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how do i stop my kitten from nursing on each other

by Selmer Greenfelder Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How do I stop my kitten from nursing on each other? When you notice two kittens connected in a way that no two kittens ever should be, gently pry them apart and separate them. Supervise the nursing kitten to make sure he won't simply turn to another littermate. Split them up every time you notice this nursing until the behavior fades.

The best way to stop the suckling is to separate Milo and Bessy when you see it happening. Don't raise your voice or otherwise express your disapproval; just gently lift Milo off Bessy. To keep him from going right back to her, distract him with a toy and playtime.Aug 12, 2016

Full Answer

How can you tell if cat is still nursing kittens?

Telltale Signs That a Stray Cat Has Babies

  • Engorged Breasts. The nipples of a female cat become red and enlarged as early as two weeks of pregnancy. ...
  • Sudden Weight Loss. Does it seem like the stray cat has lost a lot of weight after just a few days of not seeing it? ...
  • Always Hungry. ...
  • Bloody Discharge. ...

How to keep my kittens from nursing on each other?

  • Put tape on electrical wiring so your little ones do not hurt themselves.
  • Keep household chemicals out of her way.
  • Give your little ones a few special toys to chew on:
  • Soak the chew toys in broth or rub them all over with your hands (your kitten loves your scent and is more likely to chew something that smells like you).

More items...

What should you feed your cat as she is nursing kittens?

Nursing mother cats usually do well on commercial foods made for kittens. Dry and moist foods are both suitable. While nursing, they require foods with elevated levels of protein, just like developing kittens, hence the need to temporarily stay away from adult formulas. Extra protein isn't the only necessity for feeding nursing cats.

How soon after birth should kittens start nursing?

  • The kitten is not freed from the birth sac: The kittens usually emerge in individual birth sacs that the mother then licks away. ...
  • The mother is pushing hard for more than 20 minutes: This is a sign she is having difficulty birthing. ...
  • The kitten doesn't suckle after one hour: Most kittens suckle within an hour or two of being born. ...

How do I get my kitten to stop nursing on my other kitten?

Only one thing will stop a kitten from nursing inappropriately -- separation. When you notice two kittens connected in a way that no two kittens ever should be, gently pry them apart and separate them. Supervise the nursing kitten to make sure he won't simply turn to another littermate.

Why does my kitten try to nurse on my other kitten?

In our experience, harmful, non-productive suckling behavior most commonly happens when kittens are orphaned at 2-3 weeks of age; and about 50% of orphaned kittens at this age will tend to suckle on each other.

Why are my kittens sucking each others nipples?

The causes of kitten suckling can include being separated from mom too early. Ideally, kittens should not be weaned from mom earlier than six weeks. But according to ASPCA information online, cat or kitten suckling can also be a sign of stress, compulsive behavior, or even just happiness or contentment.

Do kittens nurse on each other?

While studying the health and behavior of orphaned kittens in local foster homes, SVM researchers discovered that 40 percent of the litters were sucking on each other.

Is there a pacifier for kittens?

What Is a Kitten Pacifier? A kitten pacifier can be used to wean a kitten off its mother. It is considered necessary when a kitten is removed from mom too early, but some kittens will benefit from one regardless of age.

How to stop Bessy from suckling?

The best way to stop the suckling is to separate Milo and Bessy when you see it happening. Don’t raise your voice or otherwise express your disapproval; just gently lift Milo off Bessy. To keep him from going right back to her, distract him with a toy and playtime.

Does Bessy stop Milo from nursing?

Bessy doesn’t stop him because, even though it may cause irritation, Milo’s nursing triggers her motherly instincts, and she probably gets a sense of contentment from it. I’d also suggest you take Bessy and Milo in for a checkup. The nursing can lead to infections, and I’m concerned about that lump.

Why do kittens suckle on each other?

The kittens were suckling on each others genitals, and caused such damage that several required surgery, and still did not survive. It is very important to keep them separate. As babies, that urge to suckle is so strong, because it is what would be keeping them alive if they had a Momma.

Can you separate kittens?

Yes, please separate them. They are only going for what feels natural to them and do not understand that this is not mom's teat. I have good luck with giving each kitten their own cubicle to sleep in and also give them a soft dog toy to snuggle with. You can use cardboard to separate them, that way they stay warm and still can be somewhat close. Poke some pencil size holes in the cardboard walls so they can still smell each other-

How long does it take for a 9 week old kitten to give up?

When my 9 week old kitten is in the room alone, he cries desperately at the door. After about 20-30 minutes of this he will give up, but it breaks my heart to hear. It also makes the other kitten quite concerned when this happens.

Does an older kitten mind rash?

As long as the older kitten doesn't seem to mind (he'll tell the younger kitten if he DOES mind too much ex: getting up and walking away, hissing, growling, swatting) and it's not causing a rash then I'd leave it.

How long do kittens stay hungry?

This behavior can usually be stopped by seperating the kittens for a short time, (one to two weeks ) Some rare cases may require longer periods of seperation.

Can you spray bitter apple on cats?

Bitter apple spray can be used, (your local pet store should have it in the cat isle) you can spray it on a cotton ball and dab generously on the genitals. Some kittens, if determined enough, will still attempt to nurse even with the bitter apple spray. Cats are creatures of routine.

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