He loves to sleep right under my chin everynight and he likes to suck on my neck and ears . I thought he would grow out of it . But it doesn't seem like he will . He was taken away from his mother when it was time . Same as his brothers . I asked my boyfriend if his kitten does it to , but he said no. And my boyfriend kitten is from the same litter. Is it just my kitten the way he is .
2006-10-26 18:39:16 · 20 answers · asked by kitty 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Should I let him do this or should I get him to stop , I dont mind him sleeping under my chin .
2006-10-26 19:48:17 · update #1
Alot of kittens tend to want a sleeping spot as close and intimate as they can to their Alpha or mama(which is now you). Curling up at the neck and chin is normal for tons of kittens. Nursing behavior is a way for him to soothe himself and gain some security feelings. Some grow out of it,, a few don't very easily stop.
If you don't mind him curling up with you, great! If you want him to quit the nursing behavior- just push him away a bit and tell him "no". Another option is to flick him on the ear or nose when he starts trying to nurse, again telling him 'no'.
Pick him up and reposition him somewhere else next to you if his chin cuddling is bothering you. It will take more than a couple times for him to get the idea, but if his options are to either accept your new spot for him or not be allowed on the bed- he will get the point.
Re: milk? Cow milk is not good for them at all. You may end up w him having a major diarrhea problem. Try some KMR (kitten milk replacement) if you want to treat him to 'milk'
Glad you have a cuddler! It's a wonderful thing!!
2006-10-26 18:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I rescued a little grey kitten about 2 months ago from the dumpster in my neighborhood. He does the same thing. I asked my vet and animal experts and they said it is because he was traumatized by being taken form his mother too early, then being dumped off. ( Spaz was not quite 4 weeks old when I found him.) They said it's a comfort factor , that majority of kittens and puppies will do this even if they were weaned from their mother at an appropriate age. He is letting you know you are his comfort zone where he feels safest. (Like a toddler child not wanting to part with their blankie) Some of the other answers here are very good ones. Just wanted to add my two cents worth in. By the way you have a true treasure with the kitty you have,he truly loves you.
2006-10-26 19:54:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Milk advice is bad. It's amazing how one little faux pas' can ruin an otherwise good answer, isn't it?
He IS using you as a mommy figure. What exactly, in your opinion, is the "right time" to take a kitten from its mother? 6 weeks? That's too young. Most breeders recommend a minumum of 8 weeks now. A reputable breeder will not allow kittens to be taken from their mothers until they're at least 10-12 weeks old. Some cats adjust OK after being separated too young, but others, like yours, don't. I think I'm noticing a pattern, though; the "nursing" thing seems to be more common in male cats. This is just from what I've witnessed over the past couple of years. A friend of mine has a cat who "nurses" on a blanket and stuffed animal....both of which he's had since he was taken from his mother (at 6 weeks of age, I might add).
Try the lemon juice remedy or tobasco sauce if it's bothering you, and get your kitten something else to "nurse" on. If it's not bothering you....well, then just enjoy it. He's showing you his love:)
But do NOT give him milk. He's not nursing because he needs milk, he's nursing because he's feeling insecure. Cats are lactose intolerant and giving them milk can result in diarrhea/gas....or, as is the case with my male, vomiting within minutes of ingestion.
2006-10-26 18:49:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree, he is doing it because it fits into his mouth, much like a teat would. He's trying to get milk. :) It's something he may or may not grow out of. Being taken away from his mother at the right time or not, some kittens have a harder time and this is actually a sign of separation anxiety from Mom. My cat is a year old and still does this but not on us. He likes to try to nurse off, oddly enough, one of my toddler's stuffed cows. LOL I would try the lemon juice method or tabasco sauce to deter it. Good luck!
2006-10-26 19:39:41 · answer #4 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't mind then it is a non issue.
He isn't going too hurt your or him self with this behavior and left unchecked he will continue too do it FOREVER. It's a cat thing.
Cats all see the world the same way. Anything that moves is either food, cat, or not cat. Somehow or enother your cat is coping with his world by deciding that you are a cat. Not only just any cat but a freindly loving mommy cat.
The opptions are too be moved too the "not cat" list. But he won't be as affectionate with you.
You have too carefully wheigh this one. Is this something you want too do?
Contact me via email or IM if you do.
Hope this helps.
2006-10-26 22:17:03 · answer #5 · answered by refresherdownunder 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is sooooooooo sweet!!!!!!! He thinks your his momma! .I have 3 cats and my youngest is 5yrs old. He has been sucking on my other cat ever since I got him as a kitten. He never grew out of it because I never stopped him. If you stop you kitty now he should stop.I know its hard because its so cute but if you dont your going to wind up like me with an adult cat that likes to suck like hes a kitten! I really dont mind it because I think its cute and the other cat really enjoys it as well!
2006-10-26 18:55:33 · answer #6 · answered by Love Child 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
my kitten likes to chew/suck on my chin and neck as well. and he's about six months old now. whenever i come home, he runs up to me and jumps for me to pick him up. when i pick him up, he immediately g ently nibbles my chin and gives me kisses.
he also likes to sleep right in between my breasts at night, with his head under my chin. he does that when he gets nervous too.
i thought it was weird at first, because i had a lot of cats growing up and they never did that, so i spoke with 2 vets and did some research. apparently, its just a way of showing affection. like, when a cat licks you, its their way of petting you back. and the fact that our kitties haven't outgrown the sucking and nibbling just means they really trust us and feel close to us.. like to the mother cat..
so enjoy your kitty's affection!!
2006-10-26 18:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by MnKLmT 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
he thinks you're the momma and you are! some cats are just more loving than others - mine did this as a kitten and then it was on top of my head and now it's just on my pillow so maybe soon your baby will give you a little breathing room - good luck!
2006-10-26 18:42:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 cats, none of them are kittens anymore, but we got them when they were kittens. They all have always slept like that with me and my husband. I believe its because we have always allowed it and now they feel comforted and comfortable with it. If they stopped we would miss it because we feel comforted and comfortable as well.
My cats are Gigola, Buddy Johnson, and Tobey. All from the humane society. We are their mommy and daddy and they love us.
2006-10-26 18:43:36 · answer #9 · answered by quickspend 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
My kitten does stuff like that. My vet said he was took away from his mother to early. He wasn't ready.
2006-10-26 18:42:46 · answer #10 · answered by Jessi C 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋