I'm not to sure what this is exactly. My 3 month old kitten Kuro has recently started what I can only describe as a suckling bitting thing on my fingers. In not all to sure if he is bitting or suckling, any way to distinguish the 2 in kittens? It really seems like he is using my finger as a pacifier of sorts but it also seems like he is just gnawing at my fingers while he is doing that.
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Kiteen bitting and or suckling fingers
- Thread starter kodakun
- Start Date
It's fairly normal behavior at that age; your cat is teething most likely to put it simply. You will want to provide a small chewing toy and offer them as an alternative when he goes for your fingers to stop any unwanted habit from forming (not so great to have an adult gnawing on fingers).
Mine LOVED the mint stick from PetStages ( ). But PetStages has a lot of really great teething type toys that will give your fingers a break and your kitten an outlet.
Mine LOVED the mint stick from PetStages ( ). But PetStages has a lot of really great teething type toys that will give your fingers a break and your kitten an outlet.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
It might be a combo of holdover wanting to nurse with the teething although typically if we are talking a nursing holdover they will also kneed at the same time they chew on something. Mine who kept on that into adulthood would just put her nose against whatever she kneeded with her tongue slightly out, no sucking.
But yes, I am sure that yours is the right age for teething. Offer an alternative teething option with a toy instead of your fingers. Its not a good idea to get a cat used to fingers and hands as a biting, chewing or play item because it can be a hard habit to break when they are big enough to do some damage. He is probably going for your fingers because they are slightly harder than most soft toys, softer than hard toys and long enough to reach all his teeth; just right to relieve sore gums and teeth. The cat teething toys are a similar size and density to a finger and they can get to the back teeth.
Even if I am wrong a diverting of his attention from fingers to an appropriate toy is a good idea.
But yes, I am sure that yours is the right age for teething. Offer an alternative teething option with a toy instead of your fingers. Its not a good idea to get a cat used to fingers and hands as a biting, chewing or play item because it can be a hard habit to break when they are big enough to do some damage. He is probably going for your fingers because they are slightly harder than most soft toys, softer than hard toys and long enough to reach all his teeth; just right to relieve sore gums and teeth. The cat teething toys are a similar size and density to a finger and they can get to the back teeth.
Even if I am wrong a diverting of his attention from fingers to an appropriate toy is a good idea.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
