How old was your kitten?

[Cassie71]

When you got it? Is there a perfect age? 8 weeks or 15 weeks?

Our latest was probably only about 6 weeks; he was an abandoned feral so we took him in early but we're reasonably experienced cat owners. Definitely too young under normal circumstances.

My 2 were 8 weeks. They were litter trained already and on solid food

12 weeks and 14 weeks respectively. Developmentally that’s about right.

4 months

8 weeks, litter trained and eating well.

13 weeks. Made all the difference. Though we missed out on tiny ickle kitten antics.

Both were rescues and adopted at 10 weeks - 3 years apart.

9 weeks (moggie), 13-14 weeks (three pedigrees). The moggie was an absolute dream from day 1 and was besotted with DH so I don't think it did her any harm. I think she will always be the best cat we ever had. I quite liked that the others were a little older, had both vaccines and had been checked over by a vet twice though it was hard to leave them with the breeder after meeting them.

12 weeks (both, at different times). The rescue I got them both from won't re-home until then. They both came part-vaccinated, and with vouchers from the rescue to pay for their second vaccinations, microchipping and neutering. You do miss some of the ickle kitten fun, but in both cases it seems to have resulted in confident, well-adjusted kittens.

Just got one. He was 11 weeks.

Very confident and it was a very easy transition.

My first was about 13 weeks. Second was 1 year old, rehomed by a lovely woman who was escaping a violent relationship - I felt so awful taking him but sent some photos which hopefully re-assured her he was fine. The third was found aged approx 4 weeks by the roadside. Had to hand feed her - luckily the other two took to her straight away!

About 12 weeks when he appeared. In a bit of a state. He’d been fending for himself after being abandoned.

14 weeks, younger and they miss vital socialisation, kittens also shouldn’t go to their new homes until they are fully vaccinated, ideally neutered as well.

5 weeks - too young. Got from a family member. Lived until almost 19 so no harm done.
12-16 weeks - rescue so no true DOB. She's now three and brilliant.

nearly 11 weeks from Cats Protection.

Both were 12 weeks. Unless it was an emergency, I wouldn’t take a kitten under 12 weeks.

Theoretically, they CAN leave mum after 8 weeks - which is when they get all the “good stuff” they need from her milk ready for jabs. But that extra time is really important for socialisation/learning skills.

Mine were all rescued from the street (by me) so I have no idea. Probably 8-12wk all of them. But if at all possible I'd recommand leaving them with mom until 12-16wk as they have important skills to learn from her. One of mine to this day has this reflex to paw at me like a kitten pushing at the teat and I was told this was a sign of weaning not being done properly.

They're super cute small and it's always tempting to have them as early as possible, but really not the best for them if there's any choice in the matter.

Adopted her last week and she was 15 weeks