How Much Should I Handle the Kittens

ok.. another kitty question.. When kittens are young (mine is 8 weeks old) do they need to be held a lot, or need a lot of affection, sort of like a little baby?

Originally Posted by Ashe

ok.. another kitty question.. When kittens are young (mine is 8 weeks old) do they need to be held a lot, or need a lot of affection, sort of like a little baby?

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Ashe, I have taken the liberty of moving your post off on to it's own new thread so as not to jump off topic in this one, but the answer to your question is this - the more you handle the babies the better socialized they will be when they go to their forever homes.

~gf~

thanks.... and btw thanks for the advice about the undercover toe mice problem. lol

Hey, no problemo! When ya got kittens in residence, I am here to tell ya, there ain't NUTHIN sacred, least of all toes! *wink*

~gf~

ok.. I hope you don't mind me asking a lot of dumb sounding questions, but this is my first cat, and I want to make his majesty as happy as possible

Not to worry, that's what we are here for - so you just ask all the questions you want.

~gf~

get them used to being picked up and held now when they are young, that way they wont squirm and struggle so much when they are huge 15lb monsters.

Pearl's "fab Five" are 7 days old...she doesn't like it at all when I touch the kittens...so I don't ...not much. She doesn't try to bite me or anything, but she definetly gets a tad agitated...and seems to try to draw them close to her, and lick and nuzzle them, which I love to watch!

They are so irresistable, and I can't help but want to give a little bit of extra help to the runt...you know, to find a good "spot"!

Is two weeks old too early to start "handling" them though?

I think the advice to introduce them to people and maybe even loud(ish) children is pretty good too...later of course.

So, when to start "socializing"?

ive handled my kittens since the first day they were born and my 4yr old daughter has stroked them since they were almost a week and held them since they are now 17days old mommy cat was always fine with us holding them i think its because i helped her give birth but she has looked abit stressed on occasions when ive held them and they have cried but she has had to learn we are not going to hurt them and now shes fine

I agree with handling from birth ... yes, Momma might get a little freaky about it, but this is normal. Don't let her intimidate you unless she is really in a defensive posture, ears back, hissing, warning growls. Just pick them up, put them right up into your face, kiss on them, blow gently on them, hold them next to your heart so they can feel your warmth and the vibrations of your heartbeat. It makes for much better socialized kittens when the time comes for them to go to their forever homes.

Hope this helps,

~gf~

Yup, it helps alot! Pearl deoesn't get intimidating, I can just tell she's...bothered when I touch her babies. But, she does trust me, and your advice is sensible and sensitive at the same time, thanks .

you could try distracting her with treats or a plate of food when you pet the babies.