8 week old new kittens - handle them or not?

[Marlus]

We've brought home to 8.5 week old kittens today, adopted from a farm. They are happy to explore and are playing with each other, but do not like us to come too close. There seems to be mixed advice, though, on whether you should start handling them right away. They had some of this in their old place, but maybe not too much. Do we leave it for now or try? If we wait, how long should we give it?

Thanks, glad to know it’s not just me that think they’re lovely - they’ve converted me into a cat-person. Now I just need to find out how to teach them not to go into some parts of the house. Gratuitous extra pictures of them no longer hiding in their basket

Snorting at teaching them not to go in some bits of the house! It’s THEIR house now, and you are no more than their staff! You will soon learn your place!

We brought our kittens home at the same young age. We kept ours in the (large) kitchen diner for the first week and always when we were out at work. We brought them into the living room with us after a week to explore a new territory but only when we stayed with them. As they have each other to play with we also found ours didn't want lots of cuddles at first as they have so much energy. I would sit on the floor in the kitchen to work during the day and allow them to approach me. They started sleeping on me or next to me within the first week. It just takes them time to get used to you. We bought a little collapsible pet pen on amazon and put their bed in there. We never closed it, the mesh door was constantly rolled up but they knew it was their safe space and they loved it. They used it for the first 10 weeks or so. They have had the run of the house since then and now go outside.

(By the way, I recommend the surepet products (the WiFi cat flap and microchip bowls). Though expensive, they are worth the money in my opinion).

Forgot to say, after the first few weeks (and after their playtime!) they were very happy to come and cuddle.

Thanks liquoricecravings, I’ll look up those products. We’ve gone down the handle handle handle route and it seems to be working. They’re definitely happier when the younger kids aren’t around, though. I hope that will still change, but I guess the kids will just grow up anyway and be a bit more steady with them.

leglump I’m sure we’ll be dedicated servants, but there’s no way I can make and keep the kids’ bedrooms kitten safe. Not sure what to do there...

What Needtheadvice and the others have said. You have about 3 weeks to socialise them.

It's also worth doing things like putting a collar or harness on, you may never intend to use one but if you end up having to then they retain the memory and tolerate them better.

Yes leave them alone when sleeping and let them have a 'human free space' their basket / bed is ideal.

@Marlus

leglump I’m sure we’ll be dedicated servants, but there’s no way I can make and keep the kids’ bedrooms kitten safe. Not sure what to do there...

Then you'll need to keep the doors closed.

Although one of mine has learned to open doors

DD 2 keeps her door closed to keep the cats out.
DD1 room quickly became the bed they slept under when we first had them but now they hardly go up there maybe they will again in the winter.

sashh that's true about the harness (and collar). Did this with my cats when they were older as they would come with us on holidays and it was needed when they needed toilet or just some fresh air. Near busy roads we didn't risk them getting spooked although they never left our side. Only reason they went with it was cause they knew me and trusted me but they found the harness difficult to accept. Collar was never an issue as they had those on from a young age, but the collar wasn't safe enough in certain situations.

When my sons cat had 4 kittens I handled them for 2 mins at a time 5 or 6 times a day from one week old. This has resulted in super friendly cats who do not scratch or bite us and come running when I call their name. At 12 weeks 2 went to my ex husband and we kept two. You need to let them get used to your scent. Place a worn sock in their basket. Stroke them with one finger to start with. Stroke when you feed them. The more you handle the tamer they will become. After 12-16 weeks it gets harder to start to handle.

Quick update: they are totally settled. The ginger is more like a dog in the amount of affection he gives and asks for, the b&w loves being stroked but not being picked up and held. They were neutered today, but still in great spirits!

Oh aren’t they just beautiful! Glad to hear they’re settled in well. 😊