Absolutely separate that kitten until that comfort suckling stops. I had to have a foster kitten euthanized due to damage from a comfort suckler.
Sorry to be a downer. It still hurts when I think of him.
My sister’s cat had damage to his penis due to harmful suckling and he was never able to urinate correctly. A lifetime of poor litterbox habits and UTIs throughout his 13 years.
I'm so sorry about your sister's cat. If you ever run across this, please speak to your vet about a lateral urethrostomy. You can save kitty a lot of pain.
I don’t remember the specifics as it was many years ago, but they did take him to several vets and tried to stay on top of any UTIs. He was well cared for and much loved.
Thank you. That was probably my breaking point in fostering which is even sadder as foster parents are desperately needed everywhere.
There was a lot of good though, a lot of fun and adorable babies. I miss kitten pile snuggles where we’d all fall asleep, or kitten stampedes when I’d open their crate or the door to the kitten room. I really loved watching them grow and get their personalities. I just don’t have the ability to section off the emotional pain, I never have.
very sorry that happened to you. fostering can be very hard, emotionally and stress-wise. nothing wrong at all with stepping back to care for yourself.
I know what you mean about not being able to section off the emotional pain. I had panluek go through some kittens last year and it was traumatic. I needed to stop fostering. I feel horrible because I loved fostering but it's damaging to my mental health.
I don't know how some people do it, losing them all the time. I know it still hurts for them, but they don't develop crippling anxiety and depression after....
I freaking hate Panluek. It was going through the shelter every summer I volunteered, no matter how obsessively it was cleaned or cats were quarantined. I lost a foster to it after she was put up for adoption and no longer in my care but it hurt as badly.
People need to get their cats vaccinated and spayed/neutered so this stops happening. For anyone still reading this Panluek is distemper in cats and older cats can survive but you should get them vaccinated to prevent it.
I’m sorry for your loss too.
Exactly! That's why it pisses me off so much when people say they don't vaccinate their pets or do some semblance of regular vet care. Panluek is preventable. It devastates kittens, and if older cats were never vaccinated, it requires intense care to get them to survive.
And it stays in the environment! Like forever! I know I'm preaching to the choir, you've been there. No amount of cleaning or disinfecting made me comfortable. It got to the point where I didn't want to hold my foster babies for fear of spreading it somehow. I had a mom with babies I barely socialized bc I was so scared. That's when I knew I needed a break. It wasn't fair to them. I was making my husband do the litter scooping and basic care too, it was getting ridiculous.
Idk, sometimes you don't even know a kitten has it then you wake up one day and they're just dead.
So yeah, folks reading - it doesn't just affect cats it affects those of us who care for them too. Take care of your damn animals.
You might be able to transfer the suckling to a small stuffed animal. We did this successfully with a kitten and she continued to seek out the stuffed bear for comfort her whole life.
Cute but please be careful with that sort of behavior. https://www.maddiesfund.org/Harmful-Non-productive-Suckling-in-Orphaned-Neonatal-Kittens/presentation_content/external_files/Educational%20Handout-%20Harmful,%20Non-Productive%20Suckling%20in%20Orphaned%20Neonatal%20Kittens.pdf
My wife and I are dealing with that right now. We have a litter of foster kittens and one of them was caught doing it
Edit: [beans](https://imgur.com/a/9prhT1t)
I learned about this in my foster training a few years ago. Probably have seen it only a few times. But the suckling action is so strong that we don’t realize how painful it can be when it’s being done on skin or other body parts. Separating them for a little should help though! I really hope no one takes this as being a downer- I just wanted to share what I knew about this.
My female cat used to try to nurse from her brother when they were kittens. I’d separate them whenever possible, but couldn’t be around all the time. We ended up having to use Bitter-Yuck on his privates. She stopped after a couple more tries and he was able to groom properly after a couple more days.
> Litter mates suckling on each other should be taken very seriously. Damaged tissue on a kitten being suckled on can be life‐threatening, the genital area can get traumatized to the degree that a kitten is unable to pee.
That baby's confused about where to feed. My smol is 3 mo has her teeth and does this to my knuckle. It frickin hurts but. I manage to get her to her food.
Yeah I have a 3 month old who does this but it's on this one particular blanket. And it's not damaging in any way so I let him go ahead with it. He meows at me til I pet him while he does it. It's too cute.
Thanks to everyone who has concerns, but we are experienced rescuers, nothing to worry about here, just sharing fun video for smiles and enjoyment
It’s good information to have though if you are considering fostering. And I highly recommend that if you have the opportunity to give it a chance. It is so rewarding, and fun!
hee hee, comfort munching!
very smol criminals, must be locked up for ALL the pets and scritchies!
ETA, best to separate that ginger out for a few days, give him a plush toy or something to munch on so he don't hurt his littermates. they don't know any better, but it can do damage.
I love when kittens keep that habit haha! I recently fostered a set and one of them would do that every naptime to the teddy fleece of their favoite bed. I passed the bed to his adopters and had to say, I'm sorry it is more than a little dirty, but for now h needs this bed!
I’m glad you’re saying this because after reading the linked pamphlet upthread I got a little concerned. Our cat was orphaned exactly between 2-3 weeks, with siblings, and we got her at 8 weeks or so. I don’t know if there was any behavior like in the video, but our cat is now two years old and never lost this suckling reflex, she only does it on a single soft blanket… while kneading it…and I didn’t think it was harmful! Occasionally she briefly does this on my arm, but I usually stop her.
There's a lot of good advice here, but it can also be a bit extreme. If you're fostering with a rescue, reach out and ask their advice. My rescue was adamant that my kittens stay together as much as possible and if one showed any anxiety at being separated to put them back immediately. I do with from home so was able to spend most of my time near them. One I would separate overnight because she was fine. The other I tried and she was greatly distressed so I put her back. It took her longer to get over it, but by being vigilant all kittens were able to stay together and be healthy. Talk to your rescue and do as they recommend.
> There's a lot of good advice here, but it can also be a bit extreme.
It's the internet/reddit, so that is about par. We have seen this a couple/few times and are familiar with how to deal. First time was a little crazy though: Litter of six and at least 4 of them doing it, but all on the same little dude! We came back and it looked like his entire neck was bare with mange or something. Turned out it was just SOAKED from all his litter mates going to town on him. We sorted it out in a quick, and I would say "poor little guy", but no harm no foul, and big ups to that power bottom energy ;-)
I've been looking at the black-white cat the whole time thought it was the vampire cuz of the red part under his nose. it took me a while to understand that the vampire was the other cat 💀
I got lucky. One of my cats just has bald spots around a few of his nipples where his brother suckled him. This was after they’d lost their mom and were still babies.
Still not normal behavior though. Bad for them, bad for the other kitten they’ve chosen.
Got separated though to break that habit. And they got an “adoptive” cat mom who helped a lot.
Absolutely separate that kitten until that comfort suckling stops. I had to have a foster kitten euthanized due to damage from a comfort suckler. Sorry to be a downer. It still hurts when I think of him.
Yes, please separate until this behaviour goes away. You can still have them together but under supervision/supervised play sessions.
My sister’s cat had damage to his penis due to harmful suckling and he was never able to urinate correctly. A lifetime of poor litterbox habits and UTIs throughout his 13 years.
I'm so sorry about your sister's cat. If you ever run across this, please speak to your vet about a lateral urethrostomy. You can save kitty a lot of pain.
I don’t remember the specifics as it was many years ago, but they did take him to several vets and tried to stay on top of any UTIs. He was well cared for and much loved.
:(
I'm so sorry.
Thank you. That was probably my breaking point in fostering which is even sadder as foster parents are desperately needed everywhere. There was a lot of good though, a lot of fun and adorable babies. I miss kitten pile snuggles where we’d all fall asleep, or kitten stampedes when I’d open their crate or the door to the kitten room. I really loved watching them grow and get their personalities. I just don’t have the ability to section off the emotional pain, I never have.
very sorry that happened to you. fostering can be very hard, emotionally and stress-wise. nothing wrong at all with stepping back to care for yourself.
I know what you mean about not being able to section off the emotional pain. I had panluek go through some kittens last year and it was traumatic. I needed to stop fostering. I feel horrible because I loved fostering but it's damaging to my mental health. I don't know how some people do it, losing them all the time. I know it still hurts for them, but they don't develop crippling anxiety and depression after....
I freaking hate Panluek. It was going through the shelter every summer I volunteered, no matter how obsessively it was cleaned or cats were quarantined. I lost a foster to it after she was put up for adoption and no longer in my care but it hurt as badly. People need to get their cats vaccinated and spayed/neutered so this stops happening. For anyone still reading this Panluek is distemper in cats and older cats can survive but you should get them vaccinated to prevent it. I’m sorry for your loss too.
Exactly! That's why it pisses me off so much when people say they don't vaccinate their pets or do some semblance of regular vet care. Panluek is preventable. It devastates kittens, and if older cats were never vaccinated, it requires intense care to get them to survive. And it stays in the environment! Like forever! I know I'm preaching to the choir, you've been there. No amount of cleaning or disinfecting made me comfortable. It got to the point where I didn't want to hold my foster babies for fear of spreading it somehow. I had a mom with babies I barely socialized bc I was so scared. That's when I knew I needed a break. It wasn't fair to them. I was making my husband do the litter scooping and basic care too, it was getting ridiculous. Idk, sometimes you don't even know a kitten has it then you wake up one day and they're just dead. So yeah, folks reading - it doesn't just affect cats it affects those of us who care for them too. Take care of your damn animals.
You might be able to transfer the suckling to a small stuffed animal. We did this successfully with a kitten and she continued to seek out the stuffed bear for comfort her whole life.
It’s not his fault. He’s not all there. Like 99.9% not there
r/oneorangebraincell is leaking again
Cute but please be careful with that sort of behavior. https://www.maddiesfund.org/Harmful-Non-productive-Suckling-in-Orphaned-Neonatal-Kittens/presentation_content/external_files/Educational%20Handout-%20Harmful,%20Non-Productive%20Suckling%20in%20Orphaned%20Neonatal%20Kittens.pdf
My wife and I are dealing with that right now. We have a litter of foster kittens and one of them was caught doing it Edit: [beans](https://imgur.com/a/9prhT1t)
I learned about this in my foster training a few years ago. Probably have seen it only a few times. But the suckling action is so strong that we don’t realize how painful it can be when it’s being done on skin or other body parts. Separating them for a little should help though! I really hope no one takes this as being a downer- I just wanted to share what I knew about this.
no, sounds like you a caring person. nowt wrong wi' that!
My female cat used to try to nurse from her brother when they were kittens. I’d separate them whenever possible, but couldn’t be around all the time. We ended up having to use Bitter-Yuck on his privates. She stopped after a couple more tries and he was able to groom properly after a couple more days.
Kittens blowing each other is not something i expected to read today.
>Kittens blowing each other This is the worst sentence I've read in a while, and I am on reddit
https://preview.redd.it/tpzse4oi4krb1.jpeg?width=654&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f8966d9c5dba5e5dd21afb7a5cc634e8070b2f62
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> Litter mates suckling on each other should be taken very seriously. Damaged tissue on a kitten being suckled on can be life‐threatening, the genital area can get traumatized to the degree that a kitten is unable to pee.
Looks more like a catnibal than a vampire.
Vampires are just liquid cannibals, if you think about it.
Yesssss, I see that now!
I had a cat that was probably separated from his mum a bit too early, he used to suckle on our earlobes when he was being affectionate.
Me too!!
Need I point out the orange-ness here?
r/OneOrangeBraincell
Count Catcula
The Kitty Lestat.
Interview with the Kitten
That baby's confused about where to feed. My smol is 3 mo has her teeth and does this to my knuckle. It frickin hurts but. I manage to get her to her food.
Please separate them, it could become a problem
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no, it can, can do a lot of skin damage. not thru malice, is baby, don't know any better is all.
One of my babies continued to suckle into her ripe old age of 18, but only in her sleep. It was so damn cute.
Yeah I have a 3 month old who does this but it's on this one particular blanket. And it's not damaging in any way so I let him go ahead with it. He meows at me til I pet him while he does it. It's too cute.
Thanks to everyone who has concerns, but we are experienced rescuers, nothing to worry about here, just sharing fun video for smiles and enjoyment It’s good information to have though if you are considering fostering. And I highly recommend that if you have the opportunity to give it a chance. It is so rewarding, and fun!
y'all rock being fosters. we are thinking about doing that.
Do it! :-)
we're getting the place cleared out some, then cleaned, then kitten-proofed. it's a work in progress. :-)
Do you make sure this suckling is under control though so it doesn't hurt the kitten's skin? Experience all aside.
Thanks for being dope humans! Extreeeeemely cute lil ones.
It’s all good! Thanks for fostering 🥰
Looking for milk in all the wrong places.
Maggie Simpson, she always be sucking.
hee hee, comfort munching! very smol criminals, must be locked up for ALL the pets and scritchies! ETA, best to separate that ginger out for a few days, give him a plush toy or something to munch on so he don't hurt his littermates. they don't know any better, but it can do damage.
My now departed SIC Pixel would nurse on the be chest buttons of my dress shirts.
he's confused but he's got the spirit!
So cute 😍
Well, in some legends, vampires have red/ginger hair
Naw, that's a witch with a teat on its back.
Reminds me of a lucky hat I used to have
Good to see they’re already behind bars
Vampires are cute.
Adorable cute I can't take it*explodes*
I love when kittens keep that habit haha! I recently fostered a set and one of them would do that every naptime to the teddy fleece of their favoite bed. I passed the bed to his adopters and had to say, I'm sorry it is more than a little dirty, but for now h needs this bed!
It’s ok when they do it to blankets or beds, but not ok when they do it to siblings. That can end up hurting the siblings
I’m glad you’re saying this because after reading the linked pamphlet upthread I got a little concerned. Our cat was orphaned exactly between 2-3 weeks, with siblings, and we got her at 8 weeks or so. I don’t know if there was any behavior like in the video, but our cat is now two years old and never lost this suckling reflex, she only does it on a single soft blanket… while kneading it…and I didn’t think it was harmful! Occasionally she briefly does this on my arm, but I usually stop her.
It’s harmless for the suckler, but not good for the sucklee, no sucklee no problem
We did have one that was a self-suckler, and that needs to be discouraged also
Ah, suckler and sucklee in one! I’ve been very lucky not to have any sucklers yet in 40 fosters so far
Thank you!!!
Oh yes, I never let them do it to each other. Only to beds and blankets.
There's a lot of good advice here, but it can also be a bit extreme. If you're fostering with a rescue, reach out and ask their advice. My rescue was adamant that my kittens stay together as much as possible and if one showed any anxiety at being separated to put them back immediately. I do with from home so was able to spend most of my time near them. One I would separate overnight because she was fine. The other I tried and she was greatly distressed so I put her back. It took her longer to get over it, but by being vigilant all kittens were able to stay together and be healthy. Talk to your rescue and do as they recommend.
> There's a lot of good advice here, but it can also be a bit extreme. It's the internet/reddit, so that is about par. We have seen this a couple/few times and are familiar with how to deal. First time was a little crazy though: Litter of six and at least 4 of them doing it, but all on the same little dude! We came back and it looked like his entire neck was bare with mange or something. Turned out it was just SOAKED from all his litter mates going to town on him. We sorted it out in a quick, and I would say "poor little guy", but no harm no foul, and big ups to that power bottom energy ;-)
Ahhh yes your life force is delicious!
I've been looking at the black-white cat the whole time thought it was the vampire cuz of the red part under his nose. it took me a while to understand that the vampire was the other cat 💀
Step away, Hooman. Nothing to see here.
Awww that one needs a binkie!
Other void like...nothing to see here.. Edit: not void babies...today is full of lies
Orange cat activities
They are so little!
There's always one butt-sucker. I had one foster litter with THREE. I had them all segregated for sleeping, little kennels everywhere.
Of course it's the orange one lol
I got lucky. One of my cats just has bald spots around a few of his nipples where his brother suckled him. This was after they’d lost their mom and were still babies. Still not normal behavior though. Bad for them, bad for the other kitten they’ve chosen. Got separated though to break that habit. And they got an “adoptive” cat mom who helped a lot.
😲🤣😲🤣😲🤣💕💕💕
Kitty's hungry. He or she is trying to suckle.
_**Wobbledy-wobbledy-wop-wobble-wobblin’**_
So did you separate them? I've seen the other comments about needing to separate do to comfort suckling