When Can a Kitten Go Home? Vaccines, Age & Development

One of the most common questions we receive at our Cattery is, “When can my kitten come home?”

Some people have heard that kittens can go to new homes at eight weeks old, and in many places this is legally allowed. However, legal does not always mean ideal. When it comes to a kitten’s long-term health, immune strength, and emotional development, those extra few weeks make a real difference.

The right time is not only about age. It is about how well the kitten is protected by vaccines, how mature the immune system is, and whether the kitten is truly ready to handle the stress of moving to a new environment.

Why Age Alone Is Not Enough

Between eight and sixteen weeks of age, kittens are still changing very quickly. Their immune system is not fully mature yet, and they are also learning important social skills from their mother and littermates. This is the period when they learn how to interact properly, how to play gently, and how to feel confident in the world around them.

When a kitten leaves too early, we sometimes see more stress, more adjustment issues, and in some cases, health or behavior problems that could have been avoided by waiting just a little longer.

Understanding the 8, 12, and 16 week vaccines

Kitten vaccines are not a single event. They are given in a series because the immune system needs time and repeated stimulation to build reliable protection.

Most kittens receive their first core vaccine at around eight weeks of age, a second one at around twelve weeks, and a final booster at around sixteen weeks.

Here is something many new owners do not realize: at eight weeks old, a kitten still carries antibodies from their mother. These maternal antibodies are helpful, but they can also interfere with the first vaccine. This means that the protection from the first shot is sometimes incomplete or unreliable.

That is why the second vaccine at around twelve weeks is so important. It acts as a booster and usually provides much more stable and effective immune protection. By this point, the kitten’s immune system is in a much better position to handle new environments and new challenges.

So, when can a kitten go to a new home?

At Delimento Cattery, our standard practice is to let kittens go to their new homes at around twelve weeks of age, after they have received two core vaccines. By this point, their immune system is much more stable, and they are generally better prepared both physically and emotionally, for the transition to a new environment.

That said, from a purely health perspective, the best option is always to finish the full vaccination series before going to a new home, which means staying until around sixteen weeks of age.

If you choose to take your kitten home at around twelve weeks, you can simply continue the remaining care with your own local veterinarian. This includes the final booster at around sixteen weeks and neutering or spaying at the appropriate age. This is a very common and perfectly good option.

If, on the other hand, you don’t mind waiting a little longer, you may also choose to leave your kitten with us until everything is completed. In this case, your kitten will stay in our home, continue to be raised and socialized here, receive the final 16-week vaccine, and can also be neutered or spayed before going to their new home.

Both approaches are completely fine. The right choice simply depends on your personal preference, schedule, and what feels most comfortable for you.

Check our Avaialble British Kittens🐱

A note about earlier pickup

In the past, for families with previous cat experience, we have occasionally allowed kittens to go home a little earlier, around ten weeks, after carefully reviewing each situation.

However, our general and strongly preferred practice remains around twelve weeks, after two vaccines, because this gives the kitten a much safer and more stable start.

Our Philosophy

At Delimento Cattery, we never rush kittens out the door. Early life is critical for both physical health and emotional development, and our goal is always to send kittens to their new families confident, well-socialized, and properly cared for.

If you are not sure which option suits you better, we are always happy to discuss it with you based on your schedule, experience, and plans.