[Anitajoy]

I am aware that a kitten should not be taken away from its mother before 8-10 weeks but my son has bought a 5 week old kitten from a lady that said that she doesn't have the mother anymore, something about not being allowed to have cats where she lived.
We have read up about the behavioural problems that may arise etc and are wondering is there anything we can do to counteract this, although this little cutie is using the litter tray well and eating the wet kitten food and drinking water she is pretty timid.
Is there anything we could do in order for this little kitten to grow up to be a normal balanced cat??

Concerned.

[tickle]

You are right, any animal, kitten, puppy should not be taken away earlier then eight weeks, but this is a rule of thumb. They are ready to go when they are weaned, but kittens are sometimes abandoned earlier and survive this.

The only thing we have to worry about is their health prior to being let lose in the way of immunities. Many kittens suffer from distemper which means the immune system as broken down; sadly not many survive.

Kittens are amazingly resilient nonetheless, but your kitten should be vet checked; find out age for immunizations. Male or female should be neutered or spayed, whichever, but not until a certain age.

Behavioral problems? No I don't think so. Lots of love, good care and cats will seek their own level, of course, play time teaches them boundaries with their human friends and I am quite sure your son will have enough energy for that. Of course she is timid, but she will quickly get to know you.

No, no hard and fast rules to raising a kitten. They grow amazingly fast.

I would not raise the kitten on just wet food alone, purchase a dry kitten food as well.

[joypulv]

I agree 100% with tickle.
I was given a barn kitten who may have been younger than 8 weeks - very tiny anyway. She had a lot of anxiety for about 10 days, and has been fine now for the last 3 years.

[Anitajoy]

Thanks for that advice guys! Also my son lives downstairs in the granny flat and is worried what my foxie/jack Russell will do to the kitten and so he's keeping her indoors but should we take her outside now to get her used to the outdoors or wait a bit longer?
Obviously I will lock my dog upstairs when this happens.

Concerned.

[joypulv]

No outdoors yet.
It's OK that she isn't getting used to the outdoors, because cats don't obey commands to come, love to be out after dark, and are too easily killed by larger animals and birds of prey.
If you have a cage, take her out in it, with a cardboard box for her to hide under inside.

[Wondergirl]

Are you planning to make her an outdoors cat? The dangers of getting killed by cars or predators is huge. Please rethink that, if that's what you are going to do. I've had rescued, former outdoors cats all my life that have been perfectly happy indoors.

[Anitajoy]

Thanks guys! No not planning on making her an outdoor cat but was wondering how much fresh air they need, that's all! Haha this so foreign to me, I'm a dog person! And yes my son has a couple of boxes under his bed and guess who has been under there sitting on them?

[Wondergirl]

We open our windows in the spring, make sure the screens are on securely, and then the cats make the window sills their stadium seat to watch birds, squirrels, and people who walk their dogs. This is easy with double-sash windows, but difficult with casement windows unless you build a platform under the window or have a chest there that the cat can sit on and look out. Also, there are all sorts of things around the house that can be turned into safe toys and things to play in--there are cat web sites that give lots of ideas.

[Alty]

Welcome to kittenhood. I recently made that leap myself. Our kitten is now 11 weeks old.

I would recommend lots of kitten safe toys to play with. They love anything that moves, and will leap and attack. Also a scratching post is a must, unless you don't mind kitty using your furniture.

Get kitty used to getting his nails clipped now. I started by just touch our kittens paws all the time, and now he loves to have them held and doesn't mind nail clipping time at all.

I'd move on to dry food as soon as possible, but I have to say, at 9 weeks, when we got our kitten, he still needed to have his food wetted down for him.

Congrats, and we'd love to see pictures. :)

[Anitajoy]

Haha! Thanks Alty, we were just discussing a scratching post. Love the quotes!
Wondergirl thank you, been leaving the window and curtain open for the little cutie in the daytime much to my sons disgust, he's a bit of a caveman! Ooh this kitten thing might be a good idea lol.

[Alty]

Haha! Thanks Alty, we were just discussing a scratching post. Love the quotes!
Wondergirl thank you, been leaving the window and curtain open for the little cutie in the daytime much to my sons disgust, he's a bit of a caveman! Ooh this kitten thing might be a good idea lol.

Hey, that's why I got my son a kitten. My son is 15, loves to sit in the basement playing video games, after getting up at the buttcrack of 2pm, in the summer and on weekends.

This kitten has been the best thing for him. He has to get up because Kashi (that's the kittens name) won't let him sleep in. And playing video games when a kitten is attacking your foot, demanding attention, isn't easy. It's win win! :)

I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Kitten pictures! I mean kitten pictures! :)

[Anitajoy]

Haha! Hilarious Alty! By the sounds of it we are in different countries, you having a basement and all! But we have the same problems... lazy sons that is!
We are in Australia and mine is 19 and works nights in a bottle shop, liquor store to you lol anyway he stays up all night gaming, face booking etc... And sleeps most of the day of course, bloody vampire!
Anyway thanks for your help!