simba

[Az]

Originally Posted by kerrie

he is 6 weeks

Where are his siblings? Sorry I haven't followed it, but did your cat have the litter?

[kerrie]

lucy had the litter yes she is the cat with the litter i took in, the other kittens went to the new homes yesterday all eating and drinking,wormed and de fleaed, lucy kept on hissing and biting them so i let them go

[Az]

Did you know they are not meant to go untill 13 weeks? In my experience it is natural the mother will hiss and bite them as she is probably teaching them good manners and perhaps a little bit agitated by them. If it wasn't serious I don't think they should have gone 6 weeks is way too soon

[kerrie]

oh i never knew that i thought they were ready when they were on solids and litter trained like puppies

[Az]

No they are very different to Dogs... they are still being taught all sorts by their mum and socialising etc untill 12 weeks - most good breeders keep them untill 13 weeks tho, one week after their second jab.

Many people have problems with kittens that were taken too soon from their mum...

[Ann-Marie]

i've had no problems with my cats and they were 6 weeks old when i got them. I also know a few other people who have got kittens at that age - also without any problems.

[Az]

You have been lucky...

Originally Posted by The GCCF on their website

The GCCF strongly recommends that no kitten should be permitted to go to a new home before 13 weeks of age. At least seven days prior to this, the kitten should have completed a full course of vaccinations, including a health check, given by a Veterinary Surgeon or by a listed Veterinary Nurse under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon. The breeder should ensure that kittens are house-trained, inoculated and in good general health.

You can download their code of ethics from here: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...ATS/ethics.pdf

[Fran]

I don't particulatly want to get into this debate but I have to agree 6 weeks is too young to leave the littermates and mum

[Jac]

I got C-fur at 5 weeks and I had to teach him how to use a litter tray. It was good for me as he bonded to me BUT he's like a limpet. It would have been better if he had had more time with his Mum. Purrdie was 15 weeks and she is more independant but more afraid of human interaction. It's been a long haul with her but it's beging to show it's rewards.