When does a kitten become independent?

Question

So I just adopted a kitten from a shelter, I'm not very sure of the age, but not more than a few months. I've only had her for a couple of days, but she cries constantly if I am not in the room or if I'm in the room and not paying attention to her. I know it's early and natural, as she misses her mother and the brother she was caged with... but I am wondering how long this period usually lasts. I am in school and she is such a distraction that I have to lock her in my back bedroom to study... She cries and I hate locking her alone in a room, but it's the only way. I spend about 6 hours a day in class and another 6 studying. I have a friend that wants to take her if I can't keep her. I'm wondering how soon she will get over this? How long before she will be fine on her own?

Answer 1

i have a kitten that is 4 months old. before we got him we got a crazy chihuahua. he usually meows when he is alone in his room, but we come in and he starts purring. now he got used to it, so don't spoil your kitten, give her a room and let her get used to it. don't check on her too much. sometimes we let him out and the dog playfully chases, but you dont need another pet to make your cat happy. buy her a scratching post with other toys hanging.

Answer 2

We have kittens in our house quite often, and because I work from home (artist), I have to deal with kittens pouncing and chewing on my toes or getting into my art supplies for fun and attention.  Now, if I don't work, I don't get paid, so this is an issue.

There are a couple of strategies I use.  First, your kitty needs playtime and your attention for a few hours a day.  Playtime is really important, and bonding with a human.  Toys that they love aren't expensive, you can create them yourself.  A piece of string with a piece of rag tied to the end of it...  a sock with a tennis ball and a handful of catnip thrown in... a box with "windows" and "doors" cut in it, with a ball or toy mouse in the bottom of it...  anything noisy like a ball with a bell in it.

Kittens mellow with age as they become cats.  The process is gradual, and each kitten will mature at a different rate.  In the mean time, play with your kitten, you probably need a break from your work every once in a while too!

Last of all, letting kitty sleep in your lap is a great way to bond and let the kitten feel wanted.  You can still work while kitty takes a nap.

And really finally... if you can't afford a bit of time with the kitty then maybe finding another home for it might be best, and if you really want a cat, look for an older, calmer one.  Most shelters and foster homes have older cats looking for a good home.

:-)

Answer 3

Sadly, kittens should not be adopted as singles into a home where they have no companions.  Kittens that grow up as singles are a large source of cats that are turned back into shelters for behavioral issues.  Kittens learn not only from mom, but also from their siblings.  They teach each other not to bite and how to play.  They also keep each other company, kittens are very social and unfortunately, we cannot replace a cat in a cat's life.

However, shelters have a rough decision to make.  If they chose to only place them properly in pairs or with existing cats, they would have to kill more of them.  The risk they take is that you, the adopter, will provide the extra assistance your kitty needs to grow up happy and social and be a forever friend.

Best suggestion?  Adopt another kitten friend.  They will benefit each other and be less work for you and more love for you...double bonus.

Can't?  Then be prepared to be a kitten friend for your kitten.  They need hours of play and stimulation.  You need to show her how to have fun, how to use toys and how to play.  She has no idea how to entertain herself, try playing as if you were a cat with a ball or string, let her watch you and join in.  

Some cats just never do well without a friend, some do OK.  Unfortunately, everyone thinks they want a kitten and at that age, you cannot always tell which kind of cat they will grow up to be.  Just like with kids, both nature and nurture plays a part!

Answer 4

There are alot of things you can do to keep the kitten busy.  If she is quiet for a little bit you can give her a few treats reinforcing good behavior.  If she starts meowing again you can try hiding treats around the house and that will get her mind off her old family.  You shold try playing with her more to also get her mind off of it and try to make her feel like she's at home.  

Answer 5

Mine was like that till about 5 months. I had to stop him coming into the room I had the computer in.  He would try to chew the cords of the computer and he would cry uncontrolably unless I'd let him in.

One of the things that got me through those times was just crumple up some paper into a ball and throw the ball just to get the cats attention you will go through a lot of paper and the cat will have a ball playing with the ball.