Kitten...still looking to nurse!?

My kitten is now 17 weeks old. I picked him up from the breeder at 12 weeks of age. This morning I woke up to the kitten attempting to nurse on my year old male cat, Gus. Gus didn't seem to mind. In fact, he was cleaning the top of the kitten's head as the kitten sucked away! It was most bizarre! I've never experienced such a thing...could something be wrong? I feel the cats Wellness, and Solid Gold...both brands that my Vet has strongly recommended...could the kitten possibly need something else?
The attempt went on for at least 10 minutes before Gus finally got up. When he sat back down again, the kitten tried to nurse again!
Any thoughts? Advice?

At that age they like to comfort nurse. Its a habit that will break eventually. Sometimes kittens will take the painful approach of biting the owners nose instead of this. Its not uncommon to see some of this behavior as they get older.

The only problem I can forsee is possible obsessive behavior forming. I haven't had experience with it though.

So he may be feeling a bit insecure right now? Is there anything that I can do to help?? Poor fella....

Ive posted about this a few times. I have 2 brothers, both came to me at almost 11 weeks. One started sucking on his brothers nipple, then i separtated them for a night and he started sucking his OWN nipple and for about 2 wks, the one brother who didnt suck started sucking! The vet told me it was bc they were immature and once they matured it will probably stop, but i had to go out and buy e-collars bc the sucking got so bad, the nipples were bleeding. Its been going on for a month now, but everytime i see them do it, i stop it right away.

Lately they dont do it as much, but yes they still do it when they are ready to fall asleep. Its like a pacifier. And they are now 4mths

Good luck!

Originally Posted by nasudhaus

My kitten is now 17 weeks old. I picked him up from the breeder at 12 weeks of age. This morning I woke up to the kitten attempting to nurse on my year old male cat, Gus. Gus didn't seem to mind. In fact, he was cleaning the top of the kitten's head as the kitten sucked away! It was most bizarre! I've never experienced such a thing...could something be wrong? I feel the cats Wellness, and Solid Gold...both brands that my Vet has strongly recommended...could the kitten possibly need something else?
The attempt went on for at least 10 minutes before Gus finally got up. When he sat back down again, the kitten tried to nurse again!
Any thoughts? Advice?

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How sweet! Gus must be a wonderful cat to be so loving to a kitten. I don't think you should be the least bit concerned. Those two will end up being the best of friends! Gus will eventually break him from the habit on his own and you and Gus are obviously providing him with all the love and nutrition he needs!

Don't worry about it too much. Be grateful he isn't nursing on YOU. Rocky did this until he was maybe 4 or 5 months old, and then graduated to forceful purry night lickings. He still does it once in awhile. I have to admit that it is a bit flattering, but its also annoying. I'm sure your older cat will tell him when he's had enough.

Our 4 kittens continued to 'comforts' nurse as long as the mother would allow it...and still continued to try for months after that. She just would push them away when they tried.

I would not worry about it, your male cat will let the kitten know if he is not willing. Unless the kitten is causing harm to the male cats nipples, I wouldn't worry about it.

Ive posted about this a few times. I have 2 brothers, both came to me at almost 11 weeks. One started sucking on his brothers nipple, then i separtated them for a night and he started sucking his OWN nipple and for about 2 wks, the one brother who didnt suck started sucking! The vet told me it was bc they were immature and once they matured it will probably stop, but i had to go out and buy e-collars bc the sucking got so bad, the nipples were bleeding. Its been going on for a month now, but everytime i see them do it, i stop it right away.

Lately they dont do it as much, but yes they still do it when they are ready to fall asleep. Its like a pacifier. And they are now 4mths

Click to expand...

Princess actually continued to do this into adulthood. She never caused herself to bleed though. She did it less often after one year. Interestingly, it only happens if she is going to sleep AND if she is snuggling up next to a person. She'll never do it if she goes to sleep by herself.

We always assumed it was because she was taken from her mother too early (6 weeks!). Plus she was a runt.