What is it?
Nutritional suckling is normal
kitten behavior before kittens are
weaned. It is normal for kittens to
knead, suckle and purr. After
weaning, some kittens continue
suckling, perhaps to relax. Think of
this behavior as a baby with a
Some kittens continue suckling
longer than others just like some
children continue a pacifier or
sucking a thumb. Some kittens stop
suckling but continue kneading.
If kittens are very stressed,
suckling can become an obsessive
Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
are behaviors that are repeated over
and over, also called, repetitive
behaviors. OCD behaviors are hard
to interrupt. Sometimes, suckling
results in self-inflicted wounds.
Kittens may lick or pull out fur
until one area is raw.
What to do?
Ignore suckling if no harm no foul. If
the cat is ingesting material, then
seek professional help. Begin with a veterinary exam
and consultation with a veterinary
behaviorist to see if medications
and behavior therapy are indicated.
The goal will be to redirect the cat
into activities or materials that
are nor harmful.
Hunthausen, W., & Landsberg, G.
(2003). Handbook of Behavior
Problems of the Dog and Cat. London,
England: Elsevier Science Limited.
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