Hi everyone. I have a 21 week old cat and she has a suckling problem. Whenever I am stationary or am holding her she goes straight for my neck and starts suckling on it. I have read online that it is a sign of affection or that she was weaned to early. She was 10 weeks old when I got her from the SPCA and I was told by the vet that she would grow out of it, its fine if she did it once in awhile but every night when I am sleeping she goes straight for my neck or my arm and refuses to back off. Any suggestion on how to wean her off me?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Suckling kitty
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My Joshua (who was weaned too early) did something similar to that until he was three years old. Then it stopped. Sorry I can't be more encouraging, but putting up with it was well worth it.
Posted 3 years ago by Ivory Bill #
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Try getting your kitty a nice stuffed toy, like a beanie baby, put it in with some of your dirty clothes in the hamper for a day to pick up some of your scent, and give that to your kitty as a snuggle companion. Whenever kitty starts sucking on your neck, pleasantly but firmly use a consistent phrase such as "no biting" while removing kitty from your neck. Then with great affection give her the snuggle toy. If she settles for the toy, give her lots of positive feedback, praise, and petting. Hopefully she will get the idea eventually and transfer her need for continued sucking to the toy from you. It's worth a try. Good luck!
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Here are three other threads on this topic:
http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/9863
http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/9299
http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8648
One TDK kitty suckles on a blanket when his meowma goes to bed. He won't do it any other time and it has to be his special blankie.
One of our two kits likes to knead on my husband's arm/chest first thing in the morning and last thing at night. She is two years old. We think she is sleepy and happy and showing affection. It's kind of sweet! :D
Welcome to TDK!
Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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Hi Gallycat,one of the two last kitties that I handraised likes to suckle on the top of my shirt. I sort of tolerate it for a second or two because he was weaned too young. I just shift his position frequently to distract him and break the suction(lol) and he's doing it less and less. Or I put a towel between him and me to get him out of that mindframe. I still enjoy his purring on me though.
Welcome to TDK! -
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My thought is to get a super-soft scarf (there are some nice microfibers or chenilles available), and wrap that around your neck. When she suckles, have her suckle on the scarf around your neck. Let her do that for a couple of weeks. (And don't wash the scarf!)
Then, when you're ready, the next time she goes for it have the scarf folded up and ready to plop onto your shoulder. Redirect her suckling to the scarf. Continue until you can eventually move the scarf to the arm of your chair, or into your lap.
Good luck!
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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Oh wow, Anncetera2 has a great suggestion! Sounds better than the one I offered. This is quite likely to work. I know that a mature rescue kitty who adopted me and brought me home a few years ago (that's my story and I'm sticking with it! *LOL*) has a permanent suckling/kneading habit with soft plaid blankets.
This soft scarf idea sounds perfect!
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