Now the wait begins

[NikkiA]

Wait the extra weeks.

Jarvis, our F3 boy, came home at 8 weeks and it was way too young. His breeder said he was ready and we did not know any better.

He was scared, he was jumpy, and we had never had a kitten that young before (our F5 Diablo came home at 14 weeks). And we made it worse by not understanding. It took a very long time - almost two years- to really get Jarvis to a place where he is happy and trusting. He is still a nervous cat, and I have scars from the times he would get scared and scratch me when panicked in the past. I have a 5" one on my stomach from when we napping together and an ambulance went by, and he panicked.

Every time he jumps at a noise I feel like I have failed him. Leave your baby with its breeder and its mom for a few extra weeks. Believe me, it is worth it to have a more confident kitten.

As for bonding, that works just fine with an older kitten. As I type this diablo is in my lap, and F4 Mickey (came home at 12 weeks) is at my feet (Jarvis and mike are havering a bit of a snuggle right now).

 

[dice]

aha, yeah, Spontaneity is one special girl. She's a rare f3 that love to cuddle and lay on me lap. She has to be by me no mater what. laying on me lap while posting right now.

Understand the decision on waiting a few more weeks, my breeder insisted that kits are fully weaned, and on a wet and high protein dry diet before shipping. Both f3's were at least 12 weeks old before being released.

Sampson was purchased about a month after Spot was home. He was a "bargain" f3, being that he is an albino black. Black spots on black. Was a ready to go purchase, seems nobody wanted him but me. When I went to pick him up at the airport, he was meowing loudly, heard him 100 feet down the terminal, of course I responded with an welcoming MeRRrrow, which quieted him. Porter say's, he must be yours, replied I think so. Yep, it was me boy. He was mainly hungry, very hungry, and feed him some wet food once in the car.

Sam has been a handful at times, has bleed me more than once, but then, Spot has given me a thrashing or two. Sampson is, p.s., the cat that bites. One must pay close attention when petting him, stroke the wrong area, wrongly, and he'll nip at ya. and when he wants love he'll come up beside me, with his, please love me, mild meow, and a single claw prick to my arm, signaling that now would be a very good time to pet me. Find it's best not wait for the second request.

 

[aharter]

Thank you guys for your help and suggestions and I am glad that this was brought up to me! I wouldn't have known better otherwise. I just emailed the breeder and asked for a pickup date when the kitten is 12 weeks which would be December 12. We are remodeling some things anyway so now we won't have to rush so much . It makes me wonder why some breeders say it's ok for the kittens to go young. I definitely don't want my kitten to have any issues all because I brought him home too early. Dice, I am enjoying your stories of your kitties antics LOL. And nikkia thank you for providing an example of why I should wait to bring home.

 

[aharter]

She just told me she will hold my kitten as long as I want! Yay! So official pickup date is now dec. 12 or 13. Depending if I can take off work dec. 12.

 

[NikkiA]

She just told me she will hold my kitten as long as I want! Yay! So official pickup date is now dec. 12 or 13. Depending if I can take off work dec. 12.

That is fantastic!

I know there have been others who have brought a kitten home young, and everything is fine, but I really think you give the kitten the best chance of being well adjusted and adapting well to your home when you wait a bit longer.

Think of it as an extra month to pick out toys, and if you are already remodeling, a chance to look into cat friendly design!

 

[aharter]

That is true nikkia I have a whole extra 3 weeks to make everything perfect for kitty's arrival!

 

[Patti]

I'm glad the breeder is willing to hold the kitten until it is older, now you have to reset your count down!

 

[aharter]

Countdown reset to 5 1/2 weeks

 

[Pam Flachs]

Great news! Not only will this be better for the kitten, your remodeling project should hopefully be done by then.

And yes, a month more to make everything perfect as can be for the new arrival

 

[dice]

ahart, nothing gets me more excited than talking about my Pride mates. Have gone to extremes to insure solid bonding with both, while trying to maintain dominance. Not always successful.

Having 2 sv's and one domestic, usually take all three to the Vet at the same time. Last group visit to the vet, made a mistake of putting me domestic, Isis, in her carrier first. She snarled and hissed loud enough that it set both Sam and Spot off, and their wild side kicked in.

Sampson literally tore me up, tried to slip by him and he pounced with all four paws and fangs, lacerated both legs and arms, had to get the leather gloves out. Felt sorry for the Vet, he asked who's blood is this, pointing to the rattling penned beasts, umm, mine, fair warning, they are not happy, nope, note happy at all.

Have to laugh, next visit took just Spot on leash, have never seen the vet so jumpy, Spot had her ears back and snarling a bit, he looks at me and asks if she's safe to handle, I laughed, told Spot to behave herself, and all was good.