why does my cat?

Question

my kitten is almost 6 months old, he has a habbit of sucking and chewing on things violently! how can i get him to stop without yelling and squirting him all the time. I dont mind if he's sucking on things, but the chewing is getting old!

Answer 1

Live with it. My two cats (4yrs old) still suckle each other.

Answer 2

My cat is 11 and does this still, I have listed a part of an article for you, if you would like to read the whole article you will find the link in sources, (O:


Sometimes young cats will outgrow this behavior. Gently tapping the cat on the nose and saying, "No" when the cat starts the behavior may help, or squirting the cat with a water bottle. To be effective this must be done immediately, as soon as the cat is starting the behavior. It also is essential that the cat not have access to what he likes to chew or lick when the owner is not around to stop him. Keep clothing picked up and in drawers and closets inaccessible to the cat. Some people whose cats lick their hair at night have resorted to wearing a hat to bed!

Some people have tried putting hot sauce or something non-toxic but unpleasant tasting on the item the cat likes to chew. Some people find that if they give the cat one item that he is allowed to chew, he is satisfied and leaves other things alone. In some cases, changing the cat to a high-fiber dry food or giving the cat chew toys designed for dogs seems to help.

It is also important to make sure your cat is getting plenty of exercise. If possible, set aside several times a day to play with your cat. Try to provide a stimulating environment for your cat, using toys, a fish tank, bird feeders, or specially made videos for cats.

For some cats this behavior is actually a compulsion, and in those cases there are prescription medications that can be tried. Commonly used medications include clomiprimine, fluoxetine, and amitriptyline. These must be prescribed and monitored by a veterinarian. It may take weeks to months to see effects, dosages may need to be adjusted, and some side effects are possible. Talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist if you think your cat may benefit from medication.

Answer 3

I seems this question is asked here about twice a day. It is pretty normal behavior. Some kittens leave their mothers and siblings far too soon and it can take a long time for them to "outgrow" this behavior.

Squirting him and yelling at him are not going to have an effect or change him to behavior you want. When you put energy into something it INCREASES so you need to let go a lot. You may find that ignoring the behavior and not letting it upset you will help a lot to lessen his doing this.

Sometimes we have to thank god for small favors - be glad you don't have a puppy to train. They are infinitely more destructive with their mouths!

Answer 4

Try a little vinegar diluted in water. When I got one of my kittens, he nursed my Rottweiler almost nonstop! Of course she had no milk, but she has had puppies and is such a sweet girl that she allowed it. I found that rubbing a little of this mixture on her tummy made in undesirable.
Also you could try a product called Bitter Apple from a pet store. It has an unpleasant taste and usually works pretty well. It does not stain furniture or change the color of wood, etc. I have a wooden rocking horse that for some reason my cats love to bite on and I find if I spray that stuff every few months they leave it alone. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Most kittens I've met who have that habit were separated from their mothers too soon. They use it as a comfort method like a baby sucking their thumb.

Try giving your kitten things he CAN chew/suck on, and take away the things that you don't want chewed. Also make sure to give your baby lots of positive attention- mine liked extended brushing sessions- to mimic the way he would be treated by his mother.

Answer 6

Try a blanket or a stuff anmail . My kitten is 8 mouths old and he does the same tihng with my ear and neck . I firmly tell him no and out him right by the stuff anmail I bought him . They do that because he might have been taken from his mother to early and he want's milk and it's a sign of comfort and trust.He'll grow out of it. And just remember give him some love. Good luck.

Answer 7

Yuck. There's a product called "Yuck." It works for dogs & cats (I have 3 cats), but you'll find it in the Dog section at PetSmart. It's a clear liquid you spray on the items you don't want kitty to chew. It tastes TERRIBLE. I say this b/c you should wash your hands when you're done using it, and I wouldn't spray it on things you use a lot. For example, we spray it on power cords... our cat has chewed through the wires that connect the speakers to our computer, our PS2 controllers, the PS2 power source, etc.

Answer 8

I have a female cat that suckle my ear every time she came near me she even use to climb up my leg to suck on my ear it took her 2 years to stop and the chewing stopped when she was 1years old. she should stop on her own but if not you may have to buy a kennel to put her in while your at work so she can't chew thing up.

Answer 9

Chewing and sucking on things is normal, especially for this little darlin'. They grow out of it --don't worry! In the meantime, scold him firmly with "No!" and spat his paw gently when he chews. Get plenty of things with catnip to substitute for chewing. If kitty, although it's rare, happens to be allergic to catnip, ask a vet for a suggestion for a substitute.

Answer 10

Our cat Cassity loves to chew on plastic, like we get water bottles in 24 packs and he just loves the chew on the plastic that holds the bottles into the box like thing. Its just how some cats are, like a child who's teething, they chew on things. He's not gonna stop soooo you gatta live with it! sorry!

Answer 11

cats are playful.
if you control them from chewing,its not good for the kitten's teeth.
they chew on stuffs to sharpen their teeth.
but stopping,you wil harm them.
they have to play.
they chew on things is also out of curiosity.
just like human babies...our babies too put stuffs into the mouth out of curiosity.
buy more toys for your kitten to play and chew...