Why kittens and puppies stay with their mother until 8 weeks
Young kittens and puppies need their mother and littermates for the first two months. Why early separation harms them, and how to check a young pet's age.
We often see listings for kittens and puppies aged 4 or 5 weeks, usually "so it gets used to us while it's small". In fact, a young animal taken from its mother too early misses things that matter for its health and behaviour, and they are hard to make up later.
What the mother and litter teach
- Eating: the mother starts her young on solid food at about 3 to 4 weeks, and weaning takes time. Weaning too early can cause serious health problems.
- Immunity: her milk carries antibodies that help protect them in their first weeks.
- Behaviour: with their littermates they learn to play without biting hard and to read their own species. Kittens also learn to use the litter from their mother.
- Getting used to the world: the sensitive period for getting used to people and sounds runs from about 3 to 8 weeks in kittens, and up to 3 or 4 months in puppies. A good breeder uses it while the young are still with their mother.
Why 8 weeks?
- It's the minimum agreed in many countries. In the UK, for example, the government says puppies and kittens should never be sold under 8 weeks, and that buyers should see the young animal with its mother.
- Cat welfare charities advise that kittens stay with their mother until at least 8 to 10 weeks.
- As far as we know, Egyptian law sets no minimum age, but BesBes applies 8 weeks to every sale or adoption listing for a cat or dog.
Signs of early separation
- It still isn't eating well on its own, or it suckles on blankets or your fingers.
- Hard biting in play, and extra fear of noises and people.
- Weakness, diarrhoea or low energy. If you see these, call your vet the same day.
How to check the age
- Ask for the birth date and the vaccination card, and when the first vaccine was given.
- Ask to see the mother, or photos and a video of the litter with her.
- Teeth and size give a rough idea, and your vet can estimate the age at the first check-up.
- Be wary of a seller who says "it's big and eats on its own" about a pet that looks under two months.
Ready for a new pet? Read your kitten's first week or your puppy's first week.