When can I "safely" give the

kittens- kitten food and wean them from formula?My Vet said since they aren't with Mom and haven't been,that I could place them at 6 weeks old in new homes.I think that is too early,I was thinking about 7-8 weeks would be MUCH better.And if they aren't eating kitten food (dry) by then, I would wait until they are.What do you all think?
Also, I am asking $10 for them with the understanding and agreement that the new owner would have them spayed/neutered when they were old enough. Does that sound pretty good?
Thanks for any advice.

What I would do is what the lady that I got Kirra from did, as far as the spay neuter goes. Find a low cost place and tell the adoptive parents that they have to prepay for the spay/neuter if the kitty is not old enough at the time. This way you are sure they will take them back. I had to do that. The lady thought Kirra was 9 weeks +/- a week but when she dropped her to be spayed they said she wasnt even 2#'s so I was allowed to bring her home ONLY after i payed the clinic in advance the 40 bucks for shots/spay/chip. 3 weeks later she went back, i was not about to be out 40 bucks lol.

So that would be one suggestion. As for introducing food, do mushy food at first see if they want it, but still formula feed as well (make the mushy with formula instead of water too if you want). I would suggest taking it slow, 6 weeks is way to young in my opinion to go to a new home, especially if they go alone ( no litter mate). Kirra came to me at 7 weeks but that was due to mis information on age to the lady that had her. I would say closer to 10 weeks, this way they are also close to spay/neuter ability and you can garentee no more kits by dropping them at the low cost clinic to be spayed/neutered and the new owner pays for the proceedure when picking the kit up.

Just a thought.

Is there any way you can get them all altered at a low cost clinic and then charge a little more to make up for it?

Here's what I would do:

1. At around 4-5 weeks (I can't remember how old your kittens actually are...they do look quite young, though), begin making a KMR/formula porridge for them...mixing up their regular formula with increasingly large portions of wet kitten food. Once they've taken to this, decrease the amount of formula gradually, until they're eating wet kitten food. Once they've mastered this, you can begin to leave amounts of dry kitten kibble out for them, if you like. By about 6-7 weeks, they should all be eating real kitten food...remember, wet food is better than dry!
2. Take them all in one big hoard to a low-cost spay/neuter clinic and have them done BEFORE they are adopted out, at approximately 8 weeks of age...this way, you are absolutely ensuring that they will not contribute to the problem of over-population. If you adopt them out before they're fixed, there is NO WAY for you to ensure that their new owners will take care of it with 100% certainty.
3. Don't adopt out before they are 10 weeks of age...12 weeks is even better. Although they may be eating solids and litter-trained...there is a period of socialization that needs to happen before kittens are truly ready.
4. For a fee, I would charge no less than $20.00 per kitten. If someone doesn't want to pay this fee, then apparently they're not too terribly concerned with the expenses that follow (food, veterinary care, supplies, etc.) the animal throughout his or her life. There is no such thing as a "free kitten"...all pets have their expenses, from vaccination, food, litter, medical treatment, toys, etc. BE LEARY OF ANYONE LOOKING FOR A FREE KITTEN!!! If you're adopting out animals that are already spayed and neutered, why shouldn't the adoptee pay a fee for the animal? Trust me, in the grand scheme of things, $20.00 for a spayed/neutered/wormed/hand-raised kitten is a GREAT DEAL!

Hope this helps!

Unfortunatly our Vet T.R.A.C.S will NOT spay/neuter before they are 12weeks old.I feel like I'm depriving these kits somewhat.They are stuck in the garden tub for the most part.I let them out for about 2 hours during the day.I have to lock up Blaze,Neela,and Corwin and they are stressing out BIG TIME!!! They aren't use to being locked away.
I can't let the kits roam in the bathroom for fear they may get hurt on something in there,even though I have kitty proofed it.So, I let them roam in the kitchen while I keep a close eye on them and my daughter helps me.We sit and play with them.
There is a lady about 30 minutes from me that wants to look at both girls and possibly take them both.If she agrees to take both, would it be o.k. to let them go at 8 weeks old?
I will do what is best for them.That is why I need any and all advice from you guys.
For spay/neuter it is $47 for spays and I "think" $37 for neuters.I've only owned females.So, $20 for that,shots,wormings---I think is a bit too low.

Originally Posted by crittermom

Unfortunatly our Vet T.R.A.C.S will NOT spay/neuter before they are 12weeks old.I feel like I'm depriving these kits somewhat.They are stuck in the garden tub for the most part.I let them out for about 2 hours during the day.I have to lock up Blaze,Neela,and Corwin and they are stressing out BIG TIME!!! They aren't use to being locked away.
I can't let the kits roam in the bathroom for fear they may get hurt on something in there,even though I have kitty proofed it.So, I let them roam in the kitchen while I keep a close eye on them and my daughter helps me.We sit and play with them.
There is a lady about 30 minutes from me that wants to look at both girls and possibly take them both.If she agrees to take both, would it be o.k. to let them go at 8 weeks old?
I will do what is best for them.That is why I need any and all advice from you guys.

For spay/neuter it is $47 for spays and I "think" $37 for neuters.I've only owned females.So, $20 for that,shots,wormings---I think is a bit too low.

Click to expand...

Here is what I would do...if the woman decides she wants the girls..then have her pay the spay fee for when the kittens reach 12 weeks of age (set up the appt with her). Then get her information...if she does not follow up with the spay, I would get the kittens back.

Katie

Because they are not with mom, I would strongly recommend you not place them till between 3 and 4 months old. You want to be sure they are eating solid food well, using the litter pan, and letting them socialize with each other longer.

IMO the vet is wrong suggesting they go to new home at 2 months old or less! Most of my kittens (barn or pedigree) were just learning how to eat at 6-7 weeks and were no where near ready (physically/emotionally) to go to a new home.

My babies are 5 weeks old today.I'm GUESSTIMATING!!!
So, I will try and get them interested in the porrage again.I tried it before we lost our little girl, but stopped for fear they weren't getting enough of what they needed.I will offer the formula,the pedialyte, and the porrage also.
Thanks for the advice about placing them.I will be sure to talk to her about the paying for the spays up front!