They usually can survive if they're taken away at five weeks, but taking them away that early is not recommended. Their mother's milk has antibodies that help the kittens fight infection. If they're taken away too soon their immune system won't be fully developed, and they won't have the help of their mother's milk. That means they're left completely vulnerable. So kittens should ideally be left with their mother until about 10-12 weeks.
If the kitten has to be taken sooner or if the mother dies, you would need to keep a very close eye on the kitten. At five weeks their teeth are so little that it can be difficult for them to eat enough hard food to get the nutrition that they need. Most post stores sell kitten formula. A warm saucer of that would be best to start. Over the next few weeks, I usually move the kitten up to watered down canned food, then dry and canned food mixed, then just dry.
If the kitten has to be taken sooner or if the mother dies, you would need to keep a very close eye on the kitten. At five weeks their teeth are so little that it can be difficult for them to eat enough hard food to get the nutrition that they need. Most post stores sell kitten formula. A warm saucer of that would be best to start. Over the next few weeks, I usually move the kitten up to watered down canned food, then dry and canned food mixed, then just dry.