separating the kitten from mom

4 kittens 5 weeks on fri

I know it's early to adopt them out but they live outside where it's unsafe.Especially since I live in an apartment. One of them,the calico in the pic, seems very likely to be adopted because she gets excited when I bring out the food and gobbles it up.But,she still nurses.Maybe because she's hungry and has the opportunity to fill her stomach.Can she still be adopted fri?Another one might be ready.She is eating the food but not gobbling it up so fast.The biggest one,grey
would be ready if he wasn't so timid to come out..Lastely a small kitten only nurses so that one and the grey will have to wait a week.

These kittens are just babies. From the picture, their eyes haven't even changed from their baby blue yet! Please, at the very least, let them stay with Mom until they're actually eating a substantial amount of solid food. None of them sound "ready" at all. Even if you keep them another week, they will still be too young - they haven't learned many of the things their Mom has to teach them, things that will make them better pets, and their immune systems are so fragile they could easily get sick if they're moved to another home.

Would it be possible for you take all 3 kittens in and foster them for another 2 weeks before adopting them to their new homes?

Do the people that are adopting these kittens have other cats in the home?

Yes, it is common for rescues to take kittens away from mom before the ideal time of 10-12 weeks if mom is feral and the kittens need to be socialize. However, kittens are not adopted out at this time. The kittens need to remain together for several more weeks so that they can learn proper play/cat skills.

I have 3 cats of my own indoors.I have no room for anymore and one has ibd.The people that want one do not have cats of there own.Her first litter the kittens eyes were blue-older than 5 weeks.I took in a kitten at assumingly 5 weeks.She was found in a hole.I brought in a 3 month old kitten when she was 1.They play together.Yes,I will wait another week and hope nothing happens to them.A different cat had a litter and one of them was caught in a cars engine,another run over.
The other one I took in Maggie.Cat sleeping with her,Peaches

I would try to convince (actually, I would insist) those interested in adopting to take more than 1 kitten since they do not have other cats. Emphasize that this important to the kittens' development and behavior. This will help prevent aggressive kittens that bite or that have other behavioral issues related to being separated early on.

There are plenty of threads on here that were started as a result of kittens having behavioral problems due to lack of socialization with other cats/kittens early on.

Also, it is quite normal for kittens to retain their blue eyes to 7-8 wks of age.

maggie101 said:

 
I have 3 cats of my own indoors.I have no room for anymore and one has ibd.The people that want one do not have cats of there own.Her first litter the kittens eyes were blue-older than 5 weeks.I took in a kitten at assumingly 5 weeks.She was found in a hole.I brought in a 3 month old kitten when she was 1.They play together.Yes,I will wait another week and hope nothing happens to them.A different cat had a litter and one of them was caught in a cars engine,another run over.

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I agree with CatPack.   With outside living semiferales ist quite common to take and adopt the kittens earilier than the usual 10-12 weeks.  To lessen the risks as you say, and also, at these ages they are much easier to foster and socialize completely..

So you must find some nice balance...  Unless these adopters are willing to put in work and effort with caretaking etc...

Could you  talk over these cat-less people to adopt TWO of them?  It will be easier both for them and for the kittens.   The kittens will have somebody to play with, chase, wrestle... Keep each other company when they are out and about, working perhaps or taking an evening off.

Tx a lot for caring!

Good luck!

"At least the calico and one of the white/grey/brown-I am pretty sure.They are eating out of a can.I need to watch them daily to see how they're progressing.I know I should wait longer so the mom can teach them manners but they are outside where it's unsafe.It may be true because my 2 yr old which I took in at 5 weeks is aggressive sometimes.One of the kittens is very small and nursing more than others so she/he will take longer to adopt.I am not sure about the grey kitten because he is timid.Please respond.I will start posting pics at different places soon!"

this is what I wrote to them yesterday.I will mention to them to take in 2 kittens.I do not want to wait to adopt 2 of them because of safety issues but from what I've read I should.

Laura

Peaches 5 weeks found in a hole.No longer aggressive since she's 2 yrs

I am going to wait til next friday since they are just licking their food.A neighbor of mine I have known for 2 years wants to take in the grey tabby but she cannot take 2.She has a small shy dog that likes cats.My neighbor brings him over to her friends house that has cats.The neighbor I have known for 2 years wants the grey tabby .He is very timid.Does that mean he's better off having another kitten with him or will he be ok by himself and a small timid dog?My friend is already talking about putting up shelves and a scratching post. It will be awesome to have one kitten taken care of even though he'll only be 6 weeks.Hopefully nothing happens between now and then

Laura

maggie101 said:

 
.A neighbor of mine I have known for 2 years wants to take in the grey tabby but she cannot take 2.She has a small shy dog that likes cats.My neighbor brings him over to her friends house that has cats.The neighbor I have known for 2 years wants the grey tabby .He is very timid.Does that mean he's better off having another kitten with him or will he be ok by himself and a small timid dog?My friend is already talking about putting up shelves and a scratching post. It will be awesome to have one kitten taken care of even though he'll only be 6 weeks.Hopefully nothing happens between now and then

Laura

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The ideal is surely a cat companion.  But if you cant get it all, you must contend yourself with half of it, and be happy it seems to be the better half of it.

I think this here will be superbt, one of the better solutions possible around.

Holding thumbs for next friday!