how many people think that a kitten is ready to be sold at 6 or 8 weeks?

Question

i feel that it is a huge and damaging misconception that this is the correct age to sell a kitten.....
there are so many reasons not to sell them this young! for starters it can damage their health, physically and mentally.
it can affect how they socialize,
and it can create permanent behavioral problems.
at 6 weeks they are the equivalent to about a 2 year old human.....

does anyone else feel the same? i would like to try and encourage people to hold onto their kittens a little longer... to make sure they have a happier life.
if everyone in the country did this i think it would reduce the number of abandoned cats and ones in shelters.....
this would only happen if there was a law brought in for this. i think in America there is a law that the kitten must be at least 8 weeks, i think this is still too low.
do you think that 6 to 8 weeks is fine? that it is enough time for the cat to develop?
please read this article and then tell me your opinions:
http://www.ragdoll.com/ragdoll%20kittens%20going%20home.htm

i think 12 weeks is ideal. if not a bit longer. i got my last kitten at 15 weeks and he is a little softy! i think there is a difference.

thanks for your time everyone!

Answer 1

I completely agree with the OP.



Would you prefer an extra few weeks of cuteness in exchange for a lifetime of psychological damage? No responsible breeder I know lets her kittens go that young. They are not ready to leave their mother and siblings. This is less realistic at overflowing shelters of course, but breeders who care about the well-being of their cats do not let them go that young. Some people luck out, but more often than not, these kittens develop behavioral problems (i.e. biting, scratching and not understanding limits they would've learned from their mother and littermates).



I admit I was one of those people who wanted a young, cute kitten. But after much research and seeing the results for myself, I prefer a better-adjusted companion for the long run.



EDIT: Wanted to add that in an ideal world, responsible breeders (people who breed to advance the breed) should never let kittens go before they're properly weaned and socialized. Just like with people, there are always exceptions and you may end up with a properly socialized kitten who naturally still has a bad attitude, and a poorly socialized kitten who adjusts very well. But these are exceptions, and a new owner should go in knowing what they could expect.



Abandoned or abused kittens are a whole different story. Of course in that case, whatever is in the best interest of the cats should be done.

Answer 2

HI, I can only answer from experience of having a kitten at 7 weeks old!After bringing her home I purchased books on cats and kittens, only to discover that a kitten should be left with it's mother until between 10 to 12 weeks old, by which time they should be weaned by the mother, learned how to use a litter tray, begun feeding themselves and learning all the good things they need to know for when they become adult cats. i.e. when they too may become parents.

BUT, in the real world when humans are caring for them, I guess you should make a decision on the type of circumstances the kittens are born into, they maybe in danger of not fairing too well if left in the situation.

As for my kitten, she is now 10 and a half years old, very healthy and was neuted at an early age because I could not take care of kittens if she were to get pregnant, but she had a full life in and out of the house, these days she likes to sleep alot....but as for leaving her mum at 7 weeks old.....she still suckles on materials...and sometimes in her sleep...maybe dreaming of her mum! You must do what seam's for the best at the time.

Answer 3

I have heard of so many people who got very young kittens and had behavioural or health problems, especially when it was the only cat. 6 weeks of age is far too young - they are just too fragile. 8 weeks may be fine for some kittens - particularly if either very well socialised, accompanied by a litter mate or the new owner is very familiar with rearing kittens.



One of my cats came to me at 12 weeks old - she was still a tiny bundle of cute. The other was a little older. I have never had any of the health or behavioural problems that are associated with kittens taken from mothers too early. They are even sweet at the vets, easy to medicate, and I can even wash them without any teeth or claws making an appearance.

Answer 4

Although they are "so cute" when they are just so tiny, they are also a lot more work! I'd rather get one that's older, so they are better trained to use the litter box. :) I'd rather wait a few weeks and get a healthy pet.



There ARE laws about dogs in many states. Most say 8 weeks. I know in my area dogs have to be licensed and vaccinated, but cats don't. There should be more laws to protect cats and cat owners!

Answer 5

I usually foster mine until 12 weeks old. But I guess people think a smaller kitten is cuter, but you are right it's not good for them. I see it alot, people don't know they are ignorant and have no idea. I know when my kittens are ready to go because they no longer need me or their mother. Until then they aren't ready to go. Most cats keep nursing thier kittens until they are 10 weeks old, they just gradually wean them and eventually the kittens don't even want it. When you take them away too soon they still crave that mothering and you can't just replace it. They need to be with their mother to learn and grow and develop. Even if it's a human foster mom they still need that bottle and that cuddling and that mother love until they gain independence on their own. In their own time.. They also really need to be around their siblings to learn things.. like bite inhibition and social skills, they really do need that time. All the cats I've fostered have turned out great people are always amazed at how friendly, affectionate and gentle they are.. it's because they get that extra time with their mother/or me! and their siblings.

Answer 6

i have 4 cats all of them came to me at 6 weeks or younger through various reasons, and non have problems yet i had a older kitten many years ago that came from foster home and he had difficulty settling in as it was like we had re-homed an adult cat he was looking for his family. it all depends on where they are going. why can foster homes have them from young but new experienced homes can't. i have just re-homed a litter who went at 71/2 weeks old they were ready to go to new homes so they could bond with new Mommy's. the mother cat was ready for them to go also they were ragging her and had stopped relying on her for milk (she was out and about when they were 5 weeks old and wasn't really feeding them). i think if they are leaving a home that doesn't really care into a lovable new home why shouldn't they go at 6-8 weeks.

Answer 7

I don't know really ANYTHING about cats, so you are probably right, but on the weekend some man walked up to me and my partner and he was holding a baby kitten that was about 4 weeks old. My partner Nick said it was really cute and showed me. The man let Nick hold the kitten, and while we were cuddling her, the man walked away off the street and left her with us. So now we have a baby kitten. She is really tame and usually gentle. It is just when my dog goes near her that she gets freaked out. So i think that all kittens are different. But mine seems to be fine. She is eating well and plays all the time. She cuddles up to me and nudges her head up to my chin. I think she thinks im her mummy =)

Answer 8

no its twelve weeks because it takes that long to wean them of the mother's milk and on to solid food the reason is it gives the cat a better immune system and it becomes more emotionally balanced the longer its left with its mother and family

Dogs on the other hand its between six to eight weeks is usually fine as they bond in a different manner

Answer 9

I agree 12 weeks is ideal as at this age they are fully weaned and have been taught the essentials by their mum eg litterbox training, hunting and general life skills and also may be up to date on vaccinations.

Answer 10

A law like that would be silly, well- it would probably pass in Le Nanny State. We should be focused, rather, on the multitude of homeless, unhealthy and unwanted cats (and dogs) that are the product of people's disinterest in the proper care of their pets. Get them fixed, so they and their offspring don't die on the streets or are subjected to euthanasia. We're so irresponsible.

Answer 11

I don't allow my foster kittens to go unless they are 12 weeks. They need to be with other kittens to help them learn how to be cats.

Answer 12

I agree, 12 weeks or 3 months

never have taken a cat or dog that was less than 3 months, nor has anyone in my family or any friends I know.

Answer 13

I agree that they socialize better when they are older but most people find younger kittens so cute they cannot resist bringing it home when it is very small. I think as far as their physical health is concerned providing you take care of it it will be fine.

Answer 14

I dont think its right to take them at 6 weeks, id say 8 - 10 weeks, definitely not under 8 at all.

Answer 15

i once went to buy a kitten from a lady and her family, i came home with 8 instead LOL

Answer 16

yes i agree with you 100%. but i suppose people want that little kitten for as long as they can before they start to get board with it and treat it bad.

i got my two cats at 6 weeks much much to early but i basically save them other wise they would have end id up like there two brothers and 1 sister..sad very sad.

Answer 17

they say that cats can now see on 8 days,so it depends on the person to sell it or not..

Answer 18

12 weeks!! Mom still has some other lessons to teach them!!

Answer 19

i have better luck with getting them at 4 weeks after they start eating on there own

Answer 20

No way! Younger is better! We got our girl kitty at 2 months - she is a sweety!

Answer 21

no