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Tips to Keep Your Pet Calm and Secure During Storm
Tips to Keep Your Pet Calm and Secure During Storm
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hibakhanam
1 post
Dec 12, 2024
7:46 PM
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We love our pets, but we realize that our pets can face anxiety, too, whether due to storms, fireworks, or other stressful life events. But did you know that getting the right pet accessories can help a nervous pet feel safe and loved? Here’s how small adjustments can turn stressful moments into bonding or comfort opportunities. That is how Poochi Paws new store online can help your furry friend to get relaxed and have a great stress-free life. Read more
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Jack Piter
3 posts
Mar 09, 2025
7:09 AM
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Anxious cat can do excessive nursing on blanket and their owner.
Learn Should You Late Your Cat Nurse on you
Kittens are capable of winning the heart of any cat owner by their adorable antics. However, there are times that their antics leave the pet owners scratching their heads. One other surprising behavior often seen by novice owners is nursing. It’s not uncommon for kittens to try to nurse on their owners, which leaves many people wondering: “Is this normal? Should I let them?”
Here we will share our experience about this matter. We will discuss the reasons for kittens nursing their owners, what should you do and how to redirect this behavior is the safe way.
Why Does Your Cat Nurse on You?
The reasons for cats sucking on you are similar to why cats suckle on your blankets. When cats suck on their owner, it might seem unusual, but it’s a relatively common behavior. The primary reasons for this are seeking comfort and security. They consider their owner's body as their mother. Here are the most common reasons behind this curious quirk:
1. Seeking Comfort or Security
Nursing is a natural behavior for kittens, largely associated with feelings of comfort and safety. Your kitten may see you as a maternal figure. Therefore, they seek to nurse for self-soothing. This is particularly common in stressful circumstances like settling down in a new home.
2. Early Weaning
If kittens are removed from their mothers too early, they may not have been able to satisfy their nursing instincts. Ideally the mother-caring period should last until 8 weeks of age or longer. If very early weaning has occurred, there may be an instinct to suck on soft fabrics, blankets, or even you to make up for the missed experience.
3. Behavioral Traits
Some kittens develop a lasting habit of nursing well past their weaning phase. Much like in certain humans, who find comfort in habits such as thumb-sucking or nail-biting, kittens will nurse simply because it is a habit-there is comfort in familiarity.
4. For Familiar Scent
They might consider their owner's scent as their mother if the owner raises them from kitten-hood. This makes them encouraged to suckle on the owner.
5. Stress or Anxiety
All those changes can induce anxiety in your kitten like moving house, loud noises, even the arrival of strangers such as humans or animals. Nursing may help in coping with this stress.
Understanding why your kitten is nursing on you is the first step in deciding how to handle it. But is allowing the behavior safe for both you and your kitten?
Should You Let Your Kitten Nurse on You?
It is okay to let your kitten nurse on you if you enjoy this activity. But you have to maintain some possible safety concerns before making a good idea. The concerns are:
1. Hygiene Concerns
Kittens could potentially give you germs, as they tend to nurse on your skin or clothes. Especially when they have finished using the litter box. Prolonged contact with moisture on the skin could also lead to skin irritation or discomfort for you.
2. Potential for Discomfort
Your kitten's playtime could involve gentle nibbling or even scratching sharp claws a little. This can cause mild injury or skin irritation, especially if it becomes a continuous pattern.
3. Habit Reinforcement
Though it initially may appear harmless, allowing this behavior may serve to cement into a habit that will be more difficult to change later on. This may make it quite hard to divert the kitten's attention as they mature.
While the very occasional nip might not hurt, allowing for long-term nursing might not be good for either of you. No need to fret! You can help your cat gently and lovingly to break this habit.
How to Stop a Cat from Suckling on You?
An important factor for kitten care is a redirection of this nursing behavior without creating stress; here is how:
1. Redirect with a Suitable Alternative
Provide your kitten with some acceptable alternatives, such as soft plush toys or a warm blanket. Gently guide them to these objects when they try to nurse on you. You could even use products specially designed for kittens, like comfort toys designed to feel warm or imitate a heartbeat.
2. Distract with Playtime
Interactive play may do wonders to reduce nursing. Feather wands or tiny balls can be used to engage your kitten in some active play. Such stimulation will not only distract the kitten but also burn off some of its extra energy.
3. Remain Consistent
In order to break this behavior, you must be continuous in your approach. Never timestamp this behavior. Even when you would feel affectionate, do not permit this deed. Mixed signals will only confound your kitten and will therefore make the habit stick more easily.
4. Positive Reinforcement
When your kitten interrupts her nursing with acceptable behavior, reward her by giving her loving encouragement such as praise or gentle petting or offering small treats to reinforce this behavior.
Always keep in mind, patience, consistency and kindness are crutial throughout the process. Your pet is trying to seek comfort and warmth. That's why you need to be gentle when discouraging the behavior.
Alternatives to Nursing That Comfort Your Kitten
Most likely regarding your kitty's way of nursing as comfort, alternative forms of nurturing will help fulfill that comfort need. Here are some other ways you can recreate that calming sensation:
1. Soft Bedding and Blankets
Give your cats a cozy and comforting corner enriched with plush fleece, warm blankets or beddings where they can snuggle. A soft kitten friendly blanket is an ideal choice for sucking. If they get a soft and warm corner, slowly they will do this activity in their own designed area. It will help protect sucking on you.
2. Specially Designed Kitten Toys
Consider investing in toys like kitten pacifiers or stuffed toys with simulated heartbeats to provide comfort and warmth.
3. Regular Bonding Time
It could be all about spending quality time with your kitten. Gentle brushing, cuddling, or just sitting together help in strengthening the bond between the two of you. This reduces their need to nurse.
Because they do not form unwanted habits, the kitten can rely on these ways for psychological and physiological pleasure.
When to Consult a Vet
While nursing is often harmless and rooted in natural instincts, there are certain situations where professional advice might be necessary.
Persistent Nursing Combined with Stress Symptoms
If your kitten is exhibiting too much anxiety, lethargy, or reduced appetite with nursing behaviors, call your veterinarian.
Abnormal Nursing Frequency
In case of nursing obsession and any prohibitory behavior against the fodder or game-playing activities, it is a good idea to get expert advice.
Skin Irritation or Stomach Issues
Pouring fabric softener or baking soda onto the carpet or furniture can cause damage to a cat’s respiratory system if they come into close contact with these substances.
When in doubt, a quick consultation with a vet will help rule out any serious concerns.
In Summary
Your kittens nursing on you may seem unusual but is often a harmless way for your kitten to seek comfort. However, it’s important to ensure the behavior doesn’t become harmful or reinforce long-term habits.
You can decrease nursing behavior on the part of your kitten by offering gentle guidance & alternatives.
Last Edited by Jack Piter on Mar 15, 2025 11:45 AM
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