I’ve read a lot of stuff to that effect…that kittens taken away from their mothers too early tend to have various neuroses. But the only personal experience I have that makes me suspect that it’s true is my ex-roomie’s cat, Marty. She adopted him from a shelter when he was tiny, just old enough to be weaned, I would guess. He was with his litter, but there was no mama. She had an awful time litter box training him (but once he got it there were no further problems), and he didn’t seem to understand a lot of the basic “being a cat” concepts. (like grooming!) He eats plastic bags. Compulsively. Obsessively. She can’t leave one unguarded for a minute. And, the biggest thing…he BITES! A lot. Hard.

I’d offer my “perfect” Rizzo as a comparison, but I don’t know his early history, so it would hardly be scientific. Boy, do I wish I did know it, though! Are any of the rest of you super-curious about the lives of your shelter or street urchin kitties before they came to you? I so wish I knew where Rizz and Barli came from….