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How long should a kitten stay with its mother?

post #1 of 11
4/26/10 at 6:48pm
Thread Starter 
I'm just wondering how long the kittens should stay with their mother?
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post #2 of 11
4/26/10 at 6:50pm
I was told for a well socialized cat it should be 10 -14 weeks. They learn a lot from their mothers.
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post #3 of 11
4/26/10 at 7:15pm
I say 12-16 weeks although my Wrinkles was 11 weeks when I got her.
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post #4 of 11
4/26/10 at 9:27pm
The absolute minimum is 8 weeks but ideally a kitten should stay with its mom until he's at least 12 weeks. Kittens need much more from their moms than just milk, contrary to popular belief, so the longer the kitten stays with mom the better.
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post #5 of 11
4/27/10 at 12:02am
At least 10-12 weeks, can be longer depending on the individual kittens development.
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post #6 of 11
4/27/10 at 9:42am
The IDEAL age is 10-12 weeks minimum. Why?

1. Kittens will nurse up to 8 weeks old.
2. They really are not reliable with the litter pan under 12 weeks old.
3. They need more social time with mom/siblings to be mentally and physically ready to leave.
4. Many kitten problems are due to kittens being taken too soon. Most of these social and some physical problems can be avoided by leaving them with mom longer.

Reputable breeders keep their kittens for 3-4 months, give all shots and spay/neuter before you take them home. Kittens adjust quicker in a home at 3 or 4 months old too.
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post #7 of 11
4/27/10 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Charlie was born at home, I saw him growing up. Charlie's mom was very kind and we were very close, but Charlie was really aloof. Everytime I touched him, he would ran away, I don't know why. I didn't harm him, I didn't do anything bad. But I'm thankful that he trust me now!
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post #8 of 11
4/27/10 at 6:56pm
Cats are so unpredictable - we've had Ling since the day she was born (last of the barn cat litters) and her and the siblings were brought into the house at 5-6 weeks old (we handled them in the barn every day).

Miss Ling is not an overly friendly cat and she decides when you can pick her up and how long you can hold her. If she ever got away from us (outside), we'd never catch her as she doesn't even come to you in the house! And she's not one to be bribed by food either!
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post #9 of 11
4/28/10 at 9:07pm
In my experience it varies a lot. We've had kittens apart from their mother as early as 8 weeks and clinging to them as late as almost 5 months. Generally I'd just let the mom and kitten let you know. Playing it safe, I'd say 10 weeks minimum.
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post #10 of 11
4/29/10 at 6:39pm
Thread Starter 
Charlie also has a mood swing, he sometimes don't want me to pick him up
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post #11 of 11
4/29/10 at 6:57pm
We got Smudge from his breeder at about 4 1/2 months. He was amazingly well adjusted with a lot of confidence right from the moment he got home.
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