My boyfriend's barn cat had kittens, on Friday we wanted to take one of them home (she'll be six weeks and two days). We just want to make sure that she is old enough to be taken away or should we wait until we see her eating real food? Thank you!!
2006-10-29 13:20:52 · 12 answers · asked by sweetpeaberry42 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I believe most cats are weaned at around 6 wks. of age.
I recently purchased one myself, and it was weaned at around 6 wks. of age. The vet oked them to go to their new homes.
You'll probably get lots of various opinions from different people who prefer them being weaned at various ages.
Good Luck!
2006-10-29 13:24:34 · answer #1 · answered by Goats Rule 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely wait at least another two weeks to be sure the kitten is totally weaned. It is always best to have two kittens - for their emotional health and socialization so take two of them if you can. You will avoid many "kitten" problems such as scratching and biting that bother so many kitten owners as the two will teach each other how to modify these behaviors.
Your kitten (s) will have a healthy genetic inheritance from forebearers who have eaten the proper diet for a cat - the mouse. So feed them canned meat and skip the inappropriate dry food for later in their life if you must.
My 22 yr old cat is a barn cat and I feel her long life is probably due to good inheritance from her ancestors. Skip the cheap grocery store stuff too. It has by-product meat and is not healthy for cats.
2006-10-29 14:21:54 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
6 weeks is the minimum age that kittens can be taken from their moms. So it would probably be okay if you did. But waiting until you are sure it can eat solid food probably is not a bad idea. An 8 week old kitten would be a bit more apt to eat better and not be so stressed.
2006-10-29 13:29:05 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barn kitties can turn wild if you leave them with their mothers too long. Once they do that, it's harder to domesticate them.
Five years ago, we adopted a kitten from a friend, and she was only 5 weeks old at the time. She soon learned to eat real food. She's the best cat we've ever had.
Iâ¥â«âmiaâ¼âº†
2006-10-29 13:29:17 · answer #4 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can, wait for her to start eating food. However, if conditions demand that she leave the barn ASAP, then she would probably do okay if you were to take her home if you can give extra love and care for a few more weeks. Sounds like she's in a safe place for now though, so I recommend patience until she's ready.
2006-10-29 13:25:36 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Six weeks is kinda young but do-able, will need lots of attention at that age though. Eight weeks is a better age, I suggest leaving the kitten with her mother for a couple of more weeks.
2006-10-29 13:24:48 · answer #6 · answered by patti duke 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Patti, I'd wait a couple more weeks. Usually when you buy/sell an animal in the paper, state law says the animal should be 8 weeks old.
2006-10-29 13:26:31 · answer #7 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait 8 weeks
2006-10-29 14:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by pink9364 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I took in a 4 week old and hes doing fine, ate food right away and litter boxed trained in a day. His name is Monster.
2006-10-29 13:23:35 · answer #9 · answered by Binky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes she is old enough, and she will be able to eat real food, just make sure its kitten food, and if she doesnt eat it, try giving her milk, if you want you can warm the milk up.
2006-10-29 13:29:55 · answer #10 · answered by little_razorblade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋