14 week old kitten still tries to ‘nurse’ on my fingers/face

[Finnelys_Mom]

Hi All,
How do I get my kitten to stop trying to ’nurse’ on me? He was a feral and found on a roof, nursed by hand for a couple weeks and I got him around 7-8 weeks old. It does it when he’s sleepy, it’s almost like a cat pacifier. I fear if I let it go on too long he‘ll do it forever?? TIA

 

[susanm9006]

I had one kitten that nursed on my finger. If she was tired or upset it was either listening to her scream for hours or walking her while she nursed. I let her do it until she was a year old and very slowly began cutting down the time allowed it until I quit all together

 

[danteshuman]

Can you try covering your finger under a wool knitted scarf/blanket or fake suede blanket? Wash the blanket with unscented laundry detergent/softener so it doesn’t have a funny taste.

 

[Alldara]

He may still want to bottle nurse. Do you know if he was allowed to wean himself off his bottle?

I know Kitten Lady usually recommends letting them have their bottle as long as they want it. I think at one point she even adopted a kitten out with a bottle.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...T66zUh8FjWC8HMffcmi7WvMSl&id=1663542003899749

 

[maggie101]

My cat was semi feral when I first brought her in. Now 8 yrs old she still chews my necklace and bracelet though not as much. As your kitten ages the nursing will stop

 

[Finnelys_Mom]

Can you try covering your finger under a wool knitted scarf/blanket or fake suede blanket? Wash the blanket with unscented laundry detergent/softener so it doesn’t have a funny taste.

If I cover my hands, he tries to nurse on my face. It’s almost easier to just let him do it because otherwise I’m pushing him off all night. Sometimes I can fall asleep with him sucking on my finger. Last night I feel like I didn’t sleep at all, thankfully, it’s not every night.

 

[Finnelys_Mom]

My cat was semi feral when I first brought her in. Now 8 yrs old she still chews my necklace and bracelet though not as much. As your kitten ages the nursing will stop

Hopefully he outgrows this soon!

 

[Finnelys_Mom]

He may still want to bottle nurse. Do you know if he was allowed to wean himself off his bottle?

I know Kitten Lady usually recommends letting them have their bottle as long as they want it. I think at one point she even adopted a kitten out with a bottle.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...T66zUh8FjWC8HMffcmi7WvMSl&id=1663542003899749

I am not sure if he was, I guess I could buy a bottle or ’pacifer’.

 

[susanm9006]

You can try letting him nurse for a few minutes, then take your finger away and say “all done”. If he comes back for more, set him on the floor. If he persists, shut him out of the room. If you are consistent with the routine he may learn that “all done” means just that or there are consequences.

 

[Alldara]

I am not sure if he was, I guess I could buy a bottle or ’pacifer’.

I would try offering him a bottle with some kitten formula. I can't see how it would do any harm. He might just need it awhile as he settles in to your home.

You can also try grooming him with a damp toothbrush.

 

[heatherwillard0614]

You can also try grooming him with a damp toothbrush.

Is this to simulate being cleaned by momma? That is brilliant!!!!! And I agree, I think letting him have a bottle for a little while will help him settle in a little easier

 

[Alldara]

Is this to simulate being cleaned by momma? That is brilliant!!!!! And I agree, I think letting him have a bottle for a little while will help him settle in a little easier

Yes exactly! I think it really helped Magnus.

 

[heatherwillard0614]

Yes exactly! I think it really helped Magnus.

I think that is an ingenious idea!!!

 

[price053]

Hi All,
How do I get my kitten to stop trying to ’nurse’ on me? He was a feral and found on a roof, nursed by hand for a couple weeks and I got him around 7-8 weeks old. It does it when he’s sleepy, it’s almost like a cat pacifier. I fear if I let it go on too long he‘ll do it forever?? TIA

I think that when the time is right he will start to do it on his own or with some help. Right now I think it is a security thing and is okay and feeding him a bottle till he is ready to stop is a good thing. He is just now old enough to be off the bottle but who really knows when his last meal from Mom was.