Hi there!
As some of you would be aware, I will be getting a Raggie kitten in Dec and the breeder I've chosen seems to be the only one in my area that lets kittens go home at 10 weeks old. The rest have the base 12 week requirement. Is this something I should be concerned about? Will the age difference mean he is less socialised than a normal 12 week old kitten?
What is everyone's opinion on what age a kitten should be released? There is also a breeder in my area who doesn't release her kittens until 14-16 weeks old. Is that too old to build bond with a new owner?
Thanks
I don't think that is a drastic difference between 12 weeks, I'd be more worried if they let them go home at 8 weeks then 10! I am picking my kitten up at 13 weeks old - my breeder normally does 12 but I had some things going on...I highly doubt 14 weeks is too old to bond with the new owner.
I'm no expert tho!
You are right that they are red flags, since most responsible breeders early speuter and let kittens go home at 12 weeks or older and, as you note, some wait a bit longer. The concern is that the breeder is cutting costs over the best interests of the kittens and the breed - but that may not be the purpose at all. You just need to see if there are any other red flags or whether the other information you have puts any concerns to rest. You can expect a breeder to be willing to delay a kitten's going home, so you may want to ask if the kitten can stay a bit longer based on your understanding that that is better.
will the kitten be fully vaccinated at 10 weeks old? Here in the UK a kitten isn't fully vaccinated until 12 weeks so kittens go at 13. My last litter didn't leave until they were 14.5 weeks because I miss-timed the mating and was in the US when they were 13 weeks old. If you look at Louise's (Peachnose) posts about Snowdrop you will see that the kittens weren't disadvantged by staying longer here.
We got Zeke @ 10 weeks and there were no red flags he was just ready but we also had him neutered as her vet said not before 5 months but Mykah was not ready so we did not get him til 12 weeks. I did not see any difference except Mykah the 12 week one actually was not as social as Zeke.
Better go.
Thanks for the replies, guys!
The breeder's website stipulates that all kittens leave fully vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered and with 6 weeks free pet insurance. Some breeders in Queensland and South Australia seem to be flexible on the release date for their kittens, some go by how developed the kitten is. Just isn't a common thing in NSW/VIC. Hmm, ideas?
I live in South Australia and both my Ragdolls were 13 weeks old when they came home.
I would definately not buy a kitten under 12 weeks old. In SA you cannot sell a purebred (registered) kitten under 10 weeks old, and I think 8 weeks is the minimum legal age (not 100% sure though). I believe QLD has the lowest age for kittens allowed to go home. There is many breeders in NSW and VIC who go by how developed the kitten is, its just usually around the 12 week mark. I have seen many breeders keep tiny kittens for months because the kitten is not developed enough.. it is just that they generally ARE ready by 12 weeks. I would not buy a kitten 10 weeks old though, even if many breeders do sell them that young. Ragdolls are a slow developing breed.
All the best on making your decision
(05-25-2010 07:41 AM)WildFeline Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the replies, guys!
The breeder's website stipulates that all kittens leave fully vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered and with 6 weeks free pet insurance. Some breeders in Queensland and South Australia seem to be flexible on the release date for their kittens, some go by how developed the kitten is. Just isn't a common thing in NSW/VIC. Hmm, ideas?
It worries me that they get neutered so young or are neutered at 10 weeks and sent home right away. I think your best bet would be to go with the breeder who allows her kittens to go home at 14 weeks, but I also don't think that you completely need to rule out the 10 weeks breeder. Do like Jan asked and maybe see why she lets them go at that age and if she would be willing to let you pick him/her up at 12 weeks old?
Good luck!
Kittens are not "fully vaccinated" (3/1 shots) until they are 20 WEEKS OLD. Almost everyone lets kittens go home before that. The feline practitioners recommendations of 2006 called for the last 3/1 shot be after the kitten was 16 weeks old. However, recent studies indicate it may be best to extend that to 20 weeks. The issue for new owners should be whether or not the kittens are properly vaccinated up to the age at which they are sent to the new homes. How many 3/1 shots that will be will depend on the age at which the first shot is given and the age when they go home.
We got Phoebe at 14 weeks old and no issues whatsoever with bonding.