My cat sucks on my shirt and does this weird clawing thing while it purrs. Its really anoying and I cant get him to stop. Why is he doing it, and what can I do to make him stop?
2006-10-06 06:20:58 · 17 answers · asked by bbrenpbr 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She is suckling on your shirt. Cats normally do this when they were taken from their mothers to early....or for one reason or another were unable to nurse as long as needed. The clawing thing helps to get milk to flow when nursing . Try a spray bottle with water... when he does it spray him and tell him no, also take the shirt away. Some cats never stop.
2006-10-06 09:12:34 · answer #1 · answered by Tory 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have two different things going on.
He's kneading and purring because he loves you. He may be a bit more compulsive about it because of being weaned too early, as others have suggested, but the bottom line is that he does it because he loves you.
Please try to understand and accept this gesture of affection. It would break kitty's little heart if he knew you don't like it!
The sucking on your shirt could be part of the package with the kneading and purring, but most cats knead and purr without that, so it could be a different, but related issue often called "wool sucking," though the fabric the cat likes to suck on isn't necessarily wool.
From the Kitty Cottage Cat Library:
"This behavior is often caused by premature weaning of kittens. It can occur in cats that were rescued or adopted before 7 weeks old, too early to be separated from their mothers. Sucking on certain fuzzy and soft fabrics, not necessarily wool, is comforting to a prematurely weaned cat, even as an adult, because it reminds the cat of nursing from its mother. Do not punish the cat for this instinctual behavior..."
I Googled "wool sucking cats" and got tons of hits:
http://www.google.com/search?q=wool+sucking+cats
Opinion seems to be divided about whether or not this is a "problem." My take is that it's a problem if kitty actually eats inappropriate or indigestible materials, otherwise it's just a slightly neurotic but harmless habit.
2006-10-06 06:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mick 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not there is a name for this. It's called Pica. Cats usually do it with wool or other fabrics that feel like wool.
It's a residual thing left over from when they are kittens nursing with their mothers. To get the mother's milk to come the kitten kneads at at her nipples with his paws and then starts sucking. Sometimes if a kitten is weaned too soon it will do this as an adult. It's very comforting to them.
The fact that your cat is doing it to your clothing means that he feels comforted by you. You're the surrogate parent and your clothes have your scent.
My cat destroyed my favorite wool sweater doing this. The only way to stop it, that I know of, is to put your clothes away out of "paws reach."
The main danger is if kitty eats something poisonous or if he gets an intestinal blockage. Just try to give him extra love and hang up your shirt. :)
2006-10-06 09:07:43 · answer #3 · answered by copygyrl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The clawing thing is nesting, which most cats do naturally to make themselves comfortable. It can ruin blankets, clothes, and furniture if they aren't declawed, so just try to train him not to do it by flicking his paws and saying "no!" whenever he's nesting. As far as the sucking is concerned, I've never heard of it. Maybe he has a fixation for clothing or has a lack of cotton in his diet (kidding). The best bet would be to poke him in the mouth whenever he does it; with luck, he won't do it anymore after a few times. Or you could not wear a shirt. That's always a safe bet.
2006-10-06 06:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem with my female. It is because she was taken away from her mother before she was weened. and I tell her no and put her on the floor gently. so do the same with your cat. he will get the idea sooner or later just keep after him every time he tries to suck on your shirt say no and put him on the floor gently he will learn.and when he claws you he is letting you know he loves you that's a cats way of showing affection.
2006-10-06 06:31:43 · answer #5 · answered by wolf 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
many times if cats are taken from their mothers too early they are going to maintain some conduct they had as kittens, like suckling on somebody they like. it quite is not "undesirable", it quite is basically one thing they do. I also have a cat that retained the pawing stream, that's poor because of the fact her slaws are truly sharp. So evaluate your self fortunate that she basically stored that one
2016-10-15 21:59:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was probably taken from momma too soon.
He's purring because he's content with you and you are his master and comfort to him. Just try gently moving him and petting him. He should grow out of the sucking on the shirt thing.
2006-10-06 06:29:00 · answer #7 · answered by kitt_kattkitt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat did that so much we named him Bela, for Bela Lugosi, who played Dracula on all the movies. Talk about disconcerting and weird, to wake up in the night with a kitten sucking your neck!!! He did grow out of it, though.
2006-10-06 07:08:55 · answer #8 · answered by J_Solo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its because your cat wasent ready to stop nurseing off its mamma so it sucks on your shirt thinking its nurseing and it claws because thats how they get the milk out when it nurses from its mamma its gross i know i had a cat do it and the vet said that the cat wont ever stop.
2006-10-06 06:25:02 · answer #9 · answered by sar sar 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
WHAAAT i thought i was the only one that had that problem. My cat use to always lick constantly on my bed covers, it was this certain blanket that he would go crazy over, and just start licking on it. I thought it was weird and never told no body.
2006-10-06 06:35:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋