They have become very close since he has come into the home, and it doesn't seem that Sambuca is bothered by it at all- in fact it seems as if he likes taking care of the little one. However, since the kitten is getting bigger, Sambuca is extremely tender-looking on his nipples. They are red and are quite sore-he no longer likes to be picked up. So, as a first-time cat owner, I am at a loss for what to do. The vet says to keep them separated, but they are so close, I would feel awful. Are there kitty-pacifiers or perhaps something to put on Sambuca's nipples that would deter the little guy without harming him?
2006-09-14 10:30:02 · 13 answers · asked by Meghan S 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
You don't want to put anything caustic on his nipples because that might inflame them more. If you could get a little soothing cream on them it might help. But the mail thing is to stop the habit. Try wrapping Sambuca in gause. Wrap him snuggly around hisbody like a little mummy. If this works, the othe r cat will not be able to nurse and will be weaned.
2006-09-14 10:36:08 · answer #1 · answered by Isis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Follow your vet's advice and give Sambuca a break!
He sounds a lovely, loving cat and that's probably got a lot to do with the care you've given him. You're probably the best kitty pacifier around. Lil kit is getting bigger all the time but still young so if you can offer another source of comfort, kit will soon get used to it.
Fluffy jumpers/sweaters or toys work with some, and I'm sure you know that lots of fun, playing and cuddles do too.
Maybe let them have playtime together and only separate when kitty is tired or hungry. I bet that's when it happens.
If not it'll become a habit. You're right to want to change this. You obviously really care about your cats! Hurray!!!
Give your cats a proper kitty shnuggle from me - the original kittyfreek!
2006-09-14 17:49:30 · answer #2 · answered by kittyfreek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don.t think this a problem. If Sambuca is in pain, eventually he'll make her stop or she will get over it. When you observe this behavior, take the little one away. When she goes back, remove her again, gently. This is really an adorable bonding except for poor Sambuca's nipples! My cat, Papi, has a BEST friend upstairs, Seven Toes (he actually has 7 toes on each paw), Both males & fixed, they just love to be together & play, so "7" visits daily. (That's kinda odd in itself, 2 adult male cats becoming best friends upon meeting)...But very often my place turns into "Broke Cat Mountain"! It's literally kitty porn. But there's no harm done they're just exibiting harmless behaviors. I've had kittens who suck on my earlobes or I'll find a plush toy soaked in saliva for want of persuing that kneading & suckling behavior.
2006-09-14 17:56:35 · answer #3 · answered by PAMELA G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww! Probably what I'd do is see if Sambuca will tolerate wearing a baby's jacket or t-shirt, with the buttons/snaps on his back and his belly protected and covered by the shirt. If Sambuca won't tolerate the t-shirt or jacket, I'd say separate them when you see the kitten start to suckle.
I had a neutered male cat who LOVED to round up kittens, put them in "his" laundry basket, then hop in and groom them and let them "nurse".
2006-09-15 00:11:05 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, kittens suckle as described when they have been taken from their momma too early. When this happens, they will frequently lick a lot (like your neck or shirt or other cats).
As far as the tenderness goes, that's to be expected. The vet probably wanted them separated so the older male cat can heal. He is probably chapped and very sore.
This may continue for a while (the suckling). The kitten isn't getting any nutrients or fluids from the other cat, just getting bigger because he is thriving on whatever food you are giving him, making him grow - that's good.
Good luck.
2006-09-14 17:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all-find a taste the kitten won't like-try just a tiny bit of lemonjuice or hot sauce-it won't HURT either of them,but he taste may dissuade the kitten fromtrying to nurse off Sambuca
Second-I had a Husky\Shepherd mix...after Ihad my youngest daughter, she got EXTREMELY jealous, and kid-napped a new-born kitten from my momma cat.
She hid it under the skirt of the couch to nurse it...imagine a tiny new-born kitten trying to latch onto the nipple of a large full-grown dog.
Everytime I caught her with the kitten, I'd put the baby back with momma...but soon the momma rejected it.. The baby soon died.
The ironic thing is that the dog had NEVER BEEN BRED!! Yet she brought on a full milk supply for one tiny little kitten...
TRUE STORY!!!
2006-09-14 20:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by psycho_mom_666 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once had a kitten that thought my dog was its mother, he would go up to the dog and the dog would lay down and let the kitty try to nurse, the dog had no milk, but I guess the kitten thought that the dog did, it was funny but weird. Im not sure how you can stop your kitty from doing that, my kitten finally stopped when he was about 1 year old..good luck
2006-09-14 23:21:13 · answer #7 · answered by feline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar problem one time. My cat had three kittens, and after they were only 3 or 4 weeks old she died. The two smaller ones started sucking on the chubbier one's belly and it made it raw. I had to make them sleep separately until they grew out of it.
Separation sounds the best option to me.
2006-09-14 17:48:45 · answer #8 · answered by iLLy W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cats did this too, actually. It took a little while, but eventually my kitten lost interest! And if it really was hurting the older cat, he would let the kitten know!
2006-09-14 17:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by stuckinamoment 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buttons and boots,(now dead ) used to do that. they got taken away from there mother 2 soon so they would do it to each other at the same time!!! I guess it was comforting. They looked sooooo funny! The cats we have now do the same thing but they do it to my stuffed bear!!
2006-09-14 19:16:32 · answer #10 · answered by Doglover94 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋