Why Kittens Should Stay with Their Breeder, Mom, and Siblings Until 3 Months Old
Looking for Scottish Fold Kittens for Sale? Here’s Why Kittens Stay with Their Breeder Until 12 Weeks
Before you fall in love with a photo and bring home your new furry companion, it’s important to understand why responsible breeders keep kittens with their mother and siblings until at least 12 weeks of age. At PurrfectlyFold, we prioritize the long-term health, behavior, and well-being of every kitten we raise—and this extra time makes all the difference.
In this post, we’ll explain why our scottish fold kittens need to stay in the cattery environment until three-four months old, and why that benefits both the kittens and you, the future owner.
Dianna of PurrfectlyFold Scottish Straight Black Golden Shaded (SFS 71 ny 25) Kitten at 1 month old age
At 90 to 97 days old, once each kitten reaches a minimum weight of 3 pounds, they are spayed or neutered by our trusted veterinarian. After surgery, we provide a 5–10 day recovery period in a quiet, familiar environment to ensure full healing and comfort before they transition to their forever homes.
This waiting period isn’t just a policy—it reflects our commitment to raising healthy, confident Scottish Fold and Scottish Straight kittens. By the time they’re ready to join your family, each kitten is vaccinated, litter-trained, well-socialized, and emotionally secure. When you adopt from PurrfectlyFold, you’re welcoming a loving, well-adjusted companion raised with exceptional care from the very beginning.
🧠 Social and Emotional Learning Through Play
During weeks 4–12, kittens learn how to be emotionally balanced cats. Playing and wrestling with siblings teaches them:
What’s too rough and what’s just right
How to read social cues
How to handle frustration
That biting or scratching too hard ends the fun
This playful interaction helps them understand boundaries and builds empathy. It’s how kittens learn not to be aggressive and how to respect others’ comfort.
👩👧 Lessons Only Mom Can Teach
The mother cat is her kittens’ first teacher—and she’s a good one. She shows them:
How to “hunt” by pouncing and chasing toys
When to rest, and how to calm down after play
How to groom and keep clean
How to eat and use the litter box properly
Kittens observe, copy, and learn confidence by following her lead. No human can teach these things quite like a cat mom.
💉 Vaccinations: Building Immunity
According to major cat associations, kittens need two rounds of FVRCP vaccines before leaving their breeder:
🗓️ 8 weeks: First dose
🗓️ 12 weeks: Second dose
These protect against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia—dangerous illnesses young kittens are especially vulnerable to. Early adoption skips this critical protection phase, leaving kittens at risk.
Black golden shaded Scottish Fold Kittens at one week age
🍽️ Weaning at the Right Pace
Weaning is more than just switching to solid food. Kittens nurse for both nutrition and comfort, and that bond should never be broken too early. Gradual weaning:
Prevents tummy issues
Encourages a healthy appetite
Reduces emotional stress
By 12 weeks, kittens are fully weaned and confidently eating high-quality kitten food on their own.
🏡 A Smoother Transition to Their Forever Family
Kittens who stay with their litter and mother longer are:
🐾 Better adjusted
🧻 Fully litter trained
🧸 More confident and relaxed in new environments
👫 Ready to bond deeply with their humans
Early removal often leads to behavioral problems like anxiety, clinginess, fear, or excessive vocalizing. Staying until 12–14 weeks helps avoid those issues completely.
🐱 Let Kittens Be Kittens
The first 3 months shape a kitten’s future. When kittens leave too early, they miss out on critical life lessons—emotionally, socially, and physically. At PurrfectlyFold, we raise Scottish Fold kittens the right way: with patience, purpose, and a whole lot of love.
That’s why our Scottish Fold kittens don’t go home at 6 or 8 weeks. They’re worth the wait.
Your cat will be part of your life for 15-17 years—let them spend just one extra month with their mom and family to start that life the right way.
So is your peace of mind.