I've got a cat that sucks.

[badgerpup]

No, really...he does.
This kitten is about three months old now and after 6 weeks I'm STILL trying to break him of sucking behavior.
He jumps up on me, purring ecstatically and starts try to suck on just about anything he can reach; earlobe, chin, arm, clothes...

I've tried to be a 'good' parent here...I've never allowed him get away with it,
even from the start.
Disengage him EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME and tell him firmly "No sucking!"
I've been consistent. So has he. He still sucks.
:banghead::crazy:
I don't like this behavior or think it's cute.
Any ideas on how to get him to stop?

[Broken_Hero]

1. Sorry...I'm basically going through the same thing

with our new puppy...he is about 4 months old, and is still clueless...

[kedrys]

2. Is he weaned?

Either way, they grow out of it relatively quickly. Give him a few more weeks.

Good luck! :hi:

[LeftyMom]

3. It's developmentally normal. You can't train him out of a developmental requirement.

Just give him a blanket or something that he can kneed and suck at instead of bothering you. He might outgrow it or it might be a comfort behavior all his life. I had a cat who was well into his teens who still nursed on his blanket when he was happy. Nothing else, just the one blanket. When he died we buried him with it.

[idgiehkt]

9. really

I had a cat who did the earlope thing. He eventually stopped of his own accord. But I thought it was cute.

It's certainly human sexual behavior, and no one freaks out about that, lol.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Give him a cat-sized fuzzy stuffed toy, maybe he'll suck on it.

He just misses his Mom, poor little guy. He'll get over it eventually, but don't punish him for it -- it's normal. He may have been weaned or taken from his mother too soon.

[badgerpup]

5. I think he WAS taken away from mom too soon...

...he's a very needy little guy.
I got him from Help For Homeless Pets, so I'm not the one who ripped him off the nipple.
They said he was about 7 weeks old but he was very small.
I'll try getting him his own blanket or something that's OK for him to suck...
I wish they made NUKs for kittens.

He follows me EVERYWHERE, insists on being in the same room with me, on me if possible...
in fact, he's 'helping' me with this post. :eyes:

The underfoot behavior is kind of an issue too...this morning he got stepped on and in an effort NOT to put my full weight on him I lost my balance, fell and smacked my head on the front door.

Little shit was peeking out from behind the couch. "Ooops..."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Awwww.

The sucking will subside, but the following around probably won't. There is a large 3-year-old cat who is crowding my keyboard right now, and who follows me wherever I go, especially to the bathroom.

By the way, you can't discuss a kitten without posting a picture. :)

[badgerpup]

10. I will keep this in mind and acquire a camera..

..and learn how to use the damn thing so I can download pics. :dunce:
Little guy is all black and lean and slinky with green eyes, the triangular Siamese-type head
and large ears... and a startled expression.

His name is MacFeegle...from the Terry Pratchett characters of the same name...
the Nac MacFeegles, or Pictsies.
He is fearless, audacious, can hide anywhere...and is a garbage gut gourmand.
Most cats don't like sweet potatoes, or pineapple juice, or a lot of other items more suited to an omnivore...:freak:

[China_cat]

12. Ask and you shall receive

I wish they made NUKs for kittens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kitten-and-Cat-Pacifiers-Pacifier-Toy-Pacifier_W0QQitemZ110066112144QQihZ001QQcategoryZ20741QQcmdZViewItem

[badgerpup]

19. Thanks!

:hug: I will have to check that out!
This should make an excellent Christmas gift for both of us!
:rofl:

[InternalDialogue]

7. I had a vet who once told me to place my fingers on his head.

He said that cats establish dominance when playing by placing their paws on each others foreheads, right between the eyes. The vet told me you can sometimes discourage certain behavior by stopping it and resting your fingers or palm right on your cat's face. Just hold it there until the cat pulls away -- that's a sign he's submitting. I don't know if it works with a young cat or with a cat who's sucking, but it worked to stop my adult cat from nipping at my chin with his teeth.

[FedUpWithIt All]

8. For some reason a chenille blanket worked for us.

He was in love with that blanket. Must be a scent to it or something. All of his infant throwbacks were reserved for time with his blanket.

Good luck...:hi:

[EFerrari]

11. Sorry to be cantankerous but at three months old, YOU

still sucked.

What is the problem?

:)

[BikeWriter]

13. I bought the ex a Pomeranian out of Champions...

He was a Son and Brother to two Champions that did the Pedigree Dog food commercials for several years. He'd suck on his stuffed toy we gave him as a little buddy to snuggle with.

[Avalux]

14. I have a cat that sucks too - he hasn't grown out of it.

Doesn't do it as frequently anymore, but Milo is now a year and a half old and sometimes still sucks for comfort. I found a soft pillow he's happy with using. My recommendation is to 'redirect' your kitty to something else other than you cause I don't think you can make him stop completely; it's instinct for him. :hi:

[Kashka-Kat]

15. Youre right, he was taken away from mom too young

6 weeks is too young-- esp. if he has any Siamese or oriental breed in him, they develope slower than other cats and 12 weeks is recommended the age you'd take away from mom. For other cats Ive been hearing 10-12 wks lately, just because the additional development time has been shown to be beneficial for them. (on't worry there's still plenty of kittenish behavior to enjoy.)

Don't laugh but I've heard from reliable source (our local radio pet psychologist) that this could work - get a toy baby bottle, fill with milk and let him nurse on that ... Seriously! Since he's still young I think Id gie it a try.. just to let him get that stage of development out of the way. If you do it I'd be curious about how it works!

I wouldn't let him suck on wool or clothing, or anything. It could develop into eating or ingesting the fibers which can cause problems.

[trof]

16. A previous cat 'nursed' on blankets all his life.

He'd wear a hole in one.

[Flaxbee]

17. and really -- "I don't like this behavior"??

sorry, I know I'm going to sound harsh, but he's a KITTEN for chrissakes! Give the little guy a break. He's not a dog who will do damn near anything to please you, he's a kitten who misses his mommy, was weaned too young, and now you have to be understanding and gentle with the little guy. He'll give you love and understanding his whole life, so cut him some slack.

He doesn't know he's doing it, this is instinct, this is a way for him to comfort himself.

[badgerpup]

22. I guess that does sound kind of harsh...

...but I do need to set boundaries on what kind of behavior will and will not be tolerated.
Things like getting up on the kitchen counter, scratching furniture (aside from the scratching post), snitching from my plate when I'm not looking, and sucking on inappropriate objects (or people, not just me) all fall under "unacceptable".
Believe me, he doesn't lack for praise, attention, pets and snuggles...I have a kitten graft except when he's eating, sleeping or wrestling with one of the older cats.

I DO realize you can't really punish a cat, not if you want good results and a loving trusting relationship...all you can do is re-direct their behavior into more acceptable channels.

I've had many cats over the years, and they've all trusted me utterly, so I must be doing something right.
I'm basing this fond belief on the fact that they allow me to give them icky pills and meds without struggling, or clip claws, or treat an abcess, or even...(gulp) a BATH!
The worst that happens with a bath is they'll cuss me out, and that's the end of it.
They're speaking to me again within half an hour, and there are no little 'presents' to deal with.
I'm damn lucky to have such a forgiving crew.

MacFeegle is the first cat I've had who displays sucking behavior. He's getting a pacifier for an early Christmas gift, methinks. :)

[Flaxbee]

23. yeah, I didn't mean to attack you...

you just sounded very stern. I have 7 cats and tolerate damn near anything but scratching/biting or nosing into "people" food.

It sounds like you're a good animal person. Little MacFeegle just needs to mature a bit, as you obviously know.

:hi: to you and MacFeegle. Post pictures soon, please!

[begin_within]

18. I had a cat that used to suck on my finger, all throughout his life.

I think it was a nursing behavior, as if he was never properly weaned. He seemed to enjoy it and would do it for a minute or two, then stop and have that "satiated" look, so I guess it fulfilled him somehow.

[Rue]

20. My experience with cat nursing behavior

When my family first bought our younger cat Pompey home, he would "nurse" on my father's arm. He was a grownup at the time (estimated 2-3 years). Of course, our older cat was not happy to have a new friend and was constantly attacking him, so Pompey probably felt insecure.

The nursing behavior stopped just before Pompey began fighting back. Maybe the little guy feels insecure like he did? I'd keep doing what you are, but being loving with him. I'm sure he'll stop eventually.

[Roon]

21. I used to have a cat that would suck on my neck

he used to leave little hickeys all over. He never outgrew it.