What age can kittens leave their mother?

4 - 6 weeks is the usual recommended age.

Age Of Kittens

If you start with a healthy kitten, you're more likely to avoid health problems later on. While there's no substitute for a good veterinary exam, here are a few things to help you assess the health of a kitten:

Age - Kittens are ready to leave their mothers at around 10-12 weeks of age. While younger kittens may be cute, separating them from their mothers too soon may lead to health and behavior problems.

Body condition - Look for a kitten that appears to be well proportioned and symmetrical. A kitten that is too thin, with visible ribs, for example, may already have health problems. On the other hand, an overly rounded belly on a kitten may be a sign of roundworms. In either case, make sure the kitten receives a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian before you make a commitment.

Temperament - Choose a kitten that appears bright, alert and playful. If possible, watch how it interacts with littermates and people. While signs of behavior extremes - either aggressiveness or shyness - may be only temporary, they may indicate the true nature of your pet.

Eyes - Both eyes should be bright and clear, fully opened, staring in the same direction and without discharge. The third eyelid should be hidden. Is the animal visual - can it follow an object with its eyes?

Mouth and gums - should be pink, and the breath odor-free.

Nose - Should be slightly damp with no discharge or crusting. Sneezing may indicate the presence of a virus. Breathing should be normal, and not labored.

Ears - Should be clean and without discharge, odor or signs of inflamation. If the kitten shakes its head or scratches frequently, or if you notice a dirty or waxy buildup in the ears, it could be a sign or ear mites or an infection.

Limbs - Watch the kitten walk. There should be no signs of lameness. Some cats have extra toes (polydactyls). Their paws may look like mittens, but they work perfectly normal.

Rear - Look for a clean rectal area. Signs of diarrhea may indicate a health problem.

Fur - Should be soft and glossy. With your hand, gently push the fur in the opposite direction and look for fleas and black specks or "flea dirt". Bald spots or scales on the skin may be a sign of ringworm. Both of these conditions can be passed to humans. Also check for red, inflammed skin and lesions wich may be signs of allergies or other health problems

4-6 weeks is way too young. Better to be 8-10 weeks for healthy happy kittens.

You can begin to offer soft solid foods at 3 1/2 weeks. By 4 1/2 weeks the kittens could be weened. Purchase cans of gourmet cat food in chicken and bveef and smear a bit on the kittens pallet. It will soon get the idea. DO NOT need fish flavored because it will be a fussy eater. Dont forget to offer formula in a bowl. You can also offer the kitten strained meat baby food, but make sure it has NO onion powder. Baby food is low in calcium though. Slowly substitute moistened kitten chow for canned food. By the time a kitten is 10 weeks old it should be eating dry kitten chow.

4-6 weeks is way way way too young. They are not even eating solid food by then. 8 weeks is the minimum. Most good breeders won't let kittens go unless they are 12 weeks because they still have a lot of things to learn from their mother. They learn how to behave and use the litter box at that time. Don't let them go until AT LEAST 8 weeks. And remember 12 weeks is better.

8 weeks old

Minimum eight weeks, or when they start eating kitten chow more than they nurse.

normally 8-10 weeks is the best

for healthy kittens to turn to cats they should have thier mothers milk for at least 5 weeks. If you pull them to soon, it does not ensure a long healthy life.

6-8 weeks. they need more than 4weeks to learn from their mom how to be a cat. at 4 weeks start them on soft food and at 5 weeks worm them.