Yes should know but don't always know, like Doctors!

Having had my moggies @ 7 weeks and peds @ 13 weeks I prefer the latter.

Gives the kittens longer to learn to be a "cat" too!

I have 2 persians that left there mum 2 early 1 was 8 weeks old and his brother was 6 weeks old rang her up about the second 1 and it was a case of if you dont take him now then someone else will. THey have both had stomach problems the first one been the worst, but me been a soft touch got the second one from same breeder and new he was coming into a home were he would be well looked after i had to feed him on lactol kitten milk till he was 6 months old and they are both fed on hills science plan to prevent them having stomach problems.

these kittens are lucky to have someone like you

what a terrible breeder

Sounds like you have made your mind up-and it's up to you but for me-no way-when he says leave mum-are you sure he doesn't just mean remove mum from kitts,coz they don't need her,coz their you have no way of being sure that their new owners will vaccinate them accordingly so in this instance imo it's if you can live with the consequences9should their be any) and to be honest i would not buy any pedigree that wasn't only not vaccinated but allowed to leave at such an age-in fact it would start bells ringing
Think like this-if they were your human babies-would you take the risk or do everything you could to give them the very best chance in their journey thru life?

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Dogs have owners, Cats have slaves

Burnthwaites Siamese

I haven't made up my mind - i mean I do think you need to be sensible - kittens need to be eating solids and standing well on their own feet and i agree about the vaccinations but i think i will stagger them going because the thought of all the kittens going overnight does worry me - if i will feel lost when all the kittens have gone to new homes i can't imagine how mummy will feel?

I have no idea so this isnt an opinion just an experience, Ive just bought (2weeks ago) bought a kitten, he was 9weeks when i had him fully weaned and litter trained and absolutely fantastic. I was given a tin of lactol to feed him on and when i went the vets last Thursday to get his first injection the vet asked me if he was eating/drinking ok.... to which i replied "like a pig" lol and explained i give him lactol still and she told me to take him off it if hes fully weaned but he can have it if he likes it (he still gets a bowl a day cause he loves it) Hes settled in really well and has had no problems hes a pleasure to have around, when hes not breaking my vases

Good thread, Informative and everyone has their own opinions I think its personal preference as some breeders like to know their kittens go fully vaccinated, some think the new homes should make their decision, and others like to know the kitten is of an age/temperament suitable to go to a new home.

You really should wait until 13 weeks. You can still stagger them, besides mum will prob be too busy calling to worry. you could loose alot of potential buyers selling at that age. not a good idea i am afraid,.

They are very spoilt now and can normally be found on a bed somewere or laid in sun in garden. Both had to be shaved recently as there fur had got knotted due to weather and me been ill and at docs/ hospital alot. Roony the eldest has just turned 2 & snowy will be 2 in september so she bred them more or less straight away again. They are like babies though and dont like me out of there site roony especially he suffers with anxiety attacks according to vet as he will start wetting in conservatory and house if i go away takes him a couple of weeks to settle down. Not sure if this could be due to him leaving his mum 2 soon.

Unless a vet is specialised (eg. cardiologist), then take his advice as you would a GP. The vets can advise on this fact, that fact, and the other fact - but they're not trained in behaviour - that takes an observer (the breeder).

My experience has been varied. I stick to the 13 week rule (though this is sometimes by shortened by a couple of days to help the new owner out if the 13 weeks falls just after a weekend).
I'm sat here with seven Bengal kittens on my lap. Three of them are nine weeks old and there's no way I would rehome them. Bengals are mucky buggers. These guys are covered in food and poo (and yes, they are sitting on me!) and look a state. They haven't learnt to clean themselves properly yet and their mucky habits can lead to bouts of the runs.

We also have two eight week old Abyssinians. Their cleaning and litter box behaviour is impeccable. They don't seem to want a warm lap to sit on -they're too busy 'killing' everything in sight. Disregarding the injections side of things, these two would be able to go to a new home with no problems at all.

When it comes to leaving mum I also have different views than other posters.
Our kittens leave their mums when they want to - or when mum wants to leave them.
We have a mother who gives birth to wonderful show quality kittens, but is trying to get rid of them after five weeks. Six weeks is tops. If she is shut in a pen with them she howls to get out and turns her back on them. Then she will pace around the pen trilling at them to try to get them out. I see this as her trying to 'force' them to be independant. She has had two litters and has done it with both. She will get into the pen filled with milk but will refuse to feed her kittens. I can't say her kittens are bothered at this point though - as they're usually early weaners.
Keeping a mum with their kittens for the full 13 weeks just isn't done here - I haven't got a mum that is that maternal - or kittens that are that needy. Once the kittens are weaned they are looking to us for warmth and cuddles.

Finally - we did have a woman come round to look at our Abyssinians - twice. Second time she brought her husband with her, who whipped out his stephoscope and started inspecting the kittens. My husband was most surprised. It turned out the husband was a vet, but they didn't ask permission to do it. This same woman had asked that she take our Abys home at the age of five weeks, stating that she was a qualified veterinarian nurse which meant they would be in 'safe hands'.

The arrogance of these people can be amazing, so once again I would say when it comes to rehoming, take the vet's advice with a pinch of salt.

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Beautiful Bengal Kittens from Dollycats
Beautiful Savannah Kittens from Teardrops Savannahs

have to agree with you there (savannah) about the vets !!! their information and advice is not always worth listening too

as one vet vaccinated my cat with kitten vaccinations as i was 4 day late for his booster and also vaccinated with chamledia which i never asked for !! and now my cat is really unwell and very under weight


good luck anyhow

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