Does it harm a non-lactating cat if kittens suck on her?

Well, this post could fit in "Cat Health", "Behaviour", "Rescue", and "Kitten Care", so I had to pick one. But since I am concerned about the health of this cat...

I foster two adult cats for a person who got homeless. One had kittens, the other one was pregnant. I got them both fixed, the pregnant got an abortion. Independent of the first two cats I got three 4-week-old kittens that were trapped, but they couldn´t get the feral mom yet.

These three babies were easier to wean than to get used to the bottle, so they are eating canned food and drinking water and kitten milk.

Now just yesterday they started sucking on the adult cat that had the abortion about a month ago.

I just wondered if this could do her any harm. Should I let them do this comfort nursing or separate them?

I wouldn't think it would hurt at all, as long as the mama is receptive. I think it would comfort both of them. Don't be surprised if the spayed mama develops milk, I've heard of it happening! Hopefully someone with a lot more knowledge then me will answer your question with more experience. Bless you for helping these cats.

No, and when she gets tired of it, she'll let them know!

Our rescue mom is still nursing her 9 month old kittens x 3. Everyone has been spayed and neutered but she still has milk. She seems to enjoy this time with them and encourages them to nurse by laying down right in front of them. They receive a much needed bath at the same time. I am going to let nature run its course as mom is as healthy as a horse! Good luck with your herd!

I am glad to read this. Someone should invent pacifiers for kittens...

The last couple of orphaned siblings I had to separate for a while because the girl started sucking on her brothers penis. A vet had told me before, this could happen and it can kill the little boy. It broke my heart to separate them, but super soft stuffed toys gave them some comfort. I also had them together when I or my husband were able to supervise them. Meanwhile they are united again, scheduled for early spay/neuter and will go to their forever home together.

Firstmeight said:

Our rescue mom is still nursing her 9 month old kittens x 3. Everyone has been spayed and neutered but she still has milk. She seems to enjoy this time with them and encourages them to nurse by laying down right in front of them. They receive a much needed bath at the same time. I am going to let nature run its course as mom is as healthy as a horse! Good luck with your herd!

Click to expand...

One of the feral cats I care for still allowed her first kitten to suckle from her after she had her second litter. By this time the first kitten was over a year old!

Mum, Big Sister and the three little ones have all been TNR'd now.

Isnt that mother instinct crazy, this gal is still bringing chunks of meat to them like it is fresh kill. These hunters are bringing presents daily, they could feed her!