Kitten "Nursing" on my Neck

[steff13]

Hello all!

I am currently fostering five kittens from our local animal shelter. One of them spends a significant part of her day suckling on my neck. I looked it up, it seems to signify that she feels safe and content with me. As much as I love that, I do not love the hickies she is leaving on my neck.

My daughter wants to adopt this cat, so we may be keeping her, but I can't have this going on forever. Had anyone experienced this? Is it something she'll outgrow? If I remove her, she just comes back. 😒

How old is the kitten? Should she be with her mother? I would not have her doing this all day either! Put her on the floor.

She's about six weeks old. They're all from the same litter and she's the only one who does this. I'm not sure what happened to the mother; they were found and dropped off at the shelter, and we are supposed to be getting them socialized until they are big enough to be adopted (they have to weigh 2 lbs).

My cat used to do this for quite a long time, but she was suckling on my hair, not skin. She was about 3 months when I got her, and continued to do that until about 2 y.o. She was slightly anxious on the whole and I think it made her feel safe - she would often fall asleep while chewing my hair and wrapped around my head.

One of mine sucks fabric. She did it when we first got her and assumed she'd grow out of it, but she's 5 now and still does it. We have big wet patches if she sits on us from sucking our clothes. I bought a load of flannels and try to swap her onto those instead and have a fleece blanket on my bed which she likes to use.

My first cat of my own used to do this he was a foster I adopted, I was told it was because he'd been taken from mum too early, he was fine abandoned in a box. I used to wake up to him suckling my earlobes

More of a practical solution could you put Vicks or something on your neck she won't like the smell of?

@steff13 Should be with mum then. Too young. I’m assuming mum is dead but this is why she’s sucky. Some kittens are not mature enough at 6 weeks to be separated. We had an orphan kitten that did this - around 6 weeks old when found. Might grow out of it but sucking a rag is better. I’m not always certain every kitten should be saved to be honest.

Hmm. It's tough because it's weird and I don't like it. But clearly she is seeking comfort, so I hate to try to stop her. I don't know what their history is, but at the very least they're babies who probably left their mother too soon. Maybe I can redirect her to a blanket or toy or something? She only does it to me; I have three kids and she doesn't do it to them.

I had two rescues who suckled on each other. It was incredibly cute until it stopped almost overnight at 1 1/2 years old and then they decided they hated each other.

She thinks you’re her Mum thats all.She very very young so its to be expected.She’ll grow out of it.

She is missing her mum. Give her a piece of your clothing to bake on.

My young boy did this.non of my other cats ever did.
He sucked my hair and padded away I used to push him off.Slowly I realised he has been doing it less.He is two now and only comes to sniff or suck my hair when he is stressed.Couple of minutes and he is ok.
He definitely seems comfort in the smell or texture as he doesn't do it to anyone else.

Yes my cat did this, bless her it was lovely but those sharp little claws on your neck aren’t fun! She did grow out of it around 12 months and I used to drape a soft scarf or blanket on my neck to stop her hurting me!

A fake fur pillow would be a good substitute.

Twatcat still makes little meeping sounds when he sets his paws on fake fur blankets 14 years later.

My girl used to do this on my cheek. I loved it but those tiny claws hurt! Someone told me to buy her a blanket and she started sucking that. I adore the noises she makes. The blanket stays on my bed between the pillows and she comes to bed most nights to suckle. She hasn’t done it to me since the blanket was introduced 🫩