Final answer:
The statement that puppies and kittens should remain with their mother until at least 8 weeks old is true. Early care is important for proper development, and the mother provides essential milk and survival skills teaching.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that puppies and kittens must remain with their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old, with slightly older being better in many cases, is true. Just like human infants, puppies and kittens go through important developmental stages soon after birth and require the nutrition and care from their mother to develop properly. As with all mammals, except for the guinea pig, milk from the mother is essential for the offspring's survival during the early weeks of life. Moreover, parental care goes beyond mere sustenance; it includes teaching survival skills, such as how meerkat adults teach their young to handle scorpions.
Some research has shown the importance of early developmental stages even for sensory abilities. For instance, if kittens are deprived of visual input from an eye during a critical developmental period, they may lose essential neural connections. Thus, it is paramount for kittens to receive proper care and sensory experiences to develop normal cognitive and physical abilities. This level of care ensures better chances of survival and health into their later life stages.
The provided research and examples in the world of mammals underscore the importance of the mother's presence in the early weeks of a puppy's or kitten's life, supporting the concept that they should not be separated from their mother before 8 weeks of age, and if possible, a bit longer.