7 weeks bengal, is it too young

[Branleuse]

Im going to have a look at some bengal cross kittens tommorow. The mum says theyre ready to go as theyre eating properly, but theyre not very good with the litter tray yet. Do you think thats because of their age or maybe because of their breed? Would leaving it a week or two be better? I dont want to risk losing the kitten to someone else.

Ive never had such a young kitten before. Ive always gone for older kittens or adult cats. How much of a difference does a week or two make in reality?

I have to defend Bengals. Our Bengal is the most relaxed, friendly, affectionate and easy cat I’ve ever had. She rushed in as soon as we have visitors and will go straight to them, whether they are strangers or not. She is no trouble at night and never kills anything larger than a moth.

Mine sprays too,and he's been done. He favours the Hebe plant,watering can and the neighbour's doorstep!

thanks for all the replies. @Lapdanceshoeshine, your cat is BEAUTIFUL

Until recently all kittens were given away at six weeks old. Mine was trapped by a rescue and taken from his mum at four weeks to socialise him along with a dozen others from a feral colony.
Eight weeks is obviously better. I wouldn’t want to wait any longer and miss the young kitten stage.

Until recently all kittens were given away at six weeks old

Until recently we used to physically punish children in schools. Until recently you could smoke in pubs and restaurants without concern for the staff.

Just because we used to do things doesn’t mean they were right.

Thanks, Branleuse - he certainly thinks so

He's not so pretty now, & is massive (pic on 2-seater sofa), but a good cat -does not spray, was neutered at about 4 months.

Still has the belly spots but too much fur to see them!

You don’t sound like a very responsible pet owner. I think you should do some research before you get any cat, let alone a 7 week old kitten from a highly irresponsible backyard breeder

By the way, if you care so much about the kittens get the RSPCA to contact the woman who ‘accidentally’ had the kittens and they can give her some advice

No Poppyfields YOU sound like a shit cat owner. Absolutely terrible.

I can tell this about you JUST as easily and accurately as you can about me.

👍 @Branleuse

@Branleuse this always happens on threads like this, whatever the precise question asked.

Best way forward IMO is to just ignore every single critical unhelpful post & let them bicker to each other

lapdanceshoeshine mine is very like that - beautiful if course! I always describe her as a breed but not a pedigree as she’s a moggy at heart!

I would find it very hard to walk away from the kitten (if I wanted a Bengal) but I do think it’s too young to be away from its mother. I would also be worrying about potential health problems as the owner sounds as though she doesn’t have a clue about animal welfare.

I would also be reporting the stupid woman to the RSPCA as she does come across as a backyard breeder and I wish all sorts of misfortune on people like that and if I could potentially stop it happening I would.

Good luck whatever you decide, and please post pictures!

If this kitten is coming from Liverpool please message me before you buy. There is a kitten peddler there that sells half / quarter pedigrees, usually for silly prices, and they are always too young and ill. My one sadly died after 2 weeks of intensive vet care.

If kittens are taken too young from their siblings and mum and haven't had a good start it can affect their personality and behaviour long term (possibly forever). You said you'd only spoken on the phone, but this dirty smelly home info now indicates more of a problem. Bengal in the mix and you could have some very difficult behaviour ahead of you. As you see it as "just a cat" you might find it very difficult.

As you also just like the look of Bengals, be aware that the kitten may look very different once it's an adult.

Have you suggested to this overwhelmed woman that she take her kittens to the shelter? Have you reported her to ensure the mothers welfare is checked on, they could check that she really has been neutered. You seem to be missing the point that the situation suggests this cat is being used to make money and you're encouraging that.

Have they been treated, checked over and vaccinated?

You have to consider the effect of all this on your existing pets. One of mine would take care of a kitten but another would be distraught and that'd be a disaster for a baby taken too young.

Tbh i dont really feel like i can talk here about it anymore or ask for any more advice because of the judgemental comments, interrogative and insulting tone of the replies , so i am just googling anymore questions i have and hoping someone else knows without me having to ask personally.

I am not going to report the woman. The last thing she needs is people on her back. Hopefully the kittens all find decent homes and this young woman can get her house back in order with her spayed animals. She was very young, very working class, one of the most deprived areas of our town, had a child, had far too many cats. She said she was not keeping any of them.Was trying to hold down a job and looked overwhelmed. I care about animals not breeding indiscrimanately, but i have compassion for this woman too. I did not feel like she was on any kind of scam or was in any way a breeder.
It just makes me feel a bit sad really. Anyway, there are much more important things to worry about. I have now taken 2 kittens and they are happy, confident, using the litter tray perfectly (even though she said they werent good at it) and eating well. Have had them checked over. De-flead, given worming tablet too, taken to the vet, booked in for vaxx, and will be spaying them as soon as theyre ready. Hopefully one day i can become a good enough cat owner for you guys. Thankyou for all the advice

@Branleuse I suspect there are many many of us who feel the same and we avoid posting on here (and the dog page!!) as it’s honestly not worth the nasty replies. I just pop over to try and reply to others in a sane way! I can’t be the only one...

I am a responsible pet owner and I never come across this sort of nonsense in real life.

Your kittens sound lovely and I’d have done exactly the same as you.

@Branleuse you really didn’t deserve the sh*tstorm this thread turned into. I hope you have a wonderful time with your gorgeous new kittens! X

Its just so patronising isnt it. You can spend ages googling a specific question, and then as soon as you actually ask about it on here, youre accused of not caring about animal welfare, told you sound stupid, and are not good enough to have a cat. I find it so bizarre.

anyway, here are the boys

Gorgeous 😻

Wee cuties. They look like mine did at that age. Mine are 11 months old now though

Bran the tabby looks like a non fluffy version of one of mine. So beautiful.

Have you tried rescue centres instead?
Kittens from there are vaccinated, fleaed, microwaved, neutered and been checked over by a vet.

Microchipped not microwaved bloody auto correct