I found a starving kitten (about 3 weeks old) and now that he is healthy (he is about 10 weeks old) he has started nursing off my housedog. The kitten is separated while I'm at work in "his" room because I don't want him destroying my house. I let him out when I'm at home he will sometimes lay with my white shepherd and nurse. The dog has never had pups, and will even lift her leg for the kitten. I live on a farm, and the kitten will eventually be an outside cat, but with winter coming on he is too young to survive outside. Is there something I can do or put on the dog to stop this disturbing behaviour? The squirt gun isn't having much of an impact, except to get the dog bed wet!
2007-11-29 03:20:26 · 10 answers · asked by Ayla B 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
No, I haven't tried lukewarm milk. I started him with the spendy soft kitten food and now he gets regular kitten chow. I just checked my dog, and the only thing I can see out of line is that there is a red spot at the end of the kitten's favorite nipples. It is just that the kitten is so noisy when he is doing this. Thanks for all the nice answers!
2007-11-29 03:39:05 · update #1
Bitter apple will be ok to put on my dog? It won't bother when she "cleans" herself?
2007-11-29 03:43:03 · update #2
I would just let it go, if anything I would give your dog treats for being such a good sport. The kitten will grow out of it, it has had a hard life so far being abandoned that young (BTW - kudos to your for taking him in an caring for him, it's not easy when they are that you and require a lot of care).
2007-11-29 03:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the dog doesn't mind and the kitten is not harming the dog by nursing (check for swelling or lesions at the site), there's no need to stop the behavior. If it does get to the point that the kitten needs to be stopped, you can spray Bitter Apple on your dog's stomach. It's harmless to both of them, but it doesn't taste good.
2007-11-29 11:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a comfort thing.With the kitten being so young when you found him he's not grown out of the stage of needing this as yet.
Obviously your dog doesn't mind or she'd soon get up and move away. I used to have one that would suckle on anything - a blanket, pillow or - most annoying - my hair when I was trying to sleep !
He did grow out of it after a while and the same will happen with your kitten. Don't worry over it.
2007-11-29 17:47:32 · answer #3 · answered by Debi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not really "disturbing" at all... its just something the kitten will do untill he grows out of it. I had a kitten and he used to nurse on me while i was sleeping... not on any particular part just my back or leg or something. Its just like a kid having a favorite blanket I think. Its completely normal, and not something you should really punish the kitten for, he is only doing what he knows.
2007-11-29 11:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by to_good4u12345 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since your female dog is thinking the kitten is one of it's children just leave it alone. The kitten isn't hurting her so I don't see a problem.
I've also heard of cases where a female cat will adopted puppies like this so I don't think it's a problem or really strange.
2007-11-29 12:23:08 · answer #5 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it doesn't bother the dog, I'd figure it was ok. Obviously he's not getting any milk out of her, it's a comfort thing for him (especially as he was so young!). Let them do their thing, it's not going to hurt anything. He'll stop eventually. Right now the dog is the closest mother he's got.
2007-11-29 21:41:10 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just let him be. Obviously its distressing no one else but you. The kitten is doing it for comfort, not nourishment. When I got my male kitten, he nursed on my older female cat (who is spayed). I asked the vet if anything was wrong with the kitten, and he said no, just that it was a bonding/comfort thing for both of them.
Eventually the kitten will stop on his own. The "nursing" behaviour won't go on forever.
2007-11-29 11:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by pixy_stix 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
this would not concern me. it really wouldn't.
Hey the kitty could already be dead had you not got in there in the nick of time, i think it deserves some nursemaiding
if you're certain though ( as they should normally be OK to stop at 8 weeks ) have you tried lukewarm milk in the bowl?
2007-11-29 11:27:51 · answer #8 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aww i think thats quite sweet of the dog
if she wasnt happy about it, im sure she would tell the kitty to get lost
the cat probably likes the comfort and the dog is feeling motherly
2007-11-29 11:28:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Grannick's Bitter Apple. You can buy it at a pet store or at the veterinarian.
2007-11-29 11:33:13 · answer #10 · answered by moomoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋