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  I Zimbra Worst song, played on ugliest guitar Registered User regular

  December 2013

  Yeah, I had a cat that did that. It's not terribly uncommon, and is usually a sign that they were separated from their mother before being weaned properly. Unfortunately it's one of those things you just have to wait (and hope) that they grow out of. I would recommend getting her a blanket or a stuffed toy that you can transfer her to when she starts to suck on you. That way you at least avoid having kitty slobber spots on your shirts.

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  Delaney Registered User regular

  December 2013 edited December 2013

  Kittens! I'm glad you got a pair as they can be company for each other.
  
  As far as the nursing on clothes habit, there's nothing to worry about. Many cats do this and one explanation I have heard is that they were weaned too early, either physically or psychologically. I had a cat whom I know wasn't weaned too early physically, but apparently was psychologically as he loved to nurse on fleece blankets. Another thing cats will do as a result of weaning issues is drool when they're happy and being petted. (My cat did that as well.)
  
  She may well grow out of it; really, she's still pretty young. If it's something that bothers your dad, have him redirect her when she does it, or just put her down and stop petting her. You really can't punish cats effectively, but if you make the outcome of an action something they don't like, such as loss of attention, they will catch on to it.

  Delaney on December 2013

  "I will participate in the game. It's a wonderful, wonderful opera, except that it hurts." - Joseph Campbell
  
  

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  Hevach Registered User regular

  December 2013

  Dealt with this with my cat Loki, probably from early weaning (he was at most 4 weeks when I found him and had been hiding alone in a neighbor's yard for at least a week). He did grow out of it for themost part, but a couple times when he's been sick or stressed he's gone back to it. It's actually been a good alarm bell, cats can be notoriously stoic about illness or injury.

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  Creagan Registered User regular

  December 2013

  I've heard of a lot of kittens doing that from being weaned too early. Heck, my sister's Yorkie used to try to "nurse" our fingers because she wasn't entirely weaned when we got her (at 8 weeks.)
  
  But it can also develop as a comfort thing. I had a weimaraner who we got at 10 weeks. He was definitely weaned, but he'd 'nurse' the blankets in his crate whenever he was frustrated or anxious. My sister's Yorkie, Wrigley, switched from "nursing" our fingers to attempting to nip us as an "affectionate" greeting. We redirected that behavior into trained "kisses" pretty quickly, and now whenever she feels scared or submissive she'll lick us all over. (Which is okay, because it's way better than biting.)

  rationalnonsense.com

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  Soggybiscuit Tandem Electrostatic Accelerator Registered User regular

  December 2013

  I have cat that used to do this. He would nurse your shirt, blanket, whatever and knead you and drool heavily while he was at it. He's completely grown out of it now. As long as they eat well and you make sure the clothes/blankets/etc are free from toxic chemicals I wouldn't worry about it.

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  djmitchella Registered User regular

  January 2014

  Yeah, nothing to worry about; our first cat used to sit on my lap and 'nurse' on the elbow of a bathrobe I wore until it turned threadbare and (for some reason) black at that point. Eventually he stopped and now has completely different cat weirdnesses instead.
  
  Suggestion: don't wear garments that you want to keep in good condition if she's going to do this..

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