What is the appropriate age to bring a kitten home?

العزيمة: What is the appropriate age to bring a kitten home?
I’m considering getting a kitten in the coming months, as I lost my beautiful companion of 17 years (cat) Taffy almost a month ago. 🙁

I was wondering at what age can I bring a kitten home, in particular a ragdoll kitten?

Answers and Views:

Answer by bmxsnowboarder1
I suggest taking them home when they don’t need to rely on the mother anymore for food. If they can chew, then it is time. I suggest a week to two weeks.

Answer by Mel
At the youngest 8 weeks. Some vets are willing the spay/neuter at that age too.

Answer by CF_
the earliest is 6 weeks but 8 is even better.. its best if they receive their shots at least 3 days BEFORE you bring them home..

do NOT get a kitten from a pet store.. you will pay too much for a lower quality animal.. if you want a purebred get it from a breeder – they will stand behind their pet if there are problems and you know who you are dealing with (not some scum who has to hide behind a pet store…)…
or get a mixed breed cat from a shelter.. heck they even occassionally get ragdolls… you will get better value from a shelter becuase they are NON-Profit and you will be saving a life.. which is a wonderful way to honor Taffy.

Answer by storytimegirl2001
I’m very sorry about your loss. As the pet parent of 2 dogs and 5 cats I understand.

9 weeks is legal. 12 weeks is better. The longer they are with the mother and siblings the more stable the animal. There are things they can learn only from Mom and littlermates. Eventually Mom pushes them away when they are older but that usually doesn’t happen until 5 or 6 months. I don’t think there is a difference because of breed.

Answer by Isaacs Meowmy
Kittens should not be taken from the mother any earlier than 5 to 6 weeks but the average age is 12 weeks or older. By that time they are old enough to be spayed or neutered, yes people they can be spayed or neutered at this young age. It is actually better to spay them as young as possible they wont develop bad male and female cat habits, they will mature just fine, and they will recover much faster from it than if you would wait. At this age the kitten should also be familair with using the litterbox, should be eating and drinking on its own and should already have all of its shots.

Answer by michelacevedo12
the correct answer is eight weeks and I would know because I actually do have a 2 year old cat

Answer by P*Kitty
i hand raised a cat from 2 days old, but you should wait until 8 weeks to bring a kitten home as long as the mother is willing to nurse them…so sorry about your Taffy…I know how you feel…my Ginger passed away in march and in may I did a rescue on a 6week old kitten she has brought so much joy to our home

Answer by D
You don’t KNOW?! And you’ve had a cat for 17 years?

Oh go read a book. Educate yourself. Do you really want a kitten? Wouldn’t it be better to rescue a very nice older cat from the humane society or a rescue organization? Think about your lifestyle. What is your age? Do you work or are you retired? If you work, you should not bring a baby home if you will not be there to take care of it. You can’t yank a young kitten from its mother and siblings, then leave it alone by itself for 8 hours or more in a strange new environment.

If retired, do you have the energy to clean up all the accidents that will happen? They do, you know. Would you mind a kitten scratching and clawing your furniture and drapes? Can you afford recurring vet bills? Remember, it is your pet’s RIGHT BY LAW to receive proper medical care.

Think about what is best for the cat!

Answer by Furrballz
I am sorry you lost your much loved furry member of the family…its always hard.
As a Ragdoll Breeder of 8yrs, I feel I can answer this question accurately.
You will find that the Registered DECENT Breeders will rarely allow a kitten to leave their care under 12wks of age.
The ‘legal and ethical’ age governed by most cat associations that Breeders have to adhere to, is 10wks at the earliest.
Cats are not like dogs. in order for a puppy to be correctly socialized, they need to be in their new homes as early as is safely possible, generally by 8-10wks.
With Kittens, the longer they stay with their Mum, siblings and extended cat family, the better ‘cat citizens’ they are for us, as they learn how to be a cat and not how to terrorize people or toilet in inappropriate areas.
ALL our pet kittens leave here desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and with info and food from 12wks and not before.
Kittens do not adjust well to being taken away as soon as they can eat solids.
This is a very old wives tale!
Hope this has helped.