Should I wait until they wean?

Question

My cat had 4 kittens 3 weeks ago today. My husband says it's time to put them in a box and give them away. I say we should wait until they wean at 8 weeks. He says by the time they wean they won't be cute enough to give away, people won't want them and we'll end up having to take them to the pound or something. What's the danger in taking the kittens away from mom now before they are weaned?

married, the mother cat was a stray when we found her she was already pregnant, and we do plan on getting her spayed when she weans because we're keeping the mother. We already have another male cat that is neutered, and we don't need 6 cats in the house that's why he wants to get rid of them. so you're the a** not my husband.

Answer 1

Take them and mom to the nearest petsmart and beg their rescue to take them and take care of them.

Answer 2

Three weeks is too young to be taken form the mother. At three weeks they would still need to be bottle fed if they leave mom. The kittens should stay with the mom until they are weaned...at least five to six weeks.

They will still be cute in three more weeks. If you are worried about no one wanting them you can but cute little bows on them when youtry to give them away. You could also contact a no-kill shelter or rescue group to see if they would be willing to take the whole litter when the kittens are old enough.

Answer 3

Your cute kittens will become cute cats, so what your husband said was wrong.

However, while people may prefer kittens than adult cats, this is summertime, where shelters and pounds are overcrowded with kittens and unfortunately, animals are put down. You'll have to go to a no-kill shelter, only if no one grabs the kitten(s).

Wait until the kittens are at least 8 weeks to gradually wean them off of their mother's milk.

Answer 4

3 weeks might be a little young....I got my cats when they were 6 weeks young - I wouldn't have picked them up any younger (not saying that you can't.. but..). They won't be weaned at 8 weeks either.... ;)

I bought the mother's milk (powder you mix with water) and tiny bottles, sometimes they'd rip the nipple right off the bottle - they loved it. Eventually, I moved it to a bowl and it seems like they'll drown themsevles in it - they learn quickly how to drink it correctly!

They're now 14 years old - I have no problems with my cats.

Answer 5

Three weeks is way to young to be giving kittens away, chances are they will not survive without their mothers, and most responsible pet owners would not adopt a cat that young. Please wait until the kittens are at least 8 weeks old, trust me they will be extremely cute at that age and you should have no problems finding them homes.

Answer 6

Kittens should be at least 6 weeks before weaning.

Answer 7

it's simple: they will die.
You cannot take them away until they are at LEAST 7 wks.. their digestive systems cannot tolerate anything else. They are babies.
If your husband is so worried about the kittens not finding homes, he should have had the cat sterilised. Tell him he's an a**.
Edit: I'm not the uneducated kitten killer here LOL it doesn't take too much brain to google search for 'weaning kittens', does it..? He cares more about the cute factor than their well being, so yeah.. he's an a**. Had you told the whole story to begin with.. duh.. too much to ask.

Answer 8

they need their mother for 3 more weeks

Answer 9

Very dangerous! Please don't get rid of them! They'll die without their mom's milk. And about the cuteness factor, don't worry, they'll be cute for a long time.

Answer 10

if they cant drink milk on their on then its not time yet