Adopting a momcat and kittens

Hi everyone! I'm brand new, and I love what I've seen of the Cat Site! You're all so supportive and helpful. Thanks for making this a terrific resource for catlovers.

After two years severely mourning the loss of my dear little cat Choie (at 19 years old -- her memorial site is listed below), and being unable to imagine being able to love another, I'm finally ready to open my heart and home once more. (I'm still feeling a bit guilty and afraid of losing again, but I have to try anyway.) Many visits to Petfinder later, I've found a pair of sibling kittens (brother & sister) who seemed to speak to my soul with their sweet eyes. They're about eight weeks old, and are still weaning with their ten month old mom at the foster home. I'm scheduled to take them after they've been spayed/neutered next week.

Thing is, I hate to think of breaking up this little family, and even though I originally just wanted two cats, I'm almost certainly gonna take in the momcat as well. I have lots of questions about this, if anyone has experience in raising a mom and kittens together.

1) Is it a good idea to keep the family together, or am I just being too sentimental?
2) I haven't been able to find much info about how cat families get along with one another after they grow up. Will the kittens rely too much on momcat and never truly socialize with me?
3) Will momcat be too protective of her kids, or -- after I get her spayed once weaning is over) -- will she even get along with the kids?
4) Is it going to be difficult to wean these kittens if I can't physically separate them from the mom in my very small home?

Thank you so much in advance! I'm so nervous about this undertaking, but excited and full of anticipation for having wonderful warm cats in my life again.

I wanted to say that I think you are doing a great thing, for adopting from rescue.
Even if you just get the kits and not the mom.
About your questions, I don't want to put myself at risk of looking like a total idiot and saying something that isn't true.

But from experience, with SOME cats, the kittens will have a hard time learning to leave there mom alone. It's possible they will hang out with their mom more then you, but they could do a 180 and have the complete opposite personalities.

Some mother cats are protective of their young, very protective, others will plead with you "please take these children from me, I need a break!" lol

Some cats will wean early, some "just right" and some will have a tough time still trying to suckle their mom even as older kits. If they are 8 weeks they should be either done or just about done with their momma's milk, and should be on a wet & dry food premium diet.

Hi Kira,

Welcome to the community. Thank you for being so concerned that you are asking questions prior to performing the adoption.

1) Is it a good idea to keep the family together, or am I just being too sentimental?

A momcat should be with her kittens for 12 weeks at least (ideally) But after that time, you will see her start to get gnarly with the kits and bite them and push them away and warn them off. This is her way of making them adults and she will want some space away from them for awhile.


2) I haven't been able to find much info about how cat families get along with one another after they grow up. Will the kittens rely too much on momcat and never truly socialize with me?

The kittens will learn from their mother all they need to know, how to hunt, how to use the litter pan etc..But as they grow, they will distance themeselves from her as nature takes over and their personalities develop. They will socialize with you because you have a warm lap, you bring them food and toys and provide them love.

3) Will momcat be too protective of her kids, or -- after I get her spayed once weaning is over) -- will she even get along with the kids?

This depends on the momcat. I have had some that hang with the kittens almost all the time, and others who just vanish after they are old enough, then come back when they have forgotten who she is.


4) Is it going to be difficult to wean these kittens if I can't physically separate them from the mom in my very small home?

I would say that from your post that if you don't have a large enough place to give momcat some space after the kittens are weaned, you might run into some problems.

Thanks very much to Angel and Hissy for the advice and encouragement so far!

Hissy's post makes me a little concerned that the threesome may not get along together. (me = paranoid!) I guess all I can do is try. If the momcat needs a little space, maybe she can stay with my sister and her cats for a week as a vacation from the kids! Actually I work at home, so I can probably keep the kids distracted so that they don't irk the mom too much once she starts getting grumpy. Also, I can give the momcat lots of affection and "personal time" while the kids are playing. Maybe that will help?

It's kind of strange that they're not fully weaned yet, don't you think? According to my research, by eight weeks they should be almost wholly dining on regular kitten meals. I guess like Angel says, it's probably going to happen soon. The foster mom seems determined that the weaning can't occur unless the momcat is completely separated from the kids. She's probably right, I'm sure she knows more about this than I do!

Oh, I'm just worried about everything. Worried and excited! I've never helped raise kittens before and I don't want to mess 'em up or make the momcat unhappy.

BTW, I've read about "Comfort Zone" here -- the plug-in for Feliway (which I've never used either). Do you think this might be a good idea for newcomers? Has anyone used it?

If anyone has other suggestions please do let me know! Thanks a million, guys.