How Young is to Young.  By Redoak Ragdolls How Young is Too Young? How old should a kitten be when it goes to a new home? Redoak Ragdolls has only been breeding Ragdolls since 2002 and have been breeding cats since 1972, and had produced many litters. We have been approached by many people who wanted a kitten between 6wks & 10wks old, but when we decline, they have objected to our policy of selling kittens at twelve weeks of age, as they were concerned the kitten would not bond with them, they pointed out to us newspaper and internet ads advertising kittens 'ready to go' at six or eight weeks of age. "I have had to explain to them that these adds are from back yard breeders and roag breeders who do not breed in the interest of this wonderful breed of cat.”I have learnt that many a kitten has been sold to prospective pet owners and pet shops from 6 weeks of age within days of having their first vaccination, some kittens are not vaccinated. These kittens ended up weighing less than it had when it had gone to its new home weeks before, the owners complained that the kitten had died or got the sniffles and chronic diarrhea and wasn't using the litter box. It hadn't settled in with their resident cat, and the kitten spent much of its time hiding under the furniture. "They said they'd never get a purebred cat again, because obviously they're not healthy," Redoak Ragdolls have worked with many people who have been impatient and obtained a kitten at a young age with veterinary care and a lot of TLC, the kitten was back on its feet in a few weeks and the owners regained their love for this beautiful breed, the kitten's problems had nothing to do with its heritage of the breed, it was the lack of respect by both back yard and roag breeders including the impatient prospective buyers. Twelve weeks may seem old to people accustomed to seeing newspaper ads advertising kittens who are "ready to go" at six or eight weeks of age. Most of us who have had cats have acquired kittens that young. They are cute at that age, and most people enjoy having such young kittens to watch them grow. However, we may permanently harm kittens by separating them from their mothers so early. There are crucial mental, emotional, and developmental milestones that a kitten experiences between six and twelve weeks of age. Separating the kitten from mother, siblings, and familiar surroundings at that age can cause undue anxiety and stress at the least, and serious medical problems or even death in the very worst cases. POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF EARLY SEPARATION Problems with immunity and health ( By Dr Arnold ) "One of my main concerns with early separation is that kittens' immune systems are really developing between eight and twelve weeks of age," says Dr. Arnold. "The immunity from their mother is wearing off, and the immunity from vaccination is just starting to take over. During this time, they are more susceptible to illness, such as upper-respiratory problems and diarrhea." Kittens generally receive vaccinations against panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calici viruses (commonly called the "distemper combination" shot) at six, nine, and twelve weeks of age. However, immunity from vaccination does not happen immediately; shots can take up to ten days to be effective. Up until this time, kittens receive some measure of immunity through antibodies from their mother's milk, but this is also the age where they are beginning to wean. Their immune system "kicks over" from immunity from mother's milk to immunity from vaccination. During this time, their immune system is busy with this task, leaving the kitten less able to fight off other illnesses. "The stress of going to a new home and being exposed to different germs can make the kitten more susceptible to illness during this time," adds Dr. Arnold. "I have spoken to many new pet owners who have purchased their kittens at eight weeks of age, "The overwhelming   majority of them had health problems with their new babies, probably caused by the stress of being separated from their siblings and mother at such an early age. I have explained to them my reasons for not placing my kittens early and suggested that in the future they use this as a gauge to ascertain which breeders are more interested in the financial income provided by kitten sales than they are in placing healthy, well adjusted kittens. It is most definitely more expensive to keep kittens until they are twelve weeks old, it is better to be a responsible breeder than a neglectful greedy breeder" When a kitten is ready to leave may also vary from cat to cat, or from breed to breed.  Some cats are simply not big enough to go on their own until they are a bit older. Devon Rex breeds small and need a full twelve weeks to mature and socialize. A Russian Blues breed tends to be slender and the cats need more body mass to handle vaccinations. It is wiser to vaccinate them a bit later so that the cats can better handle problems if they occur. From a health standpoint, it is best to allow the kitten to receive its entire first vaccinations, including boosters, while at home in familiar surroundings. First shots are not enough to confer immunity, and the kitten needs time for its immune system to change over completely from one system (mother's milk) to another (vaccination). They should also be of a sufficient size and physical maturity before they are ready. Problems with eating and eliminating "Weaning isn't an event; it's a process, kittens don't just start eating food, one day they eat a little food, nurse, eat a little, nurse, and so on. Eventually they eat more than they nurse, and then stop nursing altogether. This doesn't happen by six or eight weeks of age." Left to their own devices, mothers will eventually stop allowing kittens to nurse. With most cats this occurs naturally anywhere from eight to twelve weeks. However, this process is very important, as it teaches the kitten to learn to deal positively with frustration and denial. As the mother starts refusing to allow the kitten to nurse, which the kitten very much wants to do, she teaches the kitten how to cope with that frustration. Kittens who do not learn this lesson may develop behavioral problems. Weaning is not simply a matter of getting a kitten to eat solid food. It's an important time when the kitten begins to assert its independence from its mother. This needs to be a gradual process. It's also common for too-young kittens to eat poorly and have litter box problems, many kittens at age six to eight weeks aren't consistently using the litter box, I have found that my own kittens can take up to ten weeks to have litter box habits down pat. And diarrhea can accompany the changes in diet and stress that come with a new home. Diarrhea can be life-threatening to a small kitten; severe dehydration and rapid weight loss is a serious problem when one has so little body mass to start. Problems with socialization and behavior People often express a desire to have a younger kitten because they are afraid the kitten will not bond with them once older. This is simply not true. "The older kittens bond with their new human’s just fine. Cats do not have, nor do they need to establish their place in the "pack" like dogs must do. This is the myth that must be dispelled so that kittens will have the opportunity to learn from their mothers and be as healthy and stress-free as possible when they go to their new homes." It is true that kittens who are separated at a young age from their mothers will often bond to a person as a surrogate mother. This may seem cute, but it's unhealthy. Such kittens will often suck on blankets, clothing, buttons, even earlobes or on themselves. They may become dependent upon humans to the point that they become fearful or neurotic when left alone. Many hide or run at the sight of unknown people. Most commonly, however, cats who are deprived of proper socialization don't learn how to be with other cats. This makes them especially inappropriate as house pets in a multicat household. The kitten socialization phase starts at about four weeks of age and can continue until up to fourteen weeks old. Kittens learn to explore their world through this period, under the comforting guidance of their mother. Between nine and fourteen weeks old, they learn from their mother and siblings how to interact with other cats. They learn how to recognize and interpret cat body language. Quite literally, a cat who misses out on this important social step may not learn how to "talk" to other cats. Kittens need the time with their mothers and siblings to learn important life lessons, lessons that will make them happy, healthy, confident kittens. "I have seen kittens taken from their mother too young become cloth chewers and neurotic, kittens not only need to be with their mothers, but also with their siblings. They learn proper acceptable play behavior from both mother and siblings. Kittens taken away too young are not as tolerant or as sure of themselves as older kittens." The important thing to remember is this: it should be the kitten's current and future well-being that drives the decision of age to place, not finances or a simple desire to have a younger kitten for whatever reason. Kitten hood is a fleeting time. You will have a kitten only for a short time, but the cat may be with you for many years to come. You may find it personally disappointing to allow a kitten an extra month or two with its mother when you had hoped to have it earlier,     but it will make a world of difference to the mental, emotional, and physical health to the kitten throughout its entire life. If you are searching for a pet through a shelter, you may not have an option. If you are getting a kitten through an acquaintance or through a breeder, insist on at least twelve weeks for the kitten's health. You will have a healthier, happier, and better socialized feline friend because of it. Kitten at 2 weeks old This beautiful 2 week old kitten may look cute, but it is very vulnerable to the unknown and totally dependent on its mother and breeder for its long term survival. Kitten 6 week old Adorable? Yes, But at 6 weeks, this kitten has only had her first Vacc and is still nursing actively and still a baby Kitten 12 weeks old At twelve weeks of age, most kittens are weaned or nearly fully weaned, have had adequate socialization with mother and siblings, have received their full series of kitten shots, and have gotten through the critical immune system "kick-over" period. Properly handled and socialized by people, these kittens have learned to explore their world and will meet it with a happy, outgoing confidence that will carry them throughout their lifetime. This may vary from cat to cat, or breed to breed. © 2009 Ragdolls Australia subject to copyright laws