Female kitten sucking on male kittens privates like a nipple

tewing84

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So we just took in a pair of kitten's yesterday. Male and female, probably about 3 to 4 weeks old. They weigh about 12 ounces. The people who found them were just giving them kmr with a bottle. So they are nice and fat right now. But I am now starting them on a mix of kmr and wet food together and they seem to like it. It took them a few minutes to pick up eat out of a bowl.

But something I keep noticing and breaking up is the female sucking on the males "thing" like its a nipple. When I pull her off he is usually peeing. We've had kittens before, not quite this young, but I haven't seen this or know why she's doing that. Is it because she doesn't have a mom around to suck on and its the closest thing? Its really gross so I keep checking on them, but Im also worried its hurting him
 

DreamerRose

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The sucking reflex is still very strong at 4 weeks, and his privates are the closest thing to a teat she can find. If you could continue to feed her with a bottle, she may get enough satisfaction from that and stop sucking on the male kitten.
 

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T tewing84

It is potentially very damaging for the female to suckle on her brother's penis. It can become irritated and infected.

Give her a fleece blanket or a cloth with a corner soaked in KMR to suckle. Also give her a stuffed toy the size of a mama cat to snuggle, and possibly to "nurse" on. Definitely keep her off her brother.

Small kittens need to suckle, and some who are separated too young from their moms will suckle their whole lives. I had a cat once for 16 years who nursed a teddy bear to the point of baldness all over the bear's body.

With encouragement, hopefully she will take to a blanket and stuffed animal. Otherwise, they need to be separated unless supervised until they get bigger.

And yes, it is a comfort thing! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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tewing84

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The sucking reflex is still very strong at 4 weeks, and his privates are the closest thing to a teat she can find. If you could continue to feed her with a bottle, she may get enough satisfaction from that and stop sucking on the male kitten.
So its more of a calming or coping thing? I would just figure after she tastes what is coming out she would stop. I'll continue with the bottle and see if that helps. But last time I tried the bottle, instead of drinking she tried to eat the entire bottle cap lol
 
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tewing84

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It is potentially very damaging for the female to suckle on her brother's penis. It can become irritated and infected.

Give her a fleece blanket or a cloth with a corner soaked in KMR to suckle. Also give her a stuffed toy the size of a mama cat to snuggle, and possibly to "nurse" on. Definitely keep her off her brother.

Small kittens need to suckle, and some who are separated too young from their moms will suckle their whole lives. I had a cat once for 16 years who nursed a teddy bear to the point of baldness all over the bear's body.

With encouragement, hopefully she will take to a blanket and stuffed animal. Otherwise, they need to be separated unless supervised until they get bigger.
You know I noticed this right when we got them yesterday, and his belly and under legs around that area almost seemed bald. Is that from her constantly doing that? I'll try that too, ive got them in a box now with a fleece blanket. I can even try and rig up a stuffed bear to put some bottle tops inside sticking out
 

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That would be great! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Yes, she has sucked the fur off of him. This is not good for him. [emoji]128533[/emoji]

Let me know how this works out!
 
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tewing84

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That would be great! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Yes, she has sucked the fur off of him. This is not good for him. [emoji]128533[/emoji]

Let me know how this works out!
Cool so I put a stuffed animal in there and 10 minutes later she was cuddling with it. Were going to go buy a cheap bear and put some nursing bottles filled with water. If she was drinking pee I think she will be fine with water lol
 

Sarthur2

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Sounds like a good plan! I'd love to see a picture once you're all set up! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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tewing84

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What a cutie! [emoji]128149[/emoji]
If for some reason she continues to do it what else should I do? I would hate to separate them, but maybe I could put a baby separating the two but still able to see one another.
 

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If for some reason she continues to do it what else should I do? I would hate to separate them, but maybe I could put a baby separating the two but still able to see one another.
Can you picture the boy for me/us? To see the damage that has been done.

Are you already feeding them wet food or kibbles? At 4 weeks of age, it's the right time to slowly transfer to different kinds of food aside of the milk. You will see as they start eating differently, the sucking will reduce fast. It can indeed be a coping thing or a way for her to sooth herself. When you see it happening, try giving her something else to sooth and comfort her. Everytime you do this, she will learn that the way she does it is obviously not correct (because you always stop it) and that other things will help her as well. Her brother will also soon learn to defend himself and will push her away. But until then, try to reduce the amount of suckling she does on him.
 

Sarthur2

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If the female continues sucking on the male, you need to separate them when you cannot supervise. She can actually damage him to the point of the male needing to be put down. His gland will become raw and infected and he will not be able to urinate. It happened with another member's kittens recently.
 
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tewing84

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Can you picture the boy for me/us? To see the damage that has been done.

Are you already feeding them wet food or kibbles? At 4 weeks of age, it's the right time to slowly transfer to different kinds of food aside of the milk. You will see as they start eating differently, the sucking will reduce fast. It can indeed be a coping thing or a way for her to sooth herself. When you see it happening, try giving her something else to sooth and comfort her. Everytime you do this, she will learn that the way she does it is obviously not correct (because you always stop it) and that other things will help her as well. Her brother will also soon learn to defend himself and will push her away. But until then, try to reduce the amount of suckling she does on him.

This was from a few days ago. We can not get that under part cleaned either, we bathe him every day or at least every other day. We dont use any shampoo tho, just wipe and soak him with warm water from the neck down. We did use dawn once to get rid of fleas.

In the last few days Ive only caught her doing it once, so I dont know if shes doing as much anymore. Id hate to separate them because they sleep together all the time. If i did i would just put a gate in between them. One of the head ladies said we could put neosporin on it to heal it and keep her off? Opinions?

Oh and I got them off of the milk and are now on canned wet food. Sorry for late response
 
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Sarthur2

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The area looks raw and is probably sore. The male needs to be separated from the female so he can heal.

A&D diaper ointment might be better than neosporin. He may even need an antibiotic.

Of course they sleep together, but since he is being damaged, they should no longer be together, supervised or not.

This is serious! Please separate them now.
 
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tewing84

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The area looks raw and is probably sore. The male needs to be separated from the female so he can heal.

A&D diaper ointment might be better than neosporin. He may even need an antibiotic.

Of course they sleep together, but since he is being damaged, they should no longer be together, supervised or not.

This is serious! Please separate them now.
Ok I will. Ive got a baby gate in the garage I can use so they can still see each out, I just need to go out and buy a separate litter box. He has diarrhea too...poor guy :(

I also just found out he sucks on it too. I didnt see it, but it happened while I was at work.
 
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tewing84

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No...I'll try and get some tonight. We have to give him another bath so I'll do it when he's clean
 

Sarthur2

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Can you get him to the vet? It sounds like he needs treatment for the raw area from sucking, as well as the diarrhea. He may have a parasite and need meds. Parasites cause diarrhea. None of this is good. The diarrhea will make him even more raw.

I doubt he's sucking himself. He's probably so raw and sore that he's trying to lick himself to get relief. Get some diaper rash ointment and get him to the vet for proper treatment.

I've tried to warn you what could happen. It's not healthy or normal to be sucked on like that. Poor little fella. [emoji]128533[/emoji]
 
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