8 week old kitten - doesn't like affection but suckles like crazy

We got a beautiful kitten a couple of weeks ago.

He follows me most places but doesn't like being touched. He will come and sit RIGHT next to me but as soon as I try pat him he gets up a moves a few steps away and sits back down. He won't let you pick him up...he just wriggles away. I know he loves me because he sleeps right near me all the time (if we're in the lounge room he sleeps near me there and as soon as we move to the bedroom he sleeps right next to my head on the pillow...he is sleeping between the keyboard and the monitor right now).

The only time he likes it is when he's suckling on my neck (which is most mornings - very early and even during the day)...he purrs like crazy and gets really ticked off if I try take him off. His claws are getting really sharp and starting to hurt (he paws as he suckles).

I want to stop him suckling but am finding it hard because it's the only time he will let me hold and pat him.

What do I do? How do I stop the suckling but get him to let me hold him...I just want to cuddle him!

His name is Yoshi

Aww he looks gorgeous, sometimes if they have been taken away from their mother to young they may suckle, its just a comfort thing, out of three cats one of mine will suckle and knead with her paws, i find it rather cute, she is 15 month now and still does it. Also some cats do not like being picked up much, they just prefer to have all four paws on the ground. Good luck.

Welcome to TheCatSite.

Yoshi is adorable.
Your sweetie might have been weened a bit early. The suckling comforts him.
Be sure to trim those sharp claws.

I am sure that other members will have some helpful feedback for you soon.

As far as the claws go, just keep them trimmed so they're not so sharp. I've been getting a lot less accidental punctures since I trimmed my kitties nails back yesterday. They haven't seemed to notice yet.

Yoshi is adorable.

As for the suckling, my Gracie did that as a baby...she's 8 years old and still does it, I just keep her claws trimmed so she doesn't shread me to ribbons.

As someone else said some cats just don't like to be picked up.
Gracie would let us tote her around all day long, Elliott will allow us to pick him up, but he's not happy about it.
Annabelle is all teeth and claws if we try to pick her up.
She allows us to pet her, she'll sit on our laps, sleep with us, but God forbide you try to pick her up

Originally Posted by Graciecat

As someone else said some cats just don't like to be picked up.
Gracie would let us tote her around all day long, Elliott will allow us to pick him up, but he's not happy about it.
Annabelle is all teeth and claws if we try to pick her up.
She allows us to pet her, she'll sit on our laps, sleep with us, but God forbide you try to pick her up

Click to expand...

My kitties Dexter and Sadie are the same way....
they love laps, beds, kneading, cuddles but hate to be picked up.

I had a cat Glitch who did that till the day they he died. He was 6 months old and would have done it forever! I loved it, it was cute and he had a special blanket to suck on! I think Yoshi was just weaned too soon and alot of kittys get over when they get older! I always liked it and encouraged it though!
The claw thing stinks but beside clipping I dont know if you can do much more! Maybe find something soft, mother like that he likes to do the "happy paws" things with more! Mine had a binky and he sucked and "happy pawed" on! Good luck! Keep us informed! I think he might have been taken away too early since they aren't suppose to go until between 12-16 weeks! (so Ive been told by the members here)

Hehe is it anything like this with him on the keyboard??

^^^that's exactly what he's like!

I am slowly starting to try ween him off my neck and he seems to enjoy my hand just as much (and it doesn't hurt as much). He is persistant little man...I get up from the couch after a good half hour suckling and he follows me to the computer for some more. I do find it incredibly cute though!

Also...how do I get boogers out of his nose?

Is there any way you can just get a kleenex and get it wet and wipe them off? Or maybe a wet baby washrag would be soft enough! You baby YoshI is beautiful!! Good luck to ya, Let me know how it goes and if you actually get 'em to stop nursing! LOL

I got him cleaned up just with a tissue...

I once had a cat that did the same but he preferred ear lobes.

We got Sheeba at 8 weeks old too and like your Yoshi she didn't like to be picked up or petted either. This might be a silly suggestion, but have you tried to hold him gently under his chest and use the other hand to support his behind? That worked with Sheeba after a while, although she would still squirm . Someone told me that it's because it's scary for kittens to be so far from the ground since they're so little.

About the suckling issue - I know many people here on TCS say that kittens suckle because they were taken away from mom to early. My male (almost 6 months now) still suckles and he was with mom and litter mates until he was 15 weeks old. Like xocats said, I think some kittens/cats just do it for comfort or if they are stressed maybe?

Good luck with him, he sure is cute

He is sucking on my arm right now!

It's alot easier now because he seems to like arm/hand just as much so it doesn't actually hurt.

He is getting alot more affectionate...still doesn't like being held but will now let us touch him, pat him etc.

His gums seem to be a little swollen and he chews my hand like crazy, is there anything I can give him to ease the teething???

I had a cat that sucked on earlobes also! But he preferred what was then called "the Lip"!! He would sneak up on me while I was sleeping and latch on and Id be like OWWY!! It was so cute though you couldn't resist! But he also had a "learning disorder".... Or however you may want to put that!

I gave my babies a fuzzy scarf to "make bread on" and they loved it. plus you can put the scarf in your lap if you like and they'll climb up there.

as far as cleaning the babies up I used wet wipes for pets. you can get them just about anywhere they sell pet supplies, like target, walmart, etc. as well as regular pet supply stores.

We have had a break through, he now climbs up onto my lap if I have a pillow there and lets me hold him (even if it is for 5 minutes max).

My best friend has an 8 month old cat and they are SOOOO cute...the best of mates...they are both such beautiful cats!



This is Fezz...he is just as gorgeous...Fezz has taken on the older brother role and grooms and teaches Yoshi how to fight! They went nuts in two boxes last night...HOURS of entertainment!



Fezz gives the best evil looks...

omg they are adorable...

Yoshi is gorgeous. I've had Blossom since she was 3 weeks old, she doesn't suckle, but loves to lick us. Both Blossom & my old torty Coco don't like being held. And heaven forbid if you try to sit with them in your lap. Blossom does love being tickled & petted around the ears & under her chin. We're just starting to be able to pat her on the tummy.

He is getting alot better...loves the tummy, neck and ear tickles.

Just waiting to see if he will ever like being picked up!