138 Chapter 9At what age should a kitten leave its mother to go to its new home?
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) recommends that kittens should
not go to their new homes until they are at least 12–13 weeks of age, and a recent
study suggests that 14 weeks may be the optimum minimum age for homing, to
improve the kittens’ welfare and prevent future behaviour problems such as aggres-
sion and stereotypic behaviours (Ahola et al., 2017). However, many non-pedigree
kittens are sold or passed on to their new homes when they are around 8 weeks of
age, or sometimes younger, around 6–7 weeks of age. Kittens may be able to eat
solid food at 6–8 weeks of age but are unlikely at such a young age to be fully
weaned, and are less likely to be emotionally prepared to leave the nest, which can
lead to future behaviour problems.
If acquiring an adult cat or older kitten
● Try to find out as much as possible about the cat’s past. A cat or kitten from a
feral background, or one where it has received very little positive socialization
with people and habituation to family life, is less likely to become a suitable pet.
The cat may eventually become accustomed to, and even become closely bonded
with, its owner and close members of the household but it is very likely to remain
fearful of all other people. Also, life as a pet in a normal family home can be
highly stressful for such cats.
● Make sure that you are able to spend time interacting and handling the cat or
kitten and that it appears confident and friendly, or recovers fairly quickly from
any initial fear or trepidation.
● If taking on an adult cat, ensure that it is neutered and fully vaccinated and free
from disease and parasites, especially if you have other cats at home.
Bringing your New Cat or Kitten Home
Being taken to a new home, away from the comfortable security of mother, littermates
and familiar surroundings, can be a highly stressful time for a kitten. An adult cat can
also experience stress when being taken away from a home to which it has become
accustomed. Making the transition as easy as possible for the new cat or kitten is there-
fore an important factor in helping your new pet settle in.
● A few days before bringing your new cat or kitten home, take a cloth containing
the scent of your home to the place where the new cat or kitten is resident, e.g. the
breeder’s home or rescue centre. Ask for this to be placed with your new cat to
allow him to become accustomed to the scent of his new home.
Preparation of a ‘safe room’
Prepare a ‘safe’ room for the new cat or kitten. This should be somewhere quiet, away
from other pets (especially other cats), children, loud noises and lively activity.