Youngest a kitten can be adopted out?

tara g

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I was wondering what the youngest "week-age" a kitten can be adopted out from its mother. I've heard anywhere from 6-8 weeks, to 10-12 weeks. It's been a LONG time since we had any new-born kittens in the family (1993). I dont know how old Chassis was when we adopted her from the vet. Caliper was about 7-8 weeks when we got her from the recycling center.

We are looking to adopt two kittens from Rob's brother's gf's friend's cat's litter (whew, that's a long one). They are 2-3 weeks old, and they wanted to adopt them out in another 3-4 weeks. Is this WAY too soon? That would put them at 5-7 weeks. We'd probably wait the 4 weeks. (And definitely a lot longer than I expected to wait to get some kittens!) A friend of mine started putting hers up for adoption at 6 weeks.

I ask because Rob & I dont want to do anything bad for their welfare. We're ready to bring some kittens into our life here, to cheer us up, play with, and to enjoy since we've been talking about getting kittens for the last year or so.
 

AbbysMom

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It really is best if they are 10-12 weeks old. They learn a lot from their mother and in some cases will have behavioral issues if they are adopted out too young.
 

goldenkitty45

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The IDEAL time to adopt is 10-12 weeks, but 12-16 weeks is even better. Its more then just learning how to use a litter pan and to eat solid foods. Its very important cat behaviors that are learned when kittens are allowed to stay with mom and siblings for 12 weeks.

Many behavior/social problems can occur when you take a kitten too soon. People usually complain about how a kitten plays inappropriately (biting, scratching, etc.) cause they didn't spend time with their siblings and learn more control.

Socially a kitten is better 12-16 weeks old to adopt to a new house with little problems.

I would not adopt a kitten younger then 10 weeks old unless it was very special circumstances. I am a ex-breeder and know how to care for younger kittens, but most people don't have the time/patience to deal with very young kittens.

My rex kittens were just learning about solid foods at 6-7 weeks old - they were NO where near ready emotionally/physically to go to new homes till they were 4 months old.

Its more of an emotional/social healthy behavior to let them stay longer.
 

callista

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Oh, yes, wait 'til twelve weeks if you can. They will learn much more about proper interaction with their littermates, as well as eating solid food, using the litter box, etc.

Behavior problems possible if you take a kitten at 5-7 weeks:
--Sucking on wool, cloth, or hair (can cause digestive problems or even a blockage)
--Playing with claws out--ouch!--or biting
--Not covering up poo in the litter box
--Eating problems, resulting in a skinny or even malnourished kitten, or one that has to go back to formula for a while
--Not knowing how to interact with other cats, resulting in fighting or fearful behavior
--Being overly attached to you and insecure when you are gone--sometimes resulting in destructive behavior out of anxiety
--Emotional issues: Anxiety, fearfulness

So yeah, they need their moms for quite a while.

Here's what you should do, though:
Visit the kittens often, and play with them. You want them to know your smell and your voice and the way you act. This way the transition to your house is less jarring--it will still be a major event, but much more manageable when they know you are not a big bad monster.
 
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tara g

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Originally Posted by Callista

Oh, yes, wait 'til twelve weeks if you can. They will learn much more about proper interaction with their littermates, as well as eating solid food, using the litter box, etc.

Behavior problems possible if you take a kitten at 5-7 weeks:
--Sucking on wool, cloth, or hair (can cause digestive problems or even a blockage)
--Playing with claws out--ouch!--or biting
--Not covering up poo in the litter box
--Eating problems, resulting in a skinny or even malnourished kitten, or one that has to go back to formula for a while
--Not knowing how to interact with other cats, resulting in fighting or fearful behavior
--Being overly attached to you and insecure when you are gone--sometimes resulting in destructive behavior out of anxiety
--Emotional issues: Anxiety, fearfulness

So yeah, they need their moms for quite a while.

Here's what you should do, though:
Visit the kittens often, and play with them. You want them to know your smell and your voice and the way you act. This way the transition to your house is less jarring--it will still be a major event, but much more manageable when they know you are not a big bad monster.
Caliper does do the suckling thing to this day, but has calmed down with it over the last year or two.

I dont know if visiting often will be a good idea or not, since we may not be able to adopt them after all. We want to make sure we get two from the same litter, and come to find out someone else has "dibs" on another kitten too. I guess I'd feel bad if I got them used to us visiting, and then we disappeared. Plus, I dont even know the person who's cat this is, its one of those long strings of "fiance's brother's girlfriend's friend's cat" type things.

Thanks for the advice everyone
We may just go to the SPCA here too, we havent 100% decided yet. One of the workers there is on the radio every Tuesday morning, trying to adopt out a pet, and always mentions how many many kittens there need loving homes.
 

nekochan

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Ok I have a related question... If you are adopting a pair of kittens, is younger ok since they are still with a littermate?
 

goldenkitty45

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Well its not that much better. I suppose if littermates were adopted out at 8 or 9 weeks it would be ok. Still they would be denied some important social/behavior lessons from adult cats.

Even with littermates, its a lot better to let them stay the 10-12 weeks minimum.
 
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