom each other all the time. At 18-months-old now, they are beginning to sleep apart sometimes, but it's only about 25% of the time. When we bring them for rides, they prefer to be in the same cat carrier.

 

[LesMis89]

That point about spending time with mama is a really good one. Was watching 'My Cat from H---' and the cat behaviorist discussed how kittens learn much of their behavior from their mom. Our cats are litter mates that we got about 10 years ago from a woman who purchased them from a pet shop and then found out she was allergic to them. They remained isolated in a room that only her husband entered at feeding time for the next 1 1/2 years while she tried to find them a home that would take both. It took me a really long time to get them comfortable with being picked up. Their official names are Smokey and Rascal but we call them Meowp (he's a talker) and Chub-Chub (although we put him on a diet and he now weighs about 9 1/2 lbs).

 

[terif831]

My last 2 cats were brothers from the same litter that were "dumped" outside at about 8 weeks old by a neighbor in my condo complex while he went on a trip to Europe. One was Creamsicle (pictured in my avatar) and the other Andy, who is all black. Creamsicle passed away 2 years ago from extreme kidney failure, at the age of 10. Andy is still with us.
Despite their rough beginnings, both cats were (are) extremely affectionate with me and my family - but despite the fact that they were litter mates & grew up together, Andy is a definite alpha and desires all the attention, while Creamy was laid back, gentle, and a peacemaker (he would physically get between Andy and any other cat to break up a fight!) Andy would think nothing of chasing Creamy away & tearing out tufts of his fur to make sure he was the center of attention, & Creamy would never retaliate despite his larger size.
I love Andy to death - but I miss my Creamy........

 

[ursusminor]

For what it's worth, my mother-in-law rescued a kitten that was almost certain to be killed/euthanized. She took it to the vet about a week later and the vet put the kitty at about five weeks old. Shameless irresponsibility of the people involved aside, the kitten is now 11 years old. Her brain and physical balance do seem to be a little off-kilter, but she's a (mostly) nice cat.
I'd say, if you're really uncertain, ask a vet.