Sunday, August 2, 2009

When are kittens ready to be adopted?

My mom's cat had kittens about 6-7 weels ago. She is begining to wean them. I heard that if you seperate kitten too early that they will go through seperation anxiety. Is this true? If it is when should we put them up for adoption?
Answers:
It is true that kittens seperated too early from their mother and litter mates can develope behavior problems. They learn very important lessons from their mother at this time. The earliest they can be adopted is 8 weeks, but many, my vet included, believe it is better to wait until they are between 10-12 weeks.
Kittens learn most things about life and how to behave in their first 16 weeks of life. During this time it is important they be socalized and exposed to common things they may run into in their new home. This includes small children (supervised), dogs, loud noises, a crate, the vet, car rides, everything.
I would start looking for homes now, but do not let the new owners take the kittens until 8-12 weeks old.
Yes, it's true; I'd adopt the kittens no earlier than 10 to 12 weeks, depending on their size. By that time, they'll be fully weaned, and will have mastered the litter box, so that prospective owners won't have to contend with that, but still cute ;-)
The pet stores normally take kittens at about 8 weeks. I still think that is too young. I would wait until they are 10 weeks. People can come and look at the kitties, and you can put tiny collars on the ones that are spoken for. I just think it's better to wait. Go get momma spayed!
earliest 8 weeks, preferably 12 weeks
well we got our kittens when they were around 7 wk old BUT i think thts the minimum age they can be adopted x
You could put them up for adoption right now, but say that they can't take them until they're 8-weeks-old, if that's when you feel it's safe.
The time that kittens are usually adopted out is generally around the 6 to 8 weeks mark.
I got my kittens when they were 6-weeks-old and they never experienced any seperation anxiety, maybe it's because I took both the brother and the sister. They just adopted me as their new mommy.
Edited to say: Before anyone says anything mean about my kittens only being six-weeks-old, they were weaned already and they were using the litterbox. They were big enough to be taken away already, though I gave though I gave them milk substitute for a little while after.
Wait untill they dont need their mother anymore, then put them up for adoption ((or just keep them!))
Not separation anxiety. They need the socialization with the litter. Did the mom get tested?
At 2 lbs they can be spayed/neutered and "adopted"
Let mom wean them herself as she sees fitm nature does know best - they should be adopted out when alll their shots have been done at 8, 10 and 12 weeks. If they haven;t had them there can be problems.
When I got my kitten, there was another kitten with a huge suckling problem. hat's just one possible problem from seperating them too young from mom and it will never go away, it was a cute kitten but I am not up for dealing with that as I know there will be other problems too.
Seperation anxiety is a falacy about kittens. Felines are the most adaptable creatures on four legs. 8 weeks is the best time as by then they will have , or should have, been given the first shots and wormed. At this age they lose the natural immunity that the mothers milk has and should be taken to the vet for the regular shots and worming.
Cats can also get heart worm. Is your cat an outdoor cat?
Please consider spaying the mother too. cats have become the # one killer of the natural habitat of squirrels, snakes, rats, mice, and any thing that crawls or moves. They devastate the environment of the natural eco-system.
Wait until ther 9-12 wks. Yes some go through seperation anxiaty. so wait till there at least 9 wks! Good LucK!

No comments:

Post a Comment