2006-11-02 09:32:54 · 8 answers · asked by VeezNutts 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
A kitten should not be taken away from the mother until 8 weeks old!
2006-11-02 09:35:23 · answer #1 · answered by Heather 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's age.... minimum age to be taken away from mom is 8 weeks, though 10 weeks with mom is deal.
If you found a kitten and don't know its age - here are some thing that help determine age -
1. Umbilical cord attached: They are 3 days or younger.
2. Eyes: They begin to open at 7-8 days and all eyes should be open by day 10. Their eyes generally change from blue to blue/gray then yellow/green between 6 1/2 to 7 weeks of age but can vary kitten-to-kitten and litter-to-litter. In one litter, kittens can be conceived 4-5 days apart. This also contributes to the different days the eyes open.
3. Ears: Their ears stand up at 3-1/2 weeks of age.
4. Teeth: Another way to age the kittens is by the teeth. The following is from the Cornell Book of Cats. The ages are when the teeth break the skin or 'eruption of the teeth' happens, or when they break the surface.
Baby teeth:
Center (4) Incisors (front teeth between the canines) 2-3 weeks
Outer Incisors (still between the canines) 3-4 weeks
Canines 3-4 weeks
Upper molars (called a premolar) 2 months (8 weeks)
Lower molars (called a premolar) 4-5 weeks
Adult teeth:
Center (4) Incisors (front teeth between the canines) 3-1/2 to 4 months (14-16 weeks)
Outer Incisors (still beaten the canines) 4 to 4-1/2 months (16-18 weeks)
Canines 5 months
Upper molars (called a premolar) 4-1/2 to 6 months (depending on tooth)
Lower molars (called a premolar) 5-6 months for all
Upper molar in back, no baby tooth, just the molar at 4-5 months
5. Mobility: They are unstable on their feet until they are around 4 weeks of age and can run pretty well by 5 weeks. If you see kittens running around a yard, they are at least 5-6 weeks old.
6. Eating: They generally are eating on their own between 5 and 6 weeks of age. Some will eat as young as 4 weeks and some will take as long as 8 weeks to stop the bottle if you are bottle feeding. The older kittens who refuse to leave the bottle are generally needing the one-on-one affection they are receiving.
2006-11-02 09:58:23 · answer #2 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on what you mean by "away from its mother". It will begin to explore as soon as its eyes open, but mom-cat will need to be around for quite some time. If you are looking for a new home for it I would say a MINIMUM of 6 weeks, preferably 8-9 weeks. If you are adopting one you need to know its age. An older kitten will be a more secure, well balanced cat. Size has nothing to do with it.
2006-11-02 09:48:36 · answer #3 · answered by Enchanted Gypsy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How old is the kitten? They should stay with their mom for about 8 weeks.
My cat was only 4 weeks when we brought him home, but that was an emergency. He was way too young to be away from his mother. I worked for a vet and he had been "clipped" by a car and had a broken leg. My boss removed his leg and I've had him ever since (11 years).
It is possible to hand raise young kittens but nothing is as good as "mom"!
Good luck.
2006-11-02 09:44:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mugsy's Place 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are less than 8 weeks old they are too young to be away from their mom. In the last couple of weeks the mom teaches them manners and teaches them how to be independent. If you take a kitten away too soon you will have a very badly behaved, dependent, neurotic cat. Believe me, my cat was taken away from her mom too soon and she is a maniac. Good thing I love her so much and she's my baby!
2006-11-02 11:01:51 · answer #5 · answered by Sarrah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 weeks I think.
2006-11-02 09:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by Persia Prince 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it cries excessively and no matter what you do it still cries...that and the size are the main things
2006-11-02 09:36:36 · answer #7 · answered by tangela 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when its eyes are open its ready
2006-11-02 09:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by dangel6667 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋