When can I take wild kittens from their mother?

Question

On Aug 11 I found 2 dead kittens in my patio. Part of the embilicle cord was still attached. The mother is nursing 2 other kittens in a secluded area of the patio, and I would like to take them as indoor pets when they are old enough to be taken from her.
I have read that kittens need to be with their mother for 6 or 7 weeks before separation. I don't know much about cats, but at that age I would think that they could climb the wooden patio fence and go their own way.
I have also read that if they are with the mother for 8 weeks they do not make good pets.
So my question is: at what age should I catch the kittens? and should I try to socialise with them before catching them? when and how should I socialise?
I put food and fresh water every day for mama, and she is not at all spooked by my being 3 or 4 feet from the nest. I have deliberately made no attempt to get any closer.
Thank you for your answer. I hope it will help me with the "adoption" process.
Harold.

Answer 1

between
seven and eight weeks of age

Answer 2

Well, what you're reading wrong and posts below are wrong.

First of all, here's a development calendar to help you out.

http://www.purrinlot.com/kittenbirthcalendar.htm

Kittens need to nurse AT LEAST 8 weeks with mommycat, and ideally she should decide when to wean them. In the best of all worlds, the kittens stay with mommy until 12 weeks because not only does she wean between 8-12 weeks (usually) she teaches them a lot of other things, as well.

Since it sounds like they weren't born until last week (poor babies) you've got quite awhile. Do you know if the mommycat is feral or just stray? Have you been able to pet her, ever? If so, you should bring then ALL in. If she's feral, you'll have to wait until she's ready to let them go. In another week or so they'll open their eyes, and by 4 weeks they're TINY but more hardy and running and climbing -- but they WILL NOT be running away and going their own way. They'll be sticking pretty close to mommy. They'll still be really tiny, just not so fragile.

If you let kittens go to long without human contact, they will go feral. If you are able to get near the kittens to pet, touch, handle, that will help to start socializing them. If the mommy cat doesn't mind you being near, you may be able to do this. Just don't spook her or she'll move them, which she will probably do within the next week anyway. It's just instinct.

Blessings to you, Harold, and lots of karma points for giving the poor babies a home. Bless you even more if you can take the mommy too. (Please do try to get her her in to a vet to have her checked out and spayed or you'll have this situation AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!!!)

Also, while you're waiting, please call up your vet (or A vet) and fill them and and get their advice. You may need to be concerned about fleas, etc., since they're outside, and that can be big trouble for the little babies.

The world needs more people like you!!!

Answer 3

In the best of all possible worlds you will get both the mother and the kittens inside to the safety of your home. That is the only way to guarantee their survival. If the mother is "feral" you will not be able to get her inside.

Could you prepare an enclosed bedroom for her with litterbox, food, water etc.? If she will let you pick her up, and you must be very careful here, if she hisses or spits at you, let it go. You are not going to get her without risking injury to yourself. If you can get her in getting the kittens will be no problem. Bring them to her as quickly as you can.

The kittens need to nurse from her as long as possible, up to eight weeks. And yes, there is a narrow window of time when they can be socialized to humans.

Yes, try to pick them up and pet them if she will let you do it. Continue to feed her and talk to her softly. Tell her how pretty her babies are, etc. It's not what you say, it's your tone of voice and body language that will reassure her. Just work on it a little every day and hopefully you will get to the kittens. If you frighten her she will take the kittens elsewhere. Go with your instincts and feel her out.

This is a tough situation and you may fail. You will have made a heroic effort and the universe will reward you in some way. If you aren't successful this time you will have learned a lot about working with stray cats and that skill will remain with you always and you will find a way to put it to good use.

Answer 4

They're still pretty little at 6-7 weeks - they won't be going their own way quite yet. It doesn't matter if they're with the mother at 8 weeks - that's the earliest they should be taken away. Let them be weaned first. It's not true that they won't make good pets if they're 8 weeks old - where did you read that?

When you put out mama's food, put out a little kitten kibble with a little warm water on it - just enough to moisten it. Kittens learn by watching mama - they'll be interested in the kitten food once she starts to wean them. If they see she's calm near you, they should be too. Gradually get closer and closer - patience is the key. That's the best way to socialise them to you. Talk quietly to them and watch their reaction. If they tense and their eyes get big, they're ready to bolt. Sit quietly and don't look in their eyes. They should calm down. Never make a sudden move.

If you can eventually catch mama and have her spayed, she won't contribute any more homeless kittens.

Answer 5

Harold,

if their is a way you can take both mom and kittens inside your house it would help. Try to start approaching the kittens asap. Usually the mother cat will stay far enough away that she won't interfere with you. Try to pick a time when the mom cat isn't around, just so you feel safer. Although it doesn't sound like the mother cat is worried about you, which means she probably won't mind you doing what I'm about to tell you.

Get as close as possible, start talking to the kittens so they get used to the sound of your voice. As soon as you feel comfortable start picking them up, make sure to handle them on a daily basis. As soon as they start eating the food you put out for mom (on a regular basis) take them away from her. Even if they still hiss and growl at you, as long as they are eating on their own you should take them in. 4-5 weeks of age.

Put them in a small room in your house, a place where they can't hide to easily from you. The bathroom is a perfect place as long as everyone in the house agrees. Continue handling them on a daily basis.

At 6 weeks of age the kittens can get their first distemper shot. If you don't know of any cat rescues in your area, you can go on petfinder.com, click on the rescue/shelter groups icon, then enter your zip code. That will bring up a list of rescue groups in your area. If they are a true rescue group, they should be able to help you with the shots and possibly the adoption.

Ask them if they can trap the mother cat and get her altered. There are many organizations out there that can help you get this done for free. Since the mother cat is feral, they will probably want to return her to your yard if that isn't a problem. It would be a great way of making her a happier, healthier cat.

If the first organization can't help you, ask them for other phone numbers. Also be patient, if an organization says they will help you, they will. Sometimes the organizations are overwhelmed with calls, but once they commit to helping you, they mean it.

Answer 6

Ok first off do not take the kitten before they are at least 8 weeks, if you do you'll end up with scardy cat type cats that are afraid of everything and don't know how to be cats. Give the Mom cat a good brand of food . You could even put out some kitten chow or any made for kitten food out for them.

You socialize feral cats and kitten by gainning their trust. This takes patience, food and kindness. Don't try to rush it. If you go outside eveyday at the same time, sit down on the ground and toss the Mom cat some treats, such as a cheap brand of lunch meat, just sit there and tear it up into pieces and gently toss them a few feet away from you. Talk softly to the cat when she comes to get to food. Pieces of left over steak , chicken and human tuna in small quanties, will make you their friend. Trust me , I've had a feral cat colony for over 15 years. For more info and tips check out these web sites.
Good luck! and please get the mom cat spayed. There's trapping info on the web site Feral Square

Answer 7

I had a similar issue with 3 kittens in my yard. I called a shelter and they said they could not take the kittens until they were 8 weeks old and no longer nursing. You may want to keep an eye on them and see when they start eating the food you leave out. If they are eating solid food, it's probably ok to bring them inside. It's also important that they are eating solid food so that you can use food to bait a trap to catch them. Don't just try to catch them with your hands- even if the mama seems fine with you being close by, she'll probably get really protective if you try to touch the babies. You might also want to see about a trap/neuter/release program in your area for the mama so she doesn't keep having babies in your yard.

Answer 8

you need to try to get all of them including the mother asap. Don't try this by yourself call your local shelter for advice. If the mother lets you near her at one time she could have been a pet see if she will come in the house get some food for her. The babies cannot be taken from her for at least another month however, as they start to get bigger you should start to pick them up. They need to get used to people holding them. If momma knows you are not a threat she won't mind. Wild cats have alot of illnesses so if you can get them to the shelter try they will keep the momma and her babies together until the babies are old enough and then find them homes. My sister is a volunteer for a shelter where we live and she often takes home the momma and her babies until they are old enough to be adopted. If you want that responsibility talk to the shelter about that, but if you have other pets they must be kept completely seperate.

Answer 9

I've had wild kittens before you should really let them stay with there mom for 8 weeks unless you dont mind haveing to bottle feed them which is harderd then it sounds. More then likly they will stay with there mom for months unless something seperats them so you dont have to worry about them walking off at four to eight weeks by themselfs. But the problem is, is that if there mom wants to relocate they will follow her so if you notice them following her out to the woods or street try to grab them there moms fast enough to run from a car but they arent same with a perdator. And you stated that there mom doesnt mind you being so close I would try to get closer to her gain her affection not saying just try to walk right up to her in one day but she know your giving her food and water so she's probally not that scared of you. but becareful if you do notice that she doesnt like you coming so close then give her time and do not pick the kittens up when she's not around some cats will abondon there young if an odd smell is on them and the fact that they are probally to young and fragile. If taking them is a must before 8 weeks call a local vet and get all the info you can on taking care of them.

Answer 10

I've always heard 6 weeks is the best time


As for past 8 weeks, we got a kitten in January that was 3 months old (still with mama) she was VERY wild and took about 4 days to come around. She is the best cat we've ever had.

Good luck :D

We are getting a new fur baby in just a few weeks

Answer 11

Careful. If the mother cat does not like you, she will either move or kill her remaining kittens.

You can try to socialize with them when the mother isn't around. Just put your hand near their faces, so they can smell you. That's as good as you can do before they open their eyes -- do not touch or move them before they open their eyes, because the mother may abandon them! After they open their eyes, you can pet them or wipe with a damp paper towel -- gently. When they start eating canned cat food, you should try to be around, and pet them, while they are eating.

Take the kittens away at eight weeks. The mama cat will cry, ... but if you leave them with her longer, they may not properly bond with you.

Play with the kittens a lot -- drag string around, offer edible treats from your hands, handle them, put them in your lap when they're sleepy, pet them.

You will need to get them their shots. Sorry, I don't know the age for that.

You will need to get them spayed or neutered early, at about 6 months. Your cats should be good for living 15+ years.