HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG?
How old should a kitten be when it goes to a new home?
by Barbara C. French
First printed in CATS Magazine, February 2000. Reprinted with permission.
Maisie Henshaw* (*name changed to protect identity) had only been breeding Ragdolls for almost two years, and had produced her second litter. She was approached by a nice young couple who wanted a kitten, but they objected to her policy of selling kittens at twelve weeks of age.
They were concerned the kitten would not bond with them. They pointed to newspaper ads advertising kittens ‘ready to go’ at six or eight weeks. “I let them talk me into it,” sighs Wilkins. “I sold kittens at twelve weeks because that’s what everyone else seemed to be doing. I didn’t really know why.” She relented and let one of the kittens go to its new home at seven weeks of age.
The kitten was returned at ten weeks, weighing less than it had when it had gone to its new home three weeks before. The owners complained that the kitten had the sniffles and chronic diarrhea and wasn’t using the litterbox.
It hadn’t settled in with their resident cat, and the kitten spent much of its time hiding under the couch. “They said they’d never get a purebred cat again, because obviously they’re not healthy,” Maisie relates.
With veterinary care and a lot of TLC, the kitten was back on its paws in a few weeks. Maisie waited until this kitten was almost six months old before placing it again.
The kitten’s problems had nothing to do with its heritage.
“Kittens should leave their homes at a minimum age of twelve weeks,” says Dr. Betsy Arnold, DVM, a veteran Siamese breeder and veterinarian with an all-feline practice in Rochester, New York called Caring for Cats. “In my practice I have seen kittens coming in at six and seven weeks who weight twelve, maybe fourteen ounces. These are infants. They needed to stay with their mothers.”
Twelve weeks may seem old to people accustomed to seeing newspaper ads advertising kittens who are “ready to go” at six or eight weeks of age. Most of us who have had cats have acquired kittens that young.
They are cute at that age, and most people enjoy having such young kittens to watch them grow. However, we may permanently harm kittens by separating them from their mothers so early.
There are crucial mental, emotional, and developmental milestones that a kitten experiences between six and twelve weeks of age. Separating the kitten from mother, siblings, and familiar surroundings at that age can cause undue anxiety and stress at the least, and serious medical problems or even death in the very worst cases.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF EARLY SEPARATION
Problems with immunity and health
The main concern with early separation of kittens from their mothers is the vulnerability of their developing immune systems between eight and twelve weeks of age.
During this critical period, kittens are transitioning from immunity provided by their mother’s milk to immunity from vaccination, making them more susceptible to illness such as upper respiratory problems and diarrhea.
Vaccinations against common viruses are typically administered at six, nine, and twelve weeks, with immunity taking up to ten days to become effective.
Neglecting to provide second boosters can have serious consequences, as seen in a case where a kitten contracted rhinotracheitis and exposed other cats to the virus, resulting in illness and loss of life.
Breeders emphasize the importance of keeping kittens until they are four to five months old to ensure their health and well-being.
Studies suggest that vaccinating at six weeks might be too early, with some cats not developing lasting immunity until 16 weeks of age. Additionally, the timing of when a kitten is ready to leave may vary depending on the individual cat or breed.
Overall, it is best to allow kittens to receive their entire first shot series, including boosters, in familiar surroundings, and ensure they are of sufficient size and physical maturity before they are ready to be separated.
Problems with eating and eliminating
Dr. Arnold emphasizes that weaning is a gradual process, rather than a sudden event. Kittens transition from nursing to eating solid food gradually, with their mothers guiding them through the process.
Mothers typically stop allowing kittens to nurse naturally between eight to twelve weeks, teaching them to cope with frustration and denial.
Rosi Carroll of Bengals by RoJon supports this, noting that her kittens often continue to nurse at nine or ten weeks without issues when transitioning to their new environment.
This gradual approach is crucial, as too-young kittens may experience difficulties with eating solid food and using the litterbox consistently. Diarrhea can also be a concern due to changes in diet and stress.
It’s essential to ensure a gradual weaning process to prevent behavioral problems and health issues in young kittens.
Problems with socialization and behavior
Ann Segrest of Kiriki Korats dispels the myth that older kittens won’t bond with their new humans, emphasizing that cats do not need to establish a “pack” hierarchy like dogs.
Separating kittens from their mothers at a young age can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as dependency on humans, fearfulness, and neuroticism.
Proper socialization with their mother and siblings between four to fourteen weeks old is crucial for kittens to learn how to interact with other cats and recognize cat body language.
Exposure to a variety of people during this time is also important to prevent fearfulness towards certain individuals. Marj Baker, a Manx breeder, and Deborah Feldham of Glendoveer’s Abyssinians share their experiences with orphaned kittens who exhibited behavioral issues due to early separation from their mother.
They stress the importance of kittens spending time with their mothers and siblings to learn essential life lessons that contribute to their overall happiness, health, and confidence.
June Abbott Colwell of Velpaws Siamese highlights that kittens taken away too young may develop behavioral issues and lack tolerance and self-assurance compared to older kittens.
THE KITTEN AT TWELVE WEEKS
At twelve weeks of age, most kittens are weaned or nearly fully so, have had adequate socialization with mother and siblings, have received their full series of kitten shots, and have gotten through the critical immune system “kick-over” period.
Properly handled and socialized by people, these kittens have learned to explore their world and will meet it with a happy, outgoing confidence that will carry them throughout their lifetime. This may vary from cat to cat, or breed to breed.
The important thing to remember is this: it should be the kitten’s current and future well-being that drives the decision of age to place, not finances or a simple desire to have a younger kitten for whatever reason.
Kittenhood is a fleeting time. You will have a kitten only for a short time, but the cat may be with you for many years to come.
You may find it personally disappointing to allow a kitten an extra month or two with its mother when you had hoped to have it earlier, but it will make a world of difference to the mental, emotional, and physical health to the kitten throughout its entire life.
If you are searching for a pet through a shelter, you may not have an option. If you are getting a kitten through an acquaintance or through a breeder, insist on at least twelve weeks for the kitten’s health. You will have a healthier, happier, and better socialized feline friend because of it.
Are you interested in adopting a Sphynx kitten? Then, learn more about the sphynx breed, including information on Declawing your kittens.