Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   So,

   My boyfriend and I have had our kitty Henry for about 3 weeks now, which I guess places him at around 11 weeks of age.

   Right now he's sprawled out on a fluffy pillow, sucking on it and kneading with his paws, and purring away. I know that this is normal for kittens who have been taken away from their mothers or littermates too early.

   Even though this is "normal" behavior, should I encourage him to stop, or just let him keep doing it?

   I find this strange mostly because he's only done this once or twice since we got him, and now it seems like it's all he wants to do.

   Posted 1 year ago by skirty #

2. 

   Hi, Skirty.

   As long as he's not swallowing any cloth or fiber, I wouldn't try to make him stop. It comforts him to do this. Many cats show this behavior; my first cat used to suck on a blanket while he was settling down to go to sleep at night.

   Posted 1 year ago by Leeny #

3. 

   NO - don't stop him! My Bobby who's 1 1/2 now still sucks on "his" blanket and I love it and hope he never stops.
   It's a way for them to comfort themselves. Bobby does it when he's tired, if he isn't feeling well or when I've traumatized him with a bath! Depending on how he feels, he does this 1-5 times a day.
   As Leeny also tells, Bobby comes up and sucks the blanket every night next to me as soon as I turn off the light - it he's bedtime ritual.

   You may want to get your Henry a teddy bear to keep him warm and keep him company, as well.

   Posted 1 year ago by GreatDane #

4. 

   Thanks for the replies :)
   He gets plenty of company: he has us on a short leash, lol.

   I was just really curious as to why he started to do it almost out of the blue.

   Posted 1 year ago by skirty #

5. 

   It's just one of those things cats do, skirty. We'll never know why. :-)

   Posted 1 year ago by Leeny #

6. 

   Welcome skirty!! my Blackbeard suckles too. He will only suckle on my fuzzy robe..

   Posted 1 year ago by 2bpurring #

7. 

   Henry is a cute little boy!
   I had a kitty named Phoenix that used to suckle on my blanket every time he got the chance. I could never figure out why he did that but we weren't able to get him to stop either. It was actually kind of cute to watch.

   Posted 1 year ago by owlwatcher_974 #

8. 

   Henry is GORGEOUS! I've heard of cats that do this, but none of mine have ever displayed suckling. Sounds cute!

   Posted 1 year ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

9. 

   Henry is gorgeous! I sent a friend's invite.

   Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

10. 

    Welcome Skirty! And what gorgeous little man that Henry is !!!

    Posted 1 year ago by 2 Popoki #

11. 

    Skirty, your kitten Henry is probably doing this as a way to comfort himself. As long as he's not actually ingesting any fibers, it's harmless and should not be discouraged. If you want him to transfer some of his happy feelings as a kitten, when he was nursing on his mama, to you, go ahead and pet him while he's doing it.

    Posted 1 year ago by anncetera2 #

12. 

    Henry's a gorgeous little kitten! What a sweetie!

    Posted 1 year ago by anncetera2 #

13. 

    I sent your sweetie a friend invite on Catster.

    Posted 1 year ago by Cats4Cats #

14. 

    My Cheetah Boy sucks on his blanket every night when we go to bed. He pulls his blanket over the crook of our knees, then he kneads, sucks and purrs. I think it's like a child sucking its thumb; it just makes him feel good.

    Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

15. 

    My two year old cats both knead on my hubby and I. Digit likes to knead my stomach when I'm online and stretched out with my feet up. Furl likes to knead on my husband's shoulder and upper arm at night before collapsing into sleep. It is harmless and, as the others who've commented said, it is comforting to the cat or kitten.

    Welcome to the Daily Kitten, Skirty!

    Posted 1 year ago by Kitten Whisperer #

16. 

    Hello and welcome to TDK skirty! I peeked at your catster page and Henry is such a cutie pie!!!!! Really love the third pic w/his little play toy! My 4 do a little bit of biscuit making (kneading) but not the suckling. I think it's so sweet when they do it. I'd say it's a compliment to you..the safety you give him reminds him of his own mommy and her safety. Oh..I hope you don't mind...I sent your Henry a friend invite from my 4pk. of kitties..

    Posted 1 year ago by Karenopa #

17. 

    Thanks for all the replies and welcomes!
    (Also all the invites on catster!)

    It is very cute when he does it, so I'm glad to hear that it's not really harmful to him. I've had 5 cats and none of them have done this, so it was just new to me!

    (your kittehs are all very sweet!)

    Posted 1 year ago by skirty #

18. 

    Welcome! You baby is gorgeous. Please let him do it, it's very comforting for them. I've had kitties 18 years old plus who still do it!! Can you see the pretty look of complete contentment and relaxation in his eyes?

    Posted 1 year ago by Tigerlilly #

19. 

    OMG - How cute is little Henry! Tikka has sent a friends invite as well.

    Welcome to TDK! :-D

    Posted 1 year ago by Rubia in CA, 4/28 #

20. 

    Skirty, welcome to TDK! Henry is so precious; We left him a treat and sent a friend's invite....

    Posted 1 year ago by kittymom #

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