Kitten behavior??

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 01-09-2006, 10:24 PM

My kitten Seine, who's about 5 months old, has this weird habit of sucking the pads of her foot when she is comfortable. When I first got her, she tried to suck on my fingers but the vet suggested I discourage that, so I just moved my hand away, and she only sucks on her foot now.
I was just curious what it means? She was picked up as a stray, so I don't know anything about her past, but is it possible that she was weaned from her mother too young? I'm not really worried about it but I'm interested to know if anyone else's cats do this? Thanks!

**Jessika** · 01-09-2006, 10:29 PM

Its just a comfort thing. Many kittens do this or suck on random objects. I've had a few that did but just grew out of it.

**may51380** · 01-11-2006, 04:11 PM

My Beth is 5 yrs old and still hasn't grown out of the "sucking thing". I have a bunch of old t-shirts I keep all over the house - they are her "suckies". She will find one, carry it around with her untill she finds me, then puts the "suckie" on my lap and stays there untill either she falls asleep or I need to get up. Silly kitties

**Emerson's Mom** · 01-11-2006, 05:14 PM

My little guy is 7 years old and he doesn't necessarily "suck", he constantly licks his left paw. I asked my vet and he told me it's a comfort thing. He only does this when he's lying on my chest before taking a nap. I guess we all have our little quirks...like rubbing our feet together before going to sleep, personally I twirl my hair...I gues our little guys have comfort quirks too!!! I wouldn't worry about it!

**moosmom** · 01-11-2006, 06:57 PM

My sphynx MooShoo used to suck his own teat as a kitten. He'd crawl under the covers and all you'd hear is this sucking sound. It stopped the minute he fell asleep. He did that till he was 3 years old. I think now it's because he's too fat.

**Van10** · 01-12-2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by moosmom

My sphynx MooShoo used to suck his own teat as a kitten.

Quite original!

**rosethecopycat** · 01-13-2006, 04:31 PM

I wouldn't discourage it, unless you dislike her sucking your fingers (or ears etc.) It doesn't hurt anything and bonds her to you.

My Snowy suckled a faux lambskin for his first year, now he lays on it, squeals, kneads and grinds his teeth. ( I wish he'd suckle instead of grind)