Admin Table of Contents
Can I give kittens away at 8 weeks?
In general, try to wait until the kittens are weaned, about 8 weeks. Even if you’re hand-raising the kittens (no mother is around), you should still wait 8 weeks before giving them away.
How long can mom cat be away from kittens?
Kittens should ideally stay with Mum until they’re at least 12 weeks old.
Is it better to introduce a male or female kitten to a male cat?
Gender. Male (neutered) cats are generally believed to be more accepting of other cats, both male and female. Regardless of how you choose your new feline companion, introduce the newcomer slowly. Proper cat to cat introductions will go a long way toward ensuring harmony in your home.
Why do male cats steal kittens?
He is either playing with them, or he’s trying to help. And there’s no way to know which one it is until they (and he) are older. Some male cats (especially neutered ones) can make good nursemaids for kittens. Even when the kittens are not related to them.
When can kittens be separated from their mother?
Expect to separate the kittens from their mother when they are around 12 weeks old. While most kittens are weaned by 8-10 weeks, most experts recommend leaving kittens with their littermates until 12-13 weeks, so they can be properly socialized.
Why would a mother cat abandon her kitten?
If the mother has no experience and she is stressed because of lack of food or frightening experiences can cause her to abandon one or all of the kittens. If the cat is feral, handling the kittens can cause the mother to abandon them especially if they are afraid of people. In some rare circumstances, a cat might kill one or more of her kittens.
What age should you adopt a kitten?
Shelters will generally adopt out kittens from the age of 10+ weeks, once they have had their vaccinations and are old enough, weigh enough to have been desexed. Most breeders keep kittens until they are 12 weeks of age. Some will be kept until 16 weeks, especially the oriental type breeds such as Siamese .
What to do if you find stray kittens?
Place the kittens in a small box lined with blankets or towels and keep them in a room separate from other pets. Kittens can easily become chilled, so place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or a heating pad on low temperature in the box.