Ok, I have a new 4 1/2 month old neutered foster boy with a clean bill of health from the vet, named Cronos. Brought him home thinking he would be my project to re-socialize him with people, I was told he had become aggressive towards people. WRONG!
Instead, after only 48 hours, I realize my only real project with him is to curb his excessive suckling / love nibbling. Honestly, I can't tell for sure which this is!
I've dealt with this before with both Evie and my other fosters, but it wasn't obsessive with them. It was occassional. This poor boy acts totally love starved half the time. The other half he's either slepping off alone somewhere cool (he's a lover, but certainly not a cuddler!), or playing. But the love starved half, he can't stop purring, can't stop kneading, must be rubbing against me or someone/thing, and ends up either suckling or nibbling on me. Suffice it to say, a part of my body ends up in his mouth, and he has sharp baby teeth!
To add to the oddness, he seems to have a foot fetish.
It's his favorite part to suckle on! I have to sit on my feet around him, or ouch!
I've been doing with him what I've done with all the others, which is to just move him away. He's so obssessed about it when he's in the right (wrong?) mood, that I've even started hissing a little to tell him it hurts. I didn't have to resort to that with any of the others.
Does any one have experience with this level of obsession? Does anyone know if this is suckling, or, since he uses his teeth, is it love nibbles? There is a suckling motion. And, my guess would be that he was taken from mom way too early. Does any know if there are other emotional issues I need to watch for, that this could indicate? Is there anything I can do to help him if there might be other issues?
He is the sweetest, most lovey kitty I've ever known. I really want to try to make him as emotionally ready as he can be to find his furr-ever home!
Just to illustrate, the entire time I've been typing this, he has been intensly kneading (my arm, my tummy, my legs, my laptop, the blanket, you name it!), purring, and nibbling on my fingers and arms.
Wait, now he's starting to play with a string! Mode change!
Instead, after only 48 hours, I realize my only real project with him is to curb his excessive suckling / love nibbling. Honestly, I can't tell for sure which this is!
I've dealt with this before with both Evie and my other fosters, but it wasn't obsessive with them. It was occassional. This poor boy acts totally love starved half the time. The other half he's either slepping off alone somewhere cool (he's a lover, but certainly not a cuddler!), or playing. But the love starved half, he can't stop purring, can't stop kneading, must be rubbing against me or someone/thing, and ends up either suckling or nibbling on me. Suffice it to say, a part of my body ends up in his mouth, and he has sharp baby teeth!
To add to the oddness, he seems to have a foot fetish.
I've been doing with him what I've done with all the others, which is to just move him away. He's so obssessed about it when he's in the right (wrong?) mood, that I've even started hissing a little to tell him it hurts. I didn't have to resort to that with any of the others.
Does any one have experience with this level of obsession? Does anyone know if this is suckling, or, since he uses his teeth, is it love nibbles? There is a suckling motion. And, my guess would be that he was taken from mom way too early. Does any know if there are other emotional issues I need to watch for, that this could indicate? Is there anything I can do to help him if there might be other issues?
He is the sweetest, most lovey kitty I've ever known. I really want to try to make him as emotionally ready as he can be to find his furr-ever home!
Just to illustrate, the entire time I've been typing this, he has been intensly kneading (my arm, my tummy, my legs, my laptop, the blanket, you name it!), purring, and nibbling on my fingers and arms.
Wait, now he's starting to play with a string! Mode change!