Nursing 5mth old kitten (on blankets!)?

Question

My kitten nurses on almost anything he can get in his mouth. I've had cats my whole life and have NEVER seen anything like it. I don't know how to break him other than just to stop him but when I'm not there..... Anyway, he will suck on your shirt, the blanket, you name it! Do they make a kitty pacifier? What a stupid question - I know. I just don't know what to do with him and am tired of picking up wet blankets with kitty slobber.

Oh baby blankets - great idea!

Ooo, 1-3 years? Yikes!

Answer 1

Hi Sandie...Medically scientists have determined that cats who chew, suck, lick non-edible items suffer from a condition called PICA. This is common among kittens who were weaned early and seen in many Asian breed of cats as well. Here's an article about PICA by University of California Davis on what is PICA and how to treat it: http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/pica.html

Pica: The Un-finicky Feline
Chewing or eating cords, fabric, houseplants, etc.

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.

...please consider visiting the website for full details on how PICA is treated.

Answer 2

I had one cat, Miss Molly, that did the same thing. She usually only "nursed" on blankets though. Maybe your kitten was weaned too early or something. Miss Molly did it for the entire 3 years I had her. I never asked her new owners if she continued to do it. I have had several cats and she was the only one who had this weird habit.
Kitty slobber isnt really that bad............

Answer 3

The vet is probably correct in his age. Kittens are not hard to age. There are definite mile stones that can be used to determine their correct age. He may be smaller in size b/c he is was getting enough nutrition on just softened hard food, or b/c he was not getting enough nutrition from his mother. He could also just be on the smaller size. When I rescued by kittens (they were 3 weeks old), 2 years ago, they grew very slowly. They are still not the size of the average cat. I look at cats for adoption when I go into pet stores for fun, and they are comparable to the size of an 8 month old cat, and they are almost 2 years old. When I spoke to the vet, he said they were just small. Some cats are just small, some cats are larger.

Answer 4

I have a 9 week old kitten I adopted from a reputable rescue center. He keeps nursing on his own stomach. I wouldn't much care if he nursed on a blanket or something else safe. Any suggestions?

Answer 5

lol i know what you are going thru .. i got a cat who is like a year old and still does it .. kitty slobber isnt great either

i think they do it cause they stop nursing too soon ... but as far as the kitty pacifier i dont think so.
xoxo
Emily

Answer 6

My kitten did the same thing. He was like a heat seeking missle. As soon as he was on our laps hes licking like crazy. Its wicked annoying and rather gross. Ive got him to slowly stop this behavior by blowing a quick puff of air in his face as soon as he starts, and the instant that he stops start petting and loving him. I would do the 3 time your outta here rule. He get three chances to sit nicely, and if he couldnt handle it, shove him away. He initially didnt get it, but now, several months later, he rarely even tries. It wasnt a fast process, but Ive definitely noticed a tremendous improvement in this area.

Answer 7

i had 2 cats that did this ,i gave them 2 baby blankets of their own to slobber on