5 week old kittens

Hi everyone,

I posted here awhile back about adopting a kitten or adult cat. I decided to wait a while until I found the right kitten.

A week ago, my friend found four stray kittens. My friend kept them and has been caring for them around the clock for a week. He's getting exhausted and wants to find them new homes asap. He is keeping one and two already have great homes waiting for them. He didn't have much luck with a rescue, and a lot of the shelters around here euthanize. They've been to the vet, but haven't been tested for anything. Last week, the vet estimated that they were 4 weeks old.

He asked me to take one, and I would like to, but naturally have a lot of concerns before I decide.

1) We have an almost adult cat. He's actually my boyfriend's cat. My boyfriend has never vaccinated him for FeLV or FIV because he is inside only and has never been around other cats. However, he would get him vaccinated if we keep the kitten.

How to I handle this? How soon would a vaccine protect him in the event that the kitten is ill?

2) The kittens are still very young. I would prefer that my friend keep them together longer, but I don't think he wants to. They are eating, relieving themselves, and playing actively. Is it dangerous to separate them at 5 weeks?

3) What should I expect when I take the kitten to the vet?

4) How long should the kitten be kept quarantined from our other cat to prevent anything unsafe?

I know this might be controversial considering how young the kittens are. I could use any advice to help me make this decision. I'm already in love with this kitten, but I want to be responsible. Please help!

I am very concerned about the health of our first cat, which is why I posted this here instead of the strays folder. I can move it if this is the wrong place.

In an ideal world, 5 weeks is very young. But we don't live in an ideal world, and sometimes life hands us lemons.

We adopted a pair of kittens at 5 weeks many years ago, and they were great cats.

There are no truly effective vaccinations for the "big nasties," FIV and FELV. Others can tell you what you should do on that subject. I would do what the vet (that you trust!) recommends.

You'll want to protect the little guy from the adult cat. He could get injured, even accidentally. For that matter, you may want to put him somewhere where he can't fall, get stepped on, etc. We recommend a small room like a bathroom, where you can put a little litter pan (non-clumping litter for a kitten that young), food, and water. If you're going to put down dry food, get a kitten food. He needs the extra fat and protein.

Thanks. I've done a lot of reading about safety for the kitten. She will be staying in my bathroom for the first while. They would never be left alone. I was just wondering how long until I could let them meet safely.

I'm taking her to the vet Wednesday. I'm just really worried about the FIV and FELV for my other cat.

I would feel awful if I put our older kitten at risk for anything. I am so nervous, yet excited about this. I'm just hoping it all works out and she grows up to be a healthy, happy kitten in the long run. They had a rough start and my friend has done a great job taking care of them.

Have the kittens tested, but keep in mind the tests may not be 100% accurate at that age, due to some inherited immunities from mom.

When we got two 5-week-old kittens, we kept them in the kitchen and closed off the door with a barrier about two feet high. We kept them in there at night until they were able to get over the barrier.

Some adult cats love kittens. Our Flambe greets me at the door every time I go to the shelter, wanting to know if we brought him home a new kitten. They're the only playmates who will play as much as he wants to play.

Our other adults usually tolerate a kitten after about a week.