When can a kitten be taken from a cat?

Kittens at an early age are very cute and adorable. Perhaps it is because of this that many who want to have a cat take them from their previous owners too soon. Often a kitten is separated from mother at the age of 5-7 weeks. There is an opinion that a kitten that has grown up will be much more difficult to get used to in a new home. But, if new owners often take too small a kitten out of ignorance, then experienced breeders sometimes simply strive to get rid of the animal as early as possible, without worrying about the consequences.

If you want to have a kitten, you need to know that even at 6 weeks these babies still really need the care of their mother. Experts say that the most suitable age for picking up a kitten is 12 weeks. At this age, the pet will be quite ready for the start of an independent life. If you pick it up earlier, it can harm the kitten. The interval from 6 to 12 weeks determines the further mental development of the animal. If you take it away from your mother during this period, and change the whole general situation, this will certainly lead to stress. In addition, the baby can get very sick or even die.

Health and Immunity

1. Just in the period from the 8th to the 12th week, the immunity of a small animal is actively developing. At this time, he loses the immunity that he received from the mother cat, and his own is only just beginning to develop. It is at this age that a kitten is more likely to develop diarrhea or a respiratory disease. During this period, kittens are supposed to take several vaccines, but immunity to diseases is formed only after some time. For it to develop, you need to wait about 10 days after vaccination. Prior to this, a kitten receives antibodies to certain diseases through breast milk. This age is also characterized by a transition to adult food, weaning. As a result, the transformation of the immune system begins, the kitten is most vulnerable to many diseases. If at this age one more stress is added - moving plus weaning, the risk of getting sick will increase. In addition, in a new place it can be attacked by various microorganisms that are pathogens.
2. At the 8th week of life, only the first part of the vaccinations is given. To immunity strengthened, re-vaccination is done. Sometimes the owners neglect this, but such an attitude can lead to the most sad consequences.
3. Studies have shown that most kittens that were weaned at the age of 8 weeks had health problems. Most likely, they were caused by additional stress due to excommunication from the cat and a change of place. It is much easier and more profitable for breeders to sell a small pet as early as possible so as not to feed him, not to devote time and attention to 4 months. But everyone who wants to get a kitten should know that it is too early. Such actions can lead to animal disease. In some cats, immunity to many diseases can develop later. They are given revaccination at an older age - at 16 weeks.
4. You can’t say the exact age at which a small pet is already able to start an independent life, and will normally tolerate a change of residence, as well as excommunication from the mother. Age differs depending on the individual characteristics of the animal, as well as on the breed.
5. From the foregoing, we can conclude that for the health of the pet, the best option would be to stay at home, where he is used to everything, during the period of vaccination and the formation of immunity. Do not rush, and sell a kitten immediately after the first vaccination.It is necessary to wait for the second vaccination, and before the final formation of immunity, some time should pass. It will be much easier to adapt to a stronger grown pet in a new house.

Feeding

It is important to remember that changing the way of eating is also stressful for a small pet. Therefore, the transition from cat's milk to adult food should take place gradually. Continuing to suck the cat’s milk, the kitten should begin to gradually eat adult food. Day after day, the amount of milk will decrease, and the amount of food will increase. As a result, they completely refuse milk. This usually occurs at 8 weeks.

Typically, cats stop feeding babies between about 8 and 12 weeks. This is the first real test and lesson for the baby. If the kitten does not receive such a life lesson from its mother, this may affect the behavior of the animal in the future. After all, the transition to normal nutrition is not only a physical phenomenon, but also a symbol of the beginning of an independent life for a pet. This process should go gradually and naturally. The kitten stops sucking milk at the age of 10 weeks. By this time, he was becoming more independent.

When a new owner picks up a small kitten, he first encounters poor appetite from his new pet. Another important issue is tray accustoming. After all, kittens that are 7-8 weeks old do not yet know how to use the tray.

Most often, this habit develops in them at the age of 10 weeks. When an animal moves to a new home, it experiences stress. In addition, his diet is changing. All of these factors often lead to diarrhea. If the pet is too small, severe diarrhea can even be fatal. After all, this always leads to dehydration, which affects even adult animals badly.

Adaptation Issues

People who want to have a kitten dream that he will grow before their eyes, get used to them and become attached to them. They believe that an older animal will no longer experience such tender feelings for them. But this is not so. Even if you purchase a kitten aged 12 weeks or more, it will perfectly establish a connection with the new owners. On the contrary, if he stays with the cat for longer, she will have time to give him as many life lessons as possible. A psychologically stable and strengthened animal will get used to the situation and new owners faster than a small and weak one.

If the pet was taken away from the mother very early, he will take the owner for a new mother. They may begin to suck on buttons or edges of clothing. Such actions, although they look very cute, can nevertheless lead to adverse psychological consequences for the pet. As a result, the animal will depend too much on the person. Left alone, they will be nervous, afraid. And if a stranger comes to the house, the cat will hide. Kittens will not understand how to behave with other cats. This can lead to problems if other animals are already in your house.

It is important to know that the rules of behavior are acquired by a kitten at the age of 4-14 weeks. Throughout this period, their mother teaches to explore the world around them. In the period from 2 to 14 weeks, learning the rules of behavior with their own kind. A kitten learns this by interacting with its mother and other kittens. They learn and learn to understand the language of feline movements. If you restrict communication with your mother earlier, then the pet will subsequently not have the skills to communicate with his brothers.

It is also important during this period, the communication of a small pet with people. Kittens must learn not to be afraid of strangers.

If you give the animal time to learn the rules of communication, in adulthood it will be more patient and calm.

12 weeks is the best time

Those who want to get a kitten need to know that the best age for this is 12 weeks.

1. At this age, the pet most likely has already stopped sucking milk, and has completely switched to normal food.
2. He was vaccinated, his immunity managed to form correctly.
3. At this age, he had already learned to communicate with his brothers.
4. I’m used to communicating with different people, learning new things, ready to adapt in a new house.

It is important for future owners to understand that this animal will live with you for many years. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of his physical and psychological health from the very beginning. This is more important than watching how a small, very weak animal is growing and developing before your eyes. It is at the age of 12 weeks that you will get a healthy, confident and independent pet, which will become your true friend.

Video: at what age to buy a kitten?