Mary Allen
It is advisable not to separate kittens from their mother cat until they are about twelve weeks old, as they can still learn a lot from her up to that point. The little kittens learn a lot from their mum and then imitate it.
Some cat behavior is innate, other things kittens have to learn from their cat mother and their environment. You can teach and educate your cat later, but that takes much longer and requires patience and consistency.
Kitten Socialization
The essential learning phase of the kitten is also called socialization and extends from about the fourth to the twelfth week of life. Then the kittens are independent enough to explore their surroundings and curiously observe everything that happens around them. The mother cat and siblings are her favorite “study objects” to learn to be a cat.
Hunting behavior and territorial behavior are innate in kittens, but they learn the typical cat language when interacting with their fellow cats. When they play and scuffle with their siblings, they practice using their hunting and territorial instincts.
Imitate & Learn Cat Mother
Kittens learn by trying and imitating their mother cat. While playing and romping is in their blood, so to speak, the mini kitties still have to learn how to use the litter box, how the cat flap works, and how best to climb. In addition, the mother cat puts the brakes on her kittens when they are too high-spirited and sets limits for them. This is important to prevent later behavioral problems.
During this learning phase, you can also help your kitten to get used to everyday noises such as traffic, household appliances, and vacuum cleaners. You can leave the kittens with their mother cat on the balcony or in the garden under the supervision and well secured. If you carefully let the kittens get to know different, friendly people and other animals such as dogs during this phase, the fur noses will later be less afraid of strange two- and four-legged friends and will be more trusting.