Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got my kitten when she was about 7-8 weeks old. She is now somewhere between 5-6 months old. She was found outside, but I don't thinks he was born outdoors because she is TERRIFIED of it outside and loves to be around people; she cries if you go into a room and shut the door and she's not with you. She doesn't seem to like being petted very much, except when she's sleeping (she'll fall asleep laying on you). She doesn't really purr either... when she does purr, she either does this weird thing where she sucks on her tail, or acts realy affectionate then when you stop petting her, she starts sucking on her tail. She sucks on the underside of her tail, about an inch from the base. She kneeds her paws as well and just purrs really loud. Is this normal? How can i get her to stop (it's really annoying, especially when you're trying to sleep). Is it normal for small kittens not to want to be petted/not to purr? Do they start to do this more as they grow up? I'm just curious, because this is a cat that loves people, and isn't scared of anything. She'll let you pick her up and carry her around, she likes to be held on her back almost like a baby, but she doesn't purr or seem to like being petted. Is this because she's a kitten still?

Thanks for your help

Just wanted to mention that this kitten has been to the vet twice (for 2 sets of shots) and she has been dewormed, has no fleas, etc. She is an indoor only cat, and the only cat in the house.

Seven or eight weeks is too soon to be separated from her mother. I'd venture to say that something happened to her mother outside and that's why she's terrified of being outside. Or it might be that somebody took the kittens from the mother and dumped them outside. It happens often, unfortunately. Her sucking on her tail and kneading is showing me that she really is missing her mother because that's what she remembers as a baby kitten. In essence, she's nursing on her mother (tail) and kneading the mother's breast the same as she did when she was still with her mother.

If I were you, I'd let her set the pace. I'm sure that she'll outgrow it in time and will eventually come to the point where you are her mother. She seems to enjoy being with you and laying on your lap. She sounds like a little sweetie and you sound like you really love this little kitten. Thank you for taking her in a caring for her.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

I think your right Ruby.The kitten will grow out of being scared and will make a beautiful pet and companion.
Lou

i have a calico, daisy, that STILL does that behavior and she will be 12 years old this year. she will suck on stuffed animals and kneed with her paws like she is nursing. i have read its becasue they are taken from the mama to soon. daisy was a stray so i don't know where she came from or when she was taken from her mom but she was like 3 months when i got her.

I have a 2 y/o that I adopted when he was 10 weeks old. Never been outside, never been yelled at, socilaized but is the BIGGEST scaredy cat when he hears a strange voice. He has the habit STILL of kneading and suckling, only instead of his tail, it's mu 18 year old abbey that he does it to! He gets a knot of fur anywhere, anyway he can and goes to town!! He is not exactly affectionate and he never purrs either! The vet said he may always suckle and knead and that it means he is content and happy and feels dafe. He told me not to discourage the bahavior because it is his only means of affection.