Getting a younger kitten at half price .. Is it really a good deal?

Kittens below the age of 12 weeks - should not be without their mother

Ever wonder why a seemingly similar kitten is significantly cheaper from a non registered breeder (Backyard Breeders) vs a Registered Cattery?

Studies from registered catteries have found that 7.2% of all kittens are stillborn with another 9.1% not surviving its first vaccination and deworming.

Similar studies from unethical breeders were not done as most sell their kittens prior to their first vaccination. However, postmortem studies found that an estimated 55 percent of non pedigree kittens even those that were store bought were identified with infectious diseases. (Veterinary Study) Others were found to have congenital or nutritional abnormalities.
Have you health tested your unregistered kitten? Did you know, a full test panel would cost upwards of $500.

There are certain popular breeds that should never be purchased from non-registered breeders or a pet store due to their history of inherent congenital and hereditary issues.

A close to 9 week kitten playing with Christmas decor

The Cute Kitten Factor is so difficult to resist

Why then do people still persist in purchasing young kittens from unethical breeders prior to 9 weeks of age and undertake the high possibility of kitten death and disease?
It appears that the initial cost savings seems too huge a temptation, the cute kitten factor plays apart as much as the misconception that the earlier you get the kitten the earlier it will be socialized.

This is nothing further from the truth. These myths are purported by such breeders as mothers are malnourished and unable to care for kittens. These malnourished queens are an indicator that the kittens are fed a inappropriate commercial or homemade diet to keep costs low.

Unregistered breeders take advantage of this early window where kittens of all breeds look generally similar to convince an unknowing buyer that they have gotten a pure-bred kitten. Many buyers have never seen a pedigree kitten and refer to images from the internet that can be mislabeled ….

A kitten’s digestive tract undergoes a lot of stress from 4 weeks to 11 weeks of age and being with mum helps to reduce this stress.

Healthy mothers, on a premium diet are able to nurse their kittens well past 12 weeks of age. This is one reason why kittens should not be removed from their mums or siblings prior to 13 weeks of age.( Video on vaccinations for kittens.)

Unregistered breeders cannot price their kittens appropriately , they create a false sense of urgency for kittens to be rehomed before 9 weeks simply because costs and resources required for the proper care of kittens increase exponentially after 8 weeks.

Unethical breeders work in the shadows. They have not invested in proper health testing, or nutrition in their breeding cats and lack the necessary support from vets, mentors and research articles to properly care for mums and litters. They usually lack finances to intervene when illness and complications occur. Simple things like a safe open space for kittens to explore as well as multiple litter boxes for disease prevention require resources. These breeders choose an easy way out, the same attitude that they have towards the care of the kitten they are selling. As studies already suggest, up to 55% of all kittens from backyard breeders suffer an infectious disease that may only manifest later and would be exceptionally costly to treat or manage.

In addition, these kittens may develop behavioral problems. Bringing one home at such a young age or getting them from breeders that cage them or mums during this time may result in these kittens developing behavioral issues like anxiety, or even aggression at a later stage.

Mum or siblings are best in properly educating a kitten.. watching Jackson Galaxy and asking experts for assistance helps.. but isn’t prevention better than cure?

This is why most rescue groups encourage adoption of young cats or kittens in pairs.

The right age to welcoming a kitten home, should always be after they have completed at least 2 vaccinations, deworming and parasite treatments.

Remember, a pet is for life…. let’s do all we can to better their lives.