Kittens in a Cattery?

[oscarwilde]

I'm considering taking two kittens from friends of friends who've been idiots and not spayed their cat. They'll be available two weeks before we go on holidays for two weeks so I'm in a bit of a quandary. I could ask them to hang onto them until we come back but they will be 14 weeks old by then. The owners seem to want to hand them over at 8 weeks but reading on here the recommendations seem to be 10-12 weeks.

I have a toddler (nearly three) and a 6mo. I don't want to introduce two kittens who are already too old to deal with a toddlers less than gentle handling, or who are used to clambering all over the house somewhere else.

What would you do? I can't imagine that two weeks in any sort of a cattery or a cat sitting service will be good for kittens that young? Should we just pass on it or am I over thinking it and 14 weeks old will be just fine if I can persuade the owners and offer to contribute towards their upkeep.

[miggy]

if nice well looked afte well grown kittens , 8 weeks would be fine and better to have them with you for a month, then find a nice cattery.
think probably better to get used to toddlers at an early age!
or maybe go back to breeders for the two weeks?

[thecatneuterer]

I would leave them with their mother until you get back from holiday. 14 weeks is still young enough to get used to things and it will save them the awful trama of being in a cattery. And cats are much better adjusted if they stay longer with their mother.

[cozietoesie]

If your friends will keep them the extra time, 14 weeks would be fine to take them - that's still young but old enough for them to have been fully weaned from, but trained by, Mum. Myself, I would be extremely reluctant to put two youngsters through two big moves in such a short time.

Of course, if your friends have someone else who would like the kits, you shouldn't find it difficult to get other kittens or cats when you are better placed as there are so many around at the moment.