Week old bully kitten?

julesgray

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Hello, I am new here and have a question I can't seem to find an answer for anywhere...I'm hoping someone can help!

We "adopted" a very pregnant cat, and she recently gave birth to 3 healthy kittens a little over a week ago). For the past few days (that I have noticed) I have been hearing shrieks from their box. It doesn't happen all the time, but I finally caught what was going on and I am a little worried as I am not sure it is normal. One kitten is quite a bit larger than the other 2, and it seems when one of the smaller ones are latched on, the big grey kitten comes barging in and pushes/scratches and rips the feeding kitten off then takes over. The little kittens make this shrieky meow sound when the big one is scratching at their heads. Is this normal? I don't want the other 2 little ones to get hurt (my main concern). I believe they are getting their fill also, but I am just shocked by what is happening and it breaks my heart in a way.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give!
 

handsome kitty

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I think you need to pull him away from the nursing kittens and redirect him to an available teat. 
 
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julesgray

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Thank you, I have tried that multiple times with no luck. Even with me putting it on another teat and helping guide it on, the kitten will still force its way on one already being suckled on. Momma seems concerned when I try to move it to another, so I don't do it often.
 

handsome kitty

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Is it a specific teat he wants?  what if you moved the smaller ones?  This should probably be under Preg Cats and Kitten Care.  @sarthur2  
 
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julesgray

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Thank you again for your response, I will post in the other section. I will pay closer attention tomorrow and see if that works. [emoji]9786[/emoji]️
 

zhakar

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Thank you again for your response, I will post in the other section. I will pay closer attention tomorrow and see if that works. [emoji]9786[/emoji]️
Actually its perfectly normal. It happens from time to time some kittens tend to bully on other kittens when mothet cat nurse them. They simply like to save time to search for nipples on their own so they push off other kittens from their spot and took over.
Doesnt matter which nipple u place him at eventually he will decide to look for another nipple sucking by others. Best u can do is to stop the big one to bully others or u will have to let him being nurse by mother cat alone
 

Sarthur2

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Kittens usually settle on a favorite nipple and stick with it. Hopefully this will happen soon. If not, you can remove the bully while the other two nurse, and let him nurse while the other two sleep. Hoping he calms down a bit when he realizes there is milk enough for all! :)
 
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