Tucker is my kitten, he was born on May 21, and I got him when he was 7weeks 6 days old--I was told he had been completely weaned from the mother already. Up until this week he has been perfect!!! His new habit though isn't so nice, and maybe it isn't healthy. He has begun to 'nurse' on peoples clothing, on pillows, on blankets, just about anything soft. Why has he started to do this now? Also, everytime he does this we give him some food as a distraction, and that seems to please him. Is he just trying to tell us that he is hungry (but sometimes he does it when there is a plate of food right next to him)
He has a vet appointment on Saturday, but I was just wondering what to expect.
Thanks, Laura and Tucker
2006-08-29 18:21:23 · 12 answers · asked by LFL 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
The vet appointment is to get a set of shots, but I thought I would bring it up while I was there.
2006-08-29 18:39:10 · update #1
It's a comfort reflex. My cat is 15 and he still does it, he likes fingers though! Some breeds like Siamese are more prone to suckle, especially on fabrics like wool. Just make sure he doesn't ingest any fabric bits and string. Good for you on being a good owner and taking him to the vet!
2006-08-29 18:33:57 · answer #1 · answered by sillymeowtart 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't really think this is abnormal in any way. Some cats just don't grow out of this need to continue nursing behaviors. Was he taken from his mother before that 7 week period when you got him? Wherever he was during those first seven weeks he may not have had a mother to nurse on.
My son went to nursery school when he was two. When he came home from school he would run and find his "ninny" to suck on. He was a very happy outgoing child and somehow he still needed this comfort in his life. He had many of these pacifiers and though I would buy new ones or put them through the dishwasher they weren't free of bacteria. My son was never sick at all.
2006-08-29 18:29:31 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hes still a little babey hun, my kitty is nearly 7mths old adn still finds comfort in pushing with his claws adn trying to 'feed' of my sweater. I got him from a bad home so not sure if thats why, think maybe he was weaned to early, but its not a given.
Whats embarrasing is he can locate my nipple through three layers of clothes!!! lol, embarrasing or what?
I try to distract him cos if I push him away he can get nasty with his claws! sometimes its like having a child to take care off
It might be time to make sure he has some sort of scratch pole,
to protect ur furniture and clothes.
I strongly recommend u dont feed him everytime he does it, its rewarding behaviour that u dont like, its natural to him but ur associating food with it, try picking him up and giving him a cuddle
That works with my kitty adn distracts him from the behaviour I dont want
2006-08-29 23:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by livachic2005 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the previous answers...he's just being a kitten. Most cats will continue to do a 'claw dance' even when they grow up. This is just kneading with their front paws, usually while purring and just before they lie down. It just goes back to when they were little and kneaded their mommy's belly to stimulate milk flow. I'm sure the 'nursing' is the same type of thing. Very cute!!!
2006-08-29 19:25:32 · answer #4 · answered by just me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat knead for a variety of reasons. They could be comfortable, and kneading just is an expression of that comfort. They have scent pads on their paws, so if you are petting your kitty she is leaving her signature on your lap or the blanket, and will come back to the spot later if she gets upset and it will soothe her.Alnong with kneeding they appear to be trying to nurse its a comfort thing and normal.
2006-08-30 02:01:58 · answer #5 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww, that's really cute. Kitties do it as a comfort thing. It has nothing to do with being hungry. There's no reason for you to pay a vet to tell you that!
My cat had kittens and I kept one of them. She "nursed" on clumps of the mama's fur until she was almost as big as the mama cat! It's like a kid and a blanky.
2006-08-29 18:35:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our cat did the same thing for the longest time then he eventually grew out of it. There probably isnt anything wrong with your Tucker and im sure the vet will say he is just fine. GoodDay!
2006-08-29 18:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat that did the suckling thing till the day he died at 17, if you get a good look at your cat while he is doing it he probably has a very content happy glazed look about him. There is nothing to be worried about some cats do this. Its a comfort zone activity.
2006-08-29 22:18:57 · answer #8 · answered by Cherry_Blossom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont worry he is fine, this is not uncommon in kittens,after all he is still a baby and misses the security of mom. it is a natural thing for him to knead and want to nurse. most cats outgrow the nursing part but they will still knead its ok, really
2006-08-29 19:33:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is really not that much of a problem. I have seen alot of animals do this. She is just pacifiying her self. Like a child would.
2006-08-29 18:33:51 · answer #10 · answered by Windwispers 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋