New cat 'nursing' on its brother

akiralx · 09-09-2010, 12:45 AM

Our two new cats are 5 months old - one keeps 'nursing' on the stomach of the other, and kneading it. Doesn't seem to bother either cat and both are happy and eat well so I suppose he will grow out of it.

He must just miss his mother - though I gave him a little milk the other day, I wonder if that reminded him and caused it.

Both are due to be desexed in a couple of weeks - might that help? Anyone else seen this behaviour before?

Heidi n Q · 09-09-2010, 02:27 AM

I have seen it in orphaned kittens and young-ish cats around the age of yours. Generally they do grow out of it. Sometimes they don't and you wind up with a "comfort-nurser". I had one who liked to suck thumbs. Specifically *my* thumb and I learned to sleep with my hands covered or under me. If I didn't, it was highly probable that when I woke he'd be attached to my poor, sore, thumb. He retained this behavior all his 11 years though after the age of 1 he really only insisted on sucking my thumb if he was feeling nervous; like when visitors first arrived.

09-09-2010, 12:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
akiralx Tom Cat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melbourne, VIC. Posts: 587	New cat 'nursing' on its brother Our two new cats are 5 months old - one keeps 'nursing' on the stomach of the other, and kneading it. Doesn't seem to bother either cat and both are happy and eat well so I suppose he will grow out of it. He must just miss his mother - though I gave him a little milk the other day, I wonder if that reminded him and caused it. Both are due to be desexed in a couple of weeks - might that help? Anyone else seen this behaviour before? __________________ Alex

09-09-2010, 02:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Heidi n Q Premier Cat Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 17,101	I have seen it in orphaned kittens and young-ish cats around the age of yours. Generally they do grow out of it. Sometimes they don't and you wind up with a "comfort-nurser". I had one who liked to suck thumbs. Specifically my thumb and I learned to sleep with my hands covered or under me. If I didn't, it was highly probable that when I woke he'd be attached to my poor, sore, thumb. He retained this behavior all his 11 years though after the age of 1 he really only insisted on sucking my thumb if he was feeling nervous; like when visitors first arrived. __________________ Spay it forward. (neuter, too!) I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey look, a cat! =^..^=

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
CatForum.com Advertisement