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    Veronica C's Avatar
    Veronica C Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 21, 2008, 09:56 AM
    Cat is obsessive about nursing on my clothes
    I just adopted a cat from the SPCA. He's close to a year old and was just fixed 2 days ago. He's great but he won't stop nursing on my clothes. He's obsessive about it. If he even comes near me he'll try to start nursing and he won't stop. I don't know what to do. Some sites have mentioned putting a bad taste on the clothing he's going for, but come on, what am I going to do, put paprika all over my clothes. Need some direction. I'm also a first time pet owner.
    amricca's Avatar
    amricca Posts: 851, Reputation: 92
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    #2

    Mar 21, 2008, 10:03 AM
    Nursing on your clothes? I don't understand what that means. He is chewing or biting them?
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
    Pets Expert
    		  
    #3

    Mar 21, 2008, 10:19 AM
    Nursing on clothing is usually a sign that the cat was taken away from it's mother to early. Most cats outgrow this behavior, but some never do. You are correct, the best way to stop this is to put something distasteful on your clothing, but that isn't very realistic is it?

    The only thing that I can suggest is giving extra attention to your cat. Also, whenever he starts to suckle pull him away, tell him no and then just cuddle him or pet him for a while, offer him a special treat or toy to distract him from suckling.

    Give it some time, he's not used to you yet, he's probably feeling a bit out of place. If you don't mind, you could give him an old article of clothing to suckle on, but that is just reinforcing the behavior. Also, you could talk to your vet, he might have some ideas about stopping this behavior.

    Congratulations on your new family member, don't give up on him, as a shelter rescue he's probably been through allot in his short life, he just needs a little extra love and attention and then I'm sure he'll be a great pet and you will have many happy years together.

    Good Luck.
    squeaks77's Avatar
    squeaks77 Posts: 113, Reputation: 19
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    #4

    Mar 21, 2008, 10:21 AM
    THis may be marginally helpful, but I had a friend who has a cat who suckled because the cat was taken away from it's mother too soon. They go the cat her own pillow with a thick stringy cover for her to "nurse" from. But she never did get over the nursing.
    froggy7's Avatar
    froggy7 Posts: 1,801, Reputation: 242
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    #5

    Mar 21, 2008, 06:20 PM
    Oriental-type cats (Siamese, Balinese, Abbyssinians, etc.) have a tendency to wool-suck. This article may be helpful in your situation.

    Fabric Eating (Wool Sucking) in Cats
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