- Joined
- Dec 16, 2014
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Hey, so, since the last time I posted, during a routine vet visit, I overheard a woman handing off a litter of babies to the to be euthanized. They had nothing wrong with them other than a little upper respiratory infection. The woman was just killing them because she couldn't bother rehoming them! Well, I stepped in and volunteered to take them home with me. There were 5, four 2 week olds and (don't ask why - I can only assume she is related somehow) one 4 week old. I bottlefed everyone and nursed them back to health. They are all doing great. Soon they will ready to go to furever homes, besides the oldest one, who cemented her place in my home the moment i saw her trying to care for those tiny babies that no one else cared about, even though she was sick and barely older than them.
But one of the younger kittens, despite being weened now at 10 weeks, will not quit nursing on me. It was cute at first but it is making it rather difficult for me to do anything if I'm within her reach. I am also worried for her well being as she is very fussy and demanding about it, like the compulsion is strong enough to be unhealthy. She tries to suckle nonstop and won't even let me sleep at night. I mean, it's all she wants to do if she isn't eating, drinking, or using the litter box. I have seen sucklers before, but never one so extreme. I don't get whers this came from either. Theh were weened very gradually and I have really done my best to make this a smooth process for them.
Anyway, is there anything I can do to encourage a healthier, less bothersome behavior? I have tried to redirect her nursing to a blanket or a towel with my scent, but she is a smart baby girl. She knows they're not me and wants no part of them. I even tried putting her with Hex, my neutered tom that I posted about before who absolutely lives to nurture kittens (and who has earned my complete trust with them). I thought his fur might comfort her instead. She completely ignored him. She seems very stubborn about this and I worry that she is not developing well psychologically. The other kittens are all exploring and playing, but all this one wants to do is nurse and stick close by me. I am really at my wits' end here. Any ideas?
As you can see, she is adorable. I really want to help her, and maybe get myself a little peace and quiet in the meantime.
Kind Hex, snuggling with another one from the litter.
But one of the younger kittens, despite being weened now at 10 weeks, will not quit nursing on me. It was cute at first but it is making it rather difficult for me to do anything if I'm within her reach. I am also worried for her well being as she is very fussy and demanding about it, like the compulsion is strong enough to be unhealthy. She tries to suckle nonstop and won't even let me sleep at night. I mean, it's all she wants to do if she isn't eating, drinking, or using the litter box. I have seen sucklers before, but never one so extreme. I don't get whers this came from either. Theh were weened very gradually and I have really done my best to make this a smooth process for them.
Anyway, is there anything I can do to encourage a healthier, less bothersome behavior? I have tried to redirect her nursing to a blanket or a towel with my scent, but she is a smart baby girl. She knows they're not me and wants no part of them. I even tried putting her with Hex, my neutered tom that I posted about before who absolutely lives to nurture kittens (and who has earned my complete trust with them). I thought his fur might comfort her instead. She completely ignored him. She seems very stubborn about this and I worry that she is not developing well psychologically. The other kittens are all exploring and playing, but all this one wants to do is nurse and stick close by me. I am really at my wits' end here. Any ideas?
As you can see, she is adorable. I really want to help her, and maybe get myself a little peace and quiet in the meantime.
Kind Hex, snuggling with another one from the litter.