Pinky is an odd cat

My Pinky is about 7 years old and worships the ground that Stumpy walks upon. For his entire life, he has tried to nurse off of Stumpy. Yes, I said nurse. Pinky was not separated from his mother too young. He was 4 months old when I took him from his mom. So this is not a weaned too early and still likes to suckle problem with him.

He will approach Stumpy in a very humble, submission fashion. He will lay on his belly with his head pushed against Stumpy's side, then slowly nose his way under his belly. Once there he tries to suckle. He doesn't kneed and he actually doesn't really nurse, but makes all of the movements as if he is trying to suckle. Stumpy usually just sits there but sometimes gets annoyed and walks away. Pinky will choose times when Stumpy is somewhat occupied, such as when he is eating.

Has anyone witnessed this behavior with your older cats? Any ideas behind the behavior? It isn't a problem, just very odd and I'm trying very hard to get into Pinky's head to understand what is prompting him to do this. I understand that part of it is submissive behavior, it's just a very odd way to express that behavior. In all my years I've not seen this with other cats.

(yup, once in a while even I scratch my head in confusion at them)

Sorry Amy - this is a new one on me! I'm glad Stumpy's not too bothered by it. It really just sounds too cute!



Laurie

I feed Stumpy his canned food on the dining room table (he is toothless and needs meals to himself). Pinky always hops up when I do this and while he doesn't try to eat his food, he just tries this nursing behavior on him the entire time. This morning he was very persistent. When he does it while I'm feeding him, I simply slide his body away from Stumpy. This morning he wouldn't give it up and I had to escort him off the table at least 5 times. The last time on the floor, I pointed my finger at him and told him to stop it. He bit my finger in anger at me, then proceeded to hop up on the table on the end away from me to return.

It was his level of obsession with the behavior that prompted me to ask others today. And it is an obsession of his!

I once had a cat that would not stop suckling my earlobes. And when he would lay on me at night to sleep he would make suckle sounds and drool all over me. I know that's not much help in your situation but it does show you are not alone!

Kiko (who will be 5 in Feb) does this to Easy, exactly the way you described it. Its funny how he is trying to do it in a sneaky way. Up until last year, Easy would still let him every once in a while. But then I noticed her running away with Kiko running behind her crying

Kiko is all about love. He likes to be as close as he can, when hes awake or asleep. I always just thought it was his baby personality and refusal to grow up Hes also extremely easy going and will litterally let me do anything to him and just purr. I just think its just the way he is. I wouldnt be surprised if he was still trying when he was 15.

Originally Posted by Pami

Kiko is all about love. He likes to be as close as he can, when hes awake or asleep. I always just thought it was his baby personality and refusal to grow up Hes also extremely easy going and will litterally let me do anything to him and just purr. I just think its just the way he is. I wouldnt be surprised if he was still trying when he was 15.

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Well I'm happy to know that there are other cats in the world that do this!

Pinky is the cat in the house that tries to portray himself as a tough guy but is really a mushy bundle of love. He's an over stimulation biter, so while he comes for loving, I have to be very careful that he doesn't bite me in the process.

He's always been more bonded with other cats than people. He'll spend 98% of his time with them and 2% of his time with me. But boy does he snuggle in when he wants to!

And it is funny to see Pinky, who looks like he weighs about 20 pounds with his fur, bowing to Stumpy, who is about 11 pounds.

Oh well, just smile about it and realize its just another cat mystery!