Urgent new kitten advice please

[Nenemum]

Posting here for traffic.

About to go and see a potential new pet kitten. Can anyone give me advice on what to look for seeing a kitten in situ please things like the kitten’s general condition, whether it’s important to see it with its mother or not, if it’s mewling too much or not enough whether that’s important, what to listen out for in the seller’s sales pitch (I don’t know if they’re a breeder or not yet, this is someone my mother has found locally), what a good price is, what vaccinations to ask if it’s had done yet and so on.

Thankyou

Kittens should be 12 weeks before they leave mum.
I know a lot of rescues who would disagree with this. 8-9 weeks is absolutely fine for moggy kittens to be homed.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats

Kittens should be 12 weeks before they leave mum. I know a lot of rescues who would disagree with this. 8-9 weeks is absolutely fine for moggy kittens to be homed.

Yes legally 8 weeks is the minimum

OP - this isn't an ideal purchase, and your kitten sounds as if it may be younger than you have been told, BUT well done for getting it out of a far from ideal environment, and I hope it all goes well for you and the kitten.
Would very strongly recommend a vet visit for a health check, worming and flea treatment.
Please DO NOT buy over the counter flea and worm treatments, you need proper veterinary advice at this age.

They should be 12 weeks old before leaving the mother. Should be treated for fleas and worms and be litter trained. Neutered/speyed at about 4 months.

Had cats for 41 years

@WaltzingBetty what law has been broken?

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats there is no definitive age for this kitten given. Owner said 12 weeks, someone else’s opinion was 6 weeks, and another person’s less than that.

@TheCreamCaker the vet website said not to flea kittens before they weigh 1kg.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats as mentioned upthread, an initial vet visit is the single most important next step.

Nenemum OK

@Warmduscher indeed, hence why the visit was undertaken with a person with cat experience.

How to Treat Fleas With Capstar for Kittens Under 2 lbs
Last updated Jan 09, 2020, 11:20 PM
It’s good news that your little feline buddy has given birth to the kitten. Now you’ve got an extra duty due to the increasing number of your family members. Besides, newborn kittens are so prone to different health issues, especially the fleas. Thus, I recommend you to learn how to treat fleas with Capstar for kittens under 2 lbs.

Come over to the Litter tray. We are all crazy cat people. And you'll get good advice.

One of my cats came from a very reputable rescue at 8 weeks old. It's young but not illegal and she's now a perfectly happy and healthy 7 year old.
I have declined a kitten from a place I had doubts about, it wasn't much fun and DH agonised about whether we should have taken it anyway. But instead we got our kittens elsewhere (12 weeks old with insurance and health checks and double the price). The other kitten was almost certainly from someone churning out 'pedigree' kittens - Mum was there but very nervous, kittens were lethargic and crusty looking. They also wanted us to take the kitten immediately. All red flags.
You can start taking the fleas off this little kitten with a comb, I wouldn't use any chemicals unless vet prescribed.

Thanks @Toddlerteaplease I did start a thread there but there wasn’t enough traffic. Most MN boards are too argumentative for me I just wanted some simple advice, and having now visited the kitten, took it away in good faith because I know it will have a cleaner environment with us than where it came from. I will continue this thread on Litter Tray board now I think

Hi @Nenemum
Regarding the age I was just correcting previous posters claiming 12 weeks is required before rehoming. This simply isn't true.

Very pleased you'll be seeing a vet soon - let us know how it goes. And good luck with your kitten.

[quote Nenemum]@WaltzingBetty what law has been broken?[/quote]
Lucy's Law

@Yarnivore never heard of it so googled it. Doesn’t apply here as no money exchanged hands, she wasn’t selling, she gave it away in the end. She’s not a breeder, she’s just a woman with dozens of cats she doesn’t spay who is downsizing because she’s clearly over run now.

[quote Nenemum]@WaltzingBetty what law has been broken?[/quote]
Lucy's law/animal establishments amendment

Page 30:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936832/selling-animals-as-pets.pdf

If you're serious about improving the lives of the cats you saw you should report the breeder to the RSPCA. She could be a hoarder

This legislation?
www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-animals-as-pets-licence-england

[quote Nenemum]@Yarnivore never heard of it so googled it. Doesn’t apply here as no money exchanged hands, she wasn’t selling, she gave it away in the end. She’s not a breeder, she’s just a woman with dozens of cats she doesn’t spay who is downsizing because she’s clearly over run now.[/quote]
Oh well that makes it ok then. It's not like the law is based on welfare science or anything...

I found take this kitten for an immediate vet check

I have adopted cats and kittens in worse circumstances (including one found almost dying in our garden). However you have taken in a kitten from a filthy home full of other cats who have not had medical attention or treatment - you need to find out whether there are chronic illnesses or parasites

[quote Nenemum]@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats there is no definitive age for this kitten given. Owner said 12 weeks, someone else’s opinion was 6 weeks, and another person’s less than that.[/quote]
If you're trying to argue that a 12 week old kitten weighs 600g then you clearly do know nothing about cats or you've just bought a very sick kitten

Most are over 1 kg by 9 weeks

Report the crazy cat lady to the RSPCA, the local council and anyone else you can think of.

The kitten is extremely vulnerable and so is any animal still in the house.

Yes @Lunde a vet visit was mentioned almost immediately this thread started, but unfortunately like many MN boards it snowballs into Chinese whispers via people commenting before reading the whole thread. So what starts out as advice please, looking at a kitten today today, turns into, got kitten out of filthy house, and then onto I’m going to report you to the RSPCA for breaking the law. Good old MN, hasn’t changed since 2009. If you want to comment further, please find me on the Litter Tray board now instead, where the real cat experts are.

[quote Nenemum]@Warmduscher indeed, hence why the visit was undertaken with a person with cat experience.[/quote]
@Nenemum

Someone with “cat experience” who was unable to tell you whether the poor conditions the cats were living in would have had a negative impact on them?

Clearly not a great help if she was unable to answer such a basic question.