Trixie and Trinity are going home

[smudgley]

Originally Posted by Booktigger

The socialisation they get between 7 and 9 weeks old Smudgely, learning things like 'no' from their mum (ie with weaning).

That's debatable & new recent studies have shown in dog behaviour (I don't know if the same applies in cat behaviour, but I guess so) this may not be true. IE that by the age of 6+ weeks the mother is spending little social time with the babies. So questionable just how much she does teach them.

Not disagreeing with you, just think it's not as important as some people may think.

What is very important without any doubt is the socialisation they get in the early stages of life & I think what they are exposed to in the early weeks is much more important than what their mom teaches them.

Anyway I'm sure we all have agreed that 6 weeks is early to leave your mommy - but I've seen many hand rears that manage life with no apparent problems.

[Booktigger]

Thats interesting actually, as I just found out yesterday from someone at work that they are saying it is better younger with puppies (I can't fully remember what she said). I might do some research when I am off work to see if it is the same in cats. But one of the main things is them realising boundaries, which is what she teaches them with weaning. And what they learn from play fighting - which obviously isn't an issue here cos they are still in a pair, but it doesn't always work like that. Hand rears are completely different anyway though.