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Original poster

How old before you can leave a kitten

29 replies

nightswim · 08/04/2024 15:35

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a kitten for my dc. We've seen one and fallen in love with it. We're due to go away for 3 nights when it would be about 12 weeks. I have someone who it would know well and could op in for a couple of visits a day but worried it would be too soon to leave it? Also worried that if they end up not being around I would have to ask someone it didn't know so well for shorter visits. I can wait until we get back but dc loves the kitten we've seen and we're due to go away again in August so would be in a similar situation. Maybe I shouldn't get one but would love dc to have a pet. Anyways interested in hearing how others have approached similar.

OP posts:
OutOfTheHouse · 08/04/2024 15:39

How long would you have had them for by the time you go away?

In my honest opinion 12 weeks is too little to be left for more that a few hours.

MsFaversham · 08/04/2024 15:40

It is too young. Could you take the kitten to someone to look after for the 3 days?

Feliciacat · 08/04/2024 15:42

Look on Pawshake for a pet sitter. I’d say less than 6 months is too young to be left. You’re their world.

Hermittrismegistus · 08/04/2024 15:44

I wouldn't leave a kitten that young alone for more than a couple of hours and only if necessary.

TimesChangeAgain · 08/04/2024 15:46

What age are you planning to get it? While people have traditionally removed kittens from their mums at 8 weeks, more and more breeders are moving to 12 weeks as there is more understanding of the benefits of giving them more time. So ideally I’d say can you collect the kitten the day you get back, when it’s just over 12 weeks.

If that’s not an option, then no, 12 weeks is definitely too young for a kitten to be essentially alone for 3 days. It’s a tiny baby still really.

scaredofff · 08/04/2024 15:51

I wouldn't leave it alone more than a couple of hours at that age. But would be ok to be looked after in someone else's home. And probably will like the exploring

LeaveTheClocksAlone · 08/04/2024 15:53

Far too young

MenoBabe · 08/04/2024 15:55

Much too small to be left alone. Even at night when too go to bed, they will probably cry if you leave them alone, and you'll end up with them in bed with you. Well I did anyway!

Original poster
nightswim · 08/04/2024 15:57

It does feel too young, I will have to let dc down and look for another one at a better time , problem is if we get one in June we're due to go away August and then if get one in September due to go away in November - so it is a continuous problem. Do people who get kittens just never go away? I guess so. I will rethink it. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
hellsbells99 · 08/04/2024 16:00

And if you can afford the upkeep, get two - they will keep each other company.

Bing123 · 08/04/2024 16:02

You could try a cattery but i think they have to have their vaccines completed

OutOfTheHouse · 08/04/2024 16:03

nightswim · 08/04/2024 15:57

It does feel too young, I will have to let dc down and look for another one at a better time , problem is if we get one in June we're due to go away August and then if get one in September due to go away in November - so it is a continuous problem. Do people who get kittens just never go away? I guess so. I will rethink it. Thanks everyone.

We got our girl after we had been on holiday and then didn’t go away again for nearly a year.
We got her at 12 week and were able to come home at lunch time to check on her.

Daffodilsarentfluffy · 08/04/2024 16:04

2 dkittens.
Use a cattery.
Never buy an animal for a dc..

TwigTheWonderKid · 08/04/2024 16:06

That is absolutely too young to leave a kitten unless you get a proper house sitter. You also won't be able to put them in a cattery as they won't have completed their vaccinations.

Although kittens are weaned from 8 weeks, a good breeder or cat rescue will favour rehoming kittens at 12-14 weeks as this is the time they learn to "be a cat" from their mum and litter mates.

Kitten season has only just started so you shouldn't have a problem finding one ( or even better, two) later in the summer.

EmpressaurusOfTheScathingTinsel · 08/04/2024 16:08

Also, does it have to be young kittens? Older kittens / young cats are still playful & energetic but a bit more independent & (hopefully) less destructive.

TunaCrunchy · 08/04/2024 16:08

Could you see if you can have the kitten up after your trip, that’s what we did?

Tygertiger · 08/04/2024 16:11

All kittens are adorable. Wait until after your holiday and you’ll find loads, kitten season is approaching and rescues will be full.

Cats live longer than dogs, so bear in mind you are looking at a life expectancy of 15-20 years. This is a pet for you, not dc. And expect clawed curtains, sofas, rugs, carpets, and if it goes out, regular presents in the form of mice and birds.

I adore my cats but they’re a big commitment. All the care falls to me, so if you don’t want the cat yourself but are doing it for dc then don’t do it.

And two are much easier than one - if you can afford food, vets’ bills and flea/worm treatment for two, I’d always get kittens in pairs rather than singly.

Fundays12 · 08/04/2024 16:16

Far to young to leave a kitten alone for that long. Kittens need TLC, lots of attention, frequent feeding, litter changes a lot and playtime. They do struggle to be left alone as they can be very timid and get scared plus need socialised. I never left my kittens alone for more than short time periods and we did no go away until they were about 9 months old. I got the kittens after we had been away to ensure we could be home.

Fiddlerdragon · 08/04/2024 16:25

nightswim · 08/04/2024 15:57

It does feel too young, I will have to let dc down and look for another one at a better time , problem is if we get one in June we're due to go away August and then if get one in September due to go away in November - so it is a continuous problem. Do people who get kittens just never go away? I guess so. I will rethink it. Thanks everyone.

Yes, good owners who get kittens do not go away. It’s not hard to prioritise a new family member for a year or so. If you’ve already got trips that you’ve committed to then wait until after. Also after having worked in a couple of catteries, I definitely recommend against people using them except for emergencies. They don’t take to it like a dog in a good boarding kennels, they all end up terrified and traumatised. I wouldn’t leave the cat until it’s old enough to be left at home, and get a pet sitter in

PaminaMozart · 08/04/2024 16:27

I'm an experienced cat 'owner', foster cat carer and cat shelter volunteer. My suggestions...

Don't get a cat for the children unless THEY are committed.

If you do want a kitten, get 2 siblings aged 12-14 weeks at least.

However, if you are new to cats, I'd strongly advise getting an adult cat. One that has an even, gentle temper who is used to being on their own. Less exciting than watching kittens getting up to all sorts, but there's YouTube for that.

Talk to cat charities or your local RSPCA - they'll be able to advise.

PaminaMozart · 08/04/2024 16:29

And I agree with @Fiddlerdragon , especially this:

I definitely recommend against people using catteries except for emergencies. They don’t take to it like a dog in a good boarding kennels, they all end up terrified and traumatised. I wouldn’t leave the cat until it’s old enough to be left at home, and get a pet sitter in

They may not necessarily end up traumatised, but they'd definitely hate it...

Feliciacat · 08/04/2024 16:35

When I got a five month old little girl, we didn’t go away for 16 months apart from a non-negotiable two nights for my brother’s wedding (but she was 10 months old by then and we got someone in). Pets may not be people but they can love as deeply as people and they hate being left alone.

Once your kitten is over a year old and settled in then you can go away for a night or two with someone visiting. As others have said; never a cattery. Cats prefer their own territory. Pet sitter for any more than two nights.

AintNobodyHereButUsKittens · 08/04/2024 16:35

I'd ask everyone trustworthy and pet/toddler-free I know whether they'd be prepared to have the kitten to stay for three days. It depends on the temperament of course, but braver twelve week old kittens would have the time of their lives exploring a new and exciting house, and many humans would enjoy making a fuss of a kitten that age for three days until the novelty wears off and they see the holes in the net curtains.

However as pps have said it's probably better to get a pair of siblings rather than just one kitten.

AltitudeCheck · 08/04/2024 17:01

How old are your DC? A lot of younger children are too loud and boisterous for kittens, cats generally like peace and quiet. Perhaps consider an adult cat that is already socalised and confident around children.

EmpressaurusOfTheScathingTinsel · 08/04/2024 17:19

PaminaMozart · 08/04/2024 16:27

I'm an experienced cat 'owner', foster cat carer and cat shelter volunteer. My suggestions...

Don't get a cat for the children unless THEY are committed.

If you do want a kitten, get 2 siblings aged 12-14 weeks at least.

However, if you are new to cats, I'd strongly advise getting an adult cat. One that has an even, gentle temper who is used to being on their own. Less exciting than watching kittens getting up to all sorts, but there's YouTube for that.

Talk to cat charities or your local RSPCA - they'll be able to advise.

All of this.

Also when your new arrival comes, they might well be terrified at first & need
peace, quiet & patience. My current foster (8 months) spent the 1st 48 hours in hiding before deciding to come over for a stroke, and while she’s far more confident now, I had to pretty much ignore her until she was ready to be noticed. Would that be difficult for your kids?