Kittens & Space

Is there any rule of thumb about how much free space to give kittens of various ages? I've read a number of times suggestions of confining them to small rooms such as the bathroom. Is that for younger kittens only? This is an active little guy who has had the run of the kitchen which was barricaded off. This weekend he finally succeeded in climbing the barricade and after letting him roam further in the house and seeing how he did, I gave him more freedom (living room and hallway) the past 24 hours. He actually seems happier to not be contained and I also think less aggressive in play (we were having a lot of biting hands and pouncing on our feet). He went back to his bed and slept there all night.

He's about five weeks now and will be moving to a permanent home in about two weeks time . I wanted to check on this to make sure there aren't some problems that could come with this that I'm not forseeing.

I confine until they are 100% on the litterbox, then they get one room.
Once they can climb a baby gate I give them the whole house.

I took my girl home from the shelter at about 8 weeks old. She was box trained, so I gave her the run of the house right away, as she was a NO FEAR kitten - tail straight up in the air, she ventured into every nook & cranny and thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Then again, she's an only child, I mean kitten, so I had no worries about interaction.

I only have about 675 sq ft so I never confined Zissou at all. She took to the scratching post and the litter pan like a duck to water, no training at all aside from showing her what they were and what to do with them.
At first she wasn't allowed in the two bedrooms cause she was covered in fleas, but once that was taken care of, about 3 days, she went anywhere. She was 2 1/2 months.
I would say the kitten would be fine with how you have it set up (kitchen, living room, hallway) for now, since he's leaving in two weeks anyway (awwwww). Then again, you might have no way to keep him in there!

Our two went in the box right away, when we got them at around 7 weeks old. We kept them in a bedroom for a day or two until we felt they were used to being in their new home, but after that, they had the run of the house. I think it's good for them to be socialised early and not restricted to a bathroom, for example, but with a tiny 5 week old kitten, I'd probably keep it out of areas that it could get stuck or lost in.

Thanks. He's doing great with the litter box. I wouldn't mind if he cleaned up his behind better but without a mama cat to show him that, that's a job for baby wipes, I guess. He'd been checking out the barricade for awhile now and on Sunday while we were scrambling around *out there* getting ready, he decided being stuck in the kitchen alone was no fun at all and after poking his head above the boxes and looking around, he pushed for the summit.

Steuben is 10 weeks, and still remains primarily in the bathroom, and is let out every 2 hours of so to socialize with the dogs, and 2 adult cats. During his 2 hours, he gets full run of the living room, my son's room, our bedroom, and the bathroom. He's a bit rough with my adult pair of cats, Fergus and Ripley. He has not yet learned to play nice, and is QUITE a hand-biter. I know this will improve once he's neutered. He's a pistol, and is keeping every species in our home on their toes!

Dozer's about 7 weeks now, and he sleeps in HIS room at night (scratching post, food, toys, litter box etc are in there.) He's also in there when he's just too rambunctios in the main rooms. We spend a lot of time in our second bedroom, so when we're in there, he's in there with the door closed. If we're in the living room then he has full run of the living room, hallway, and kitchen. (We close off our back bedrooms) If we're in the office, then he stays on the desks, or in our laps.

Originally Posted by Pippen

He's about five weeks now and will be moving to a permanent home in about two weeks time

. I wanted to check on this to make sure there aren't some problems that could come with this that I'm not forseeing.

Click to expand...

Is there a specific reason he is going to his new home at only 7 weeks old?

We're leaving on an out-of-state trip and have zero flexibility on timing (dad was just treated for 2nd bout with cancer/husband has zero flexibility jobwise for timing of trip). I could push back sending the kitten over a few days but I'd rather be here for those first transition days in case they have questions.

I've read here that it's preferable to keep them with their mamas until (I think) 11-12 weeks. This one is an orphan--does that go for them too?

I've read here that it's preferable to keep them with their mamas until (I think) 11-12 weeks. This one is an orphan--does that go for them too?

Click to expand...

In general....I would try to keep a kitten (whether orphaned or with a mom) until around 10-12 weeks. That provides him extra time with the litterbox and food in a location that is familiar to him. If you cannot keep him longer..then I would be available in case his new owner have questions.

Katie