PAMPERED PETS

Our vet David Grant works his animal magic

Q

I HAVE two 16-week-old Burmese kittens. One nurses on the other, suckling and kneading. Why does he do this and will he grow out of it?

A

THIS is common and there are several reasons why kittens do this. Kneading is an early behaviour used to produce milk when the mother cat is feeding her kittens.

Cats also do this on soft material before they settle down to sleep. So kneading and suckling are likely to be comforting and pleasurable and may be a way of dealing with anxiety.

The best time for a kitten to be weaned and in a new home is from six to eight weeks. Any earlier can be stressful and provoke kneading and suckling as an adaptive response.

Normally it is not harmful unless the suckling causes skin damage and continues into adulthood.

Gently removing the kitten and distracting him when he does this can help. But do it without fuss as this could cause more anxiety.

The kittens could have separate beds as they grow older. Most kittens grow out of the habit.

Cats will suck on wool too but this can unravel and cause obstructions.

David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Write to him at Express Yourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.