Bengal Kitten 8 Week Age Rehoming Policy

At Iconic, our foremost priority is the health, well-being, and proper socialization of our Bengal kittens. Over the past 20 years, we have carefully developed a breeding program that allows our kittens to be ready for their new homes at around 8 weeks of age. This timeline, while differing from many larger catteries, is grounded in the unique characteristics of our small, boutique operation, where we can offer personalized attention to every kitten’s needs.

1. The Rationale Behind Our 8-Week Policy

Developmental Milestones: By the time our Bengal kittens reach 8 weeks, they have typically achieved essential developmental milestones. They are fully weaned from their mother, eating solid food, using the litter box consistently, and have become independent and mobile. They have also started to explore their environment and are well-prepared to adapt to new surroundings.

Veterinary Recommendations: Many veterinarians suggest that kittens can be rehomed between 8 and 10 weeks of age. At 8 weeks, they have usually received their first set of vaccinations, which offers initial protection and prepares them for their first venture into a new home. We ensure that our kittens are healthy and ready to handle the transition.

2. The Unique Nature of Our Cattery

Small vs. Large Catteries: Our cattery is intentionally kept small, with between 4 and 7 cats at any given time. We are most always at 5 Bengal cats on staff, with three females and 2 males (not counting kittens). This allows us to maintain a high standard of care and attention that is difficult to achieve in larger catteries, which may house 8 to 12 cats or more. In larger operations, it can be challenging to provide the same level of individual socialization and health management, often necessitating longer stays with the mother.

Free-Range Environment: Our breeding cats are treated like family pets and have free-range access throughout our home. This environment promotes natural behaviors, reduces stress, and ensures that our kittens are well-socialized. They grow up around everyday household activities, which helps them adjust quickly to new homes without anxiety. Select cats have GPS collars and of course all our cats are microchipped. Yours will be too unless you specifically request no microchipping of your kitten. Sorry, we can’t un-microchip an adult. We include microchipping of kittens free for life, and it’s in your agreement.

3. Socialization and Health Control

Dedicated Socialization: The small size of our cattery enables us to dedicate ample time to each kitten’s socialization. Our kittens are exposed to common household noises from vacuums to ice-machines, interact with children, and engage with other pets (we have a dog), which prepares them for the diverse environments they may encounter in their new homes. This critical period of socialization, from 2 to 7 weeks, is fully utilized, ensuring that our kittens are confident and well-adjusted by the time they are ready to leave at 8 weeks.

Health Management: With fewer cats to care for, we can closely monitor the health of each kitten. The risk of viral outbreaks or other health issues is significantly lower in our cattery, and when issues do arise, they are easily contained and managed. For instance, our regular de-worming process at 5 weeks ensures that any potential health concerns, such as Giardia, are addressed early.

4. Addressing Concerns from Other Breeders

Why Some Breeders Disagree: It’s important to acknowledge that some breeders prefer to keep kittens with their mother for 10 to 12 weeks, or even longer. This practice is often due to the logistical challenges faced by larger catteries, where the sheer number of cats can make it difficult to provide individualized care. We respect these breeders’ decisions but believe that our smaller, more intimate setting allows us to achieve the same, if not better, results in a shorter timeframe.

Respectful Disagreement: We recognize that the decision of when to rehome a kitten is a personal and often emotional one. However, we have found through decades of experience that our approach works well within our specific setup. Our kittens leave at 8 weeks not because we cut corners, but because we have the ability and confidence to prepare them fully in that time.

5. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Adherence to Regulations: We strictly adhere to all local regulations and guidelines regarding the sale and adoption of pets. Our policy is not only legally compliant but also grounded in ethical breeding practices. We ensure that every kitten is properly weaned, healthy, and has received the necessary veterinary care before being rehomed.

Ethical Breeding Practices: We pride ourselves on our ethical approach to breeding. This includes making sure that every kitten is truly ready for its new home, both physically and emotionally. While 8 weeks is our general policy, we reserve the right to keep any kitten longer if we feel it is necessary for their well-being.

6. Flexibility in Our Policy

Customizing the Timeline: Although our policy generally sets 8 weeks as the timeline for rehoming, we assess each kitten individually. If a kitten is not fully ready—whether due to socialization needs, health concerns, or other factors—we will keep them longer. This flexibility ensures that every kitten we send to a new home is fully prepared.

Owner Peace of Mind: To further ensure the health and safety of our kittens, we include in our purchase agreement that new owners must quarantine their kitten and take them to a veterinarian within 72 hours of bringing them home. Before you consider this a forced burden, note that our price is lowered to counter the cost of you initial first vet visit. Our agreement outlines how we will assist with any costs if health issues arise during this period, providing additional peace of mind.