Kitten Old Enough To Leave Mother Cat?

by Jennie Wright
(Tucson, AZ)

Question:
My friend wants to take her kitten now but the kitten is only 6 weeks old. Is it safe for my baby to go to his new home? I would prefer to wait till they are 8 weeks old but she says it's ok at 6 weeks. He eats a little solid food and he is the biggest in the litter. Not yet litter trained.

Answer:
Some breeders say six weeks is enough, most though advise keeping a kitten with the mother cat until (s)he's eight weeks old. It depends if a kitten is "ready" for it. In your case I would say eight weeks seems the best option. It will give the kitten more time to get used to solid food and using the litter box.

How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat answers all your questions about pregnancy in cats and kitten care.