I have a kitten who licks and chews on the blankets within the house. It's starting to worry me. It looks as if she wishes to nurse the blanket. Is there anything that can explain this?
Thank you
Liger
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Strange Behaviors: Licking Blankets
Ligerwolfe
Apr 11, 2006 09:51 PM
Replies (4)
PHKitkat
Apr 11, 2006 10:48 PM
Hi Liger,
This behavior isn't as strange as you think. Often kittens that lose their moms at a very young age like to knead and suck on things. I have one that likes to knead my arm and suck on my shirt or jammies. Since he isn't actually ingesting anything, and he is so happy while doing it, I just let him. One of my cats used to suck on my earlobes when he was a baby 
If you watch baby kittens nursing, they are also kneading, so your cat's behavior is just a carry-over. If she isn't actually eating the blankets, she will be fine.
Wool sucking and eating is sometimes seen in siamese. Is your baby a siamese or siamese mix?
Take care,
PHKitkat
janome
Apr 12, 2006 06:10 AM
hi. i have a kitty that does the same thing.in case your wondering if they outgrow it, mine didn't. she is going on 12 years old. she just loves to "nurse/nead" on stuffed animals. has always done that since i've had her. i've read also its becasue they were taken from the mama at a very early age.
PHMadameAlto
Apr 12, 2006 08:54 PM
A lot of cats will do "sucking" behaviors on things because nursing is such a natural instinct. I've heard of people whose chenille bedspreads were history after a cat discovered the unique "bumps"!
Eating wool is another story. Again, it can happen with cats and usually indicates either a dietary deficiency or malabsorbtion of nutrients. If kitty is actually eating the the blanket, please get her to a vet for an evaluation.
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Siamese_Mommy
Sep 16, 2006 02:33 PM
Ok, that to me is normal behavior. I haven't seen my cats do this but my one chihuahua does it. I asked the vet and she said that it is something animals do to calm themselves. I guess this makes sense but why would she need to do this when she is sitting on the couch watching tv with me???
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Proud mommy of...
Domonic James/"Demonic"(Snowshoe Siamese)
Gracie Bell/"PrincessGracie"(Siamese Mix)
Alexis Dawn/"Lexi Girl"(Long-Hair Chihuahua)
Tiara Marie/"Tia Mia"(Short-Hair Chihuahua)
