We have a 1 year old cat, who while thinking he is part dog half the time is otherwise healthy BUT he is always trying to "nurse" off any kind of "furry" type blankets! I pull them away when he does this but he always goes right back to it, esp. at night. Anyone know how to get him to stop or why he may be doing it? He makes me feel so bad for him like he misses his mommy or something. thanks for any help!!!
2007-01-18 21:35:25 · 5 answers · asked by tandyshannontravel 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
nursing on blankets is from weaning a cat too early. Also people say it's ok for them to do it, but it actually it can be VERY DANGEROUS. We lost our kitten to suckling blankets because over time it was ingesting the blanket fibers and ended up blocking it's tummy and took it's life. So be sure to stop the habit as soon as possible by taking away the blanket. PLEASE I DON'T WANT ANOTHER PERSON TO LOSE THEIR kitty!
2007-01-18 22:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Was he taken from his Mother to soon? Thats why he does it. I've had a few cats that also did this. I had 2 Male cats and my son brought home this tiny little kitten one day. When the kitten saw the 2 adult cats he immediately tried to nurse off them. One of them shooed the kitten away, the other Male cat let him nurse on him. It was so funny, this was a male cat acting as though he were the kitten's mother. I have pictures of this.
Anyway the kitten grew out of it, one day he just stopped doing it.
It won't hurt your cat to nurse on the blanket, just give him one blanket for his own so he doesn't ruin all your blankets. He will eventuallly will stop.on his own. He does miss his Mommy!!!
2007-01-18 22:44:56 · answer #2 · answered by CAT LADY LOO 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Awww poor baby. He probably does miss his mommy. Is there any reason why you want to stop this? Can you just buy him his very own blanket or soft toy that he can have to nurse and kneed on? Someday he may out grow it, but right now he feels the need to do this.
My cat is not even a year old and he nibbles and bites on my fingers. He has done this since his mother was killed when he was about 3 months old. He was STILL nursing her at the time. I figure in time he will adjust but for now, I let him nibble on my fingers. He's not harming anything and it makes him feel better.
If your kitty is not really hurting anything and if really isn't bothering you, then just pamper him for a while longer. Maybe he will outgrow the need.
Best wishes.
2007-01-18 21:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by †♥mslamom♥† 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Hi there...cats who like to suckle on blankets has a condition what is called PICA (sucking, eating, licking, chewing of non-edible items). Some cats who are weaned early develop PICA like behaviours and this is more common among asian breed of cats as well.
More on PICA -- Univ of California Davis: http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/pica.html
What is Pica?
Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, cats may chew or suck on objects, but not actually swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any object may be a potential target, however.
Why is Pica Dangerous?
Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your cat's health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge in your cat's stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Cat's that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many common houseplants are toxic to cats; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide range of symptoms from drooling to death. If your cat has a history of ingesting non-food items and becomes lethargic, vomits, or displays other concerning behavior, take them to your veterinarian immediately.
Why Does My Cat Eat/Chew on Non-food Items?
No one knows exactly why some cats exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with a variety of diseases including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, a veterinarian should examine any cat with pica. A genetic component is also suspected since wool or fabric sucking/chewing is more commonly found in Oriental breeds such as Siamese cats. Although it is normal for cats to eat small amounts of grass, consumption of large amounts of plant material may be an indication of a dietary deficiency or illness. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, attractive odors, hunger, and learned behavior.
Treatment:
To rule out medical causes, a veterinarian should examine all cats displaying pica. Once your veterinarian gives your cat a clean bill of health, discuss with them what steps you can take to modify your cat's behavior. These may include the following:
... please see website for full details
2007-01-18 21:43:35 · answer #4 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
why would u stop him?? it is comforting, all cats do it. Just give him his special blanket, lots of fuss and let him get on with it. He is not causing any harm so why stop him
2007-01-18 21:38:54 · answer #5 · answered by Serry's mum 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋