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i John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images Ready to find a home for a few kittens? Separating mom from kittens is a bit heartbreaking -- probably more for you than her. Knowing when to do it -- and how to avoid chaos and freaking out the kittens -- is key to making the transition easy for everybody. Step 1Wait until the kittens are at least 8 weeks old. By this time, they're still very adorable -- and as a result very adoptable -- but strong enough to move away from mom. If you're dealing with feral or stray kittens, the rules are different. Taken them away from mom at a younger age -- 5 or 6 weeks -- before they learn to run away from humans as soon as they see them. Feral kittens learn early on that people are the enemy -- and by then, good luck catching them. Step 2Socialize the kittens as young as possible. This means touching them, grabbing them, petting them and picking them up. This is especially important to get them used to people and make them adoptable. They will also be a lot easier to catch and take away if they already know you, rather than seeing you for the first time when you're ready to take them away. Step 3Wait until mom moves away from the kittens. If she's living on her own, she will have to go look for food at some point. If she's not leaving, offer a bowl of food a couple of feet away from where the kittens are staying. Then wait -- you might need to hide while you wait -- until she goes for the food, then go take the kittens. Mom won't move too far? Just go ahead and try to grab the kittens anyway when she's distracted. Step 4Start a slow separation process if you can handle the kittens regularly. Once kittens are about 4 weeks, you can start offering them food "on the side" so they're not completely dependent on mom's milk. Don't give kittens cow's milk -- it causes diarrhea -- but instead look for kitten milk replacer, which you can buy at vet clinics. Just a tiny bowl of milk replacer once a day will get the kittens used to you and other food. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion. References Tips
Writer Bio Tammy Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications including Woman's Day, Marie Claire, Adirondack Life and Self. She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College. Many people prefer to adopt a kitten so they can get used to living in their new home from a young age. However, before separating a kitten from their mother we must take certain factors into consideration so they can have the best physical and psychological development. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain how soon kittens can leave their mother, as well as the reasons behind this time frame. Continue reading to find out more! Contents
How soon can kittens leave their mother?The best time to separate a kitten from their mother and siblings is when they are 12-13 weeks old. This is because they will need to stay with their mother to feed on her nutritious milk, as well as stay with their siblings to learn valuable social skills. This way, we make sure that the kittens will have the best physical and physiological development possible. Why we should not separate a kitten prematurelyTo truly understand why it is not good to separate a kitten from their mother too soon, it is essential to review some basic aspects of a young feline's growth: Breastfeeding kittens is essential for their proper developmentOnce kittens are born they will be breastfeeding from their mother for about one month. This milk has all the nutrients and minerals that kittens need to properly develop and physically grow. In some cases, when the mother isn't present, the kittens will need a special milk formula to replace their mother's milk. However, this is never ideal. For more information about this formula, ask your local veterinarian. The importance of kitten socializationAnother important aspect is socialization with their mother and siblings. This is a very important time for kittens to socialise and learn how to interact with different people, animals and environments. The socialization period helps them become stable and happy adult cats. This is why it's best to adopt them after they have had the opportunity to learn important social skills from their family.
Tips for separating a cat from their motherFrom 4 weeks of age your keep will begin weaning, this is when they will begin to transition into eating solid food. To learn more about this period, we encourage you to also check out our article on weaning kittens. Nevertheless, during this period they will continue to need and depend on their mother. It's not until they are 8 weeks old that they will begin to eat solid food exclusively and on a regular basis. Once the kitten is two months old, we can offer them a variety of solid foods, combining wet and dry food. Learn more on our article about the best diet for cats. During these first months the kitten will also be learning valuable social skills by interacting with their care givers, siblings and mother. Lastly, once the kitten is 12-13 weeks old, they will be ready to be adopted as they will not suffer any nutritional deficiencies nor psychological traumas. This is because by this age the both the mother and kitten will understand that they are now growing up and independent. With that being said, taking care of a kitten takes lots of time and patience as they require lots of attention. We encourage you to check out our article about caring for kittens to learn more. As they grow, you'll begin to litter train them, play with them and socialise them with new people, animals and different environments. Remember to also take them to the veterinarian for their regular check-ups and keep up with their vaccination schedule. If you enjoyed this article and found it useful, we also encourage you to watch our video on how to care for a kitten. If you want to read similar articles to How Soon can Kittens Leave their Mother?, we recommend you visit our What you need to know category. Is it OK to give kittens away at 7 weeks old?It is a common misconception that kittens can be separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks old. However, kittens separated at this time are still at risk for developmental, social, and health issues. Instead, kittens should remain with their mothers until they are 12-14 weeks old.
Can a kitten leave its mother at 4 weeks?A kitten generally shouldn't leave his mother's care before he's 8 weeks old. Pet lovers who must care for a 4-week-old kitten without the aid of a momma cat should pay special attention to keeping the kitten warm, fed properly and healthy through quality vet care.
Is it OK to take a kitten at 8 weeks?Eight weeks is a milestone age for kittens. They should weigh about two pounds, which means they're ready to be spayed and neutered! They're also fully weaned (you're done with bottle feeding) and look more like adult cats. It's a good time to start looking for their adoptive homes.
What happens if a kitten is weaned too early?In laboratory animals, early weaning increases the risk for aggression, anxiety, and stereotypic behaviour. However, very few studies have focused on early weaning in one of the world's most popular pets, the domestic cat, although weaning soon after the critical period of socialisation is common practice.
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When can you separate a kitten from its mother
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