Kitten licking my clothes!
By carmelbg
@carmelbg (519)
October 23, 2009 10:48am CST
I have had my kitten Mika for about 2 months now. She was fully weaned when we got her and ate dry food with no problems. After eating she likes to jump on my lap and begins to lick my clothes and pud with her feet, I understand that this is what she would have done to get milk from her mother, but why would she still be doing it now? And she can't get milk from licking my t-shirt or jeans so why doesn't she stop? Any ideas on how to get her out of this habit?
2 responses
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
23 Oct 09
according to the aspca website it's because they were not weaned long enough by their mothers and taken away from the mothers to early. it also show's love and affection on the part of the animal for you . if the kit was taken away from its mother and given milk from a human and dry food its not the same as spending the right amount of time with its mother.
@patmcaudel (5)
• United States
31 Oct 09
hi yeah, i agree with all the others, the name is called Wool Sucking, and with claws out, isn't fun. mostly they nuzzle in their little faces to a rough textured fabric, like a blanket, and work the paws, in the padding fashion to pump the mama for the milk, however, if you are wearing a fluffy sweater, it's gonna be on you.
it's because that one kitten needed mama more, the others in the litter may have been fine with the standard time. your's just needed mama a bit more. now, you are the mama. i've been known to put some warm milk in an eye dropper or syringe without a needle, and let her suck to get milk. but only to slow down the need, tapering her off, slowly. then stop.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Be gentle and pick up her paws push on the pads until she pulls in her claws, reach under her chin and pet her they to discourage licking she just needs her weaning reinforced, you need to work on these habit while she is young so she gets out of the habit.
