[lrlnf]

My kittens seem to have some sort of milking reflex. I need to know if this is bad or good. They are weaned from the mother and found htere way into our garage, we kept them tamed them, and have gotten them vacinated, and fixed. They are brother and sister and when relaxing with us constantly want to suckle our clothing,a blanket, our fingers or what ever is soft that is near by. IS this a bad behavior and if so how do we break them of it.? Or is this justa comforting thing that will pass as they age?:confused: cat and kitten owner.

[bushg]

No it is not bad behavior, they are comforting themselves. The older they get the less they should do this. However sometimes my old tom will kneed but not suckle, my 4 year old will suckle the covers sometimes and the 1 year old twins that I have never do this. Thanks for getting them spayed/neutered and providing them with homes.

[AussieEvy]

This isn't a bad behavior by any means unless their sucklin and kneeding are damaging things. Most cats will stop feeling the need to suckle once they're old enough to leave their mother, but that isn't always the case. Like bushg said, It something they do to comfort themselves. Cats can continue it into adulthood if they had a tramatic kittenhood, were taken from their mother too early, or have separation anxiety. Of course, cats can also do it just because they like too.

If you really want to break the habbit, I would suggest putting them down when they begin to suckle and kneed as well as giving them a security corner of sorts. A place they can go that's secluded, safe, and warm where they can relax without fear of being disturbed. IF it's the kneeding and sharp claws that arethe problem, just take a very fine-grit nail file or very fine grit sand paper and softly rub the sharp points of the nails until they're dull and don't hurt anymore.