Sucking Kittens

[Bria_Elliott]

I have 5 three week old kittens and they keep sucking on each other's butt. I have tried feeding them letting them suck on my finger and peeing them they won't stop. Also on is 2 times bigger but from the same litter he pushes them down to suck on their butt. Why is he so much bigger

[Melop0mene]

Generally speaking that’s normal behavior, but should be discouraged as much as possible. Keeping an extra eye on them after feeding to make sure they’re asleep (assuming mama is not in the picture) it’s been an issue I’ve noticed while raising some abandoned babies and it’s not anything out of the ordinary.

Just be sure that you do your best to prevent it when you catch it happening otherwise things can get messy. The kittens you have are at the age where they pass bowel movements based on stimulation and it wouldn’t be very good to have your kittens ingesting that.

[AnnieBrooke]

You might be able to locate a foster mother.  Try posting on Craigslist or another free site, see if anyone has a nursing cat.  This is commonly done in the pedigreed cat world if a female dies or refuses her kittens, and it is possible you could find someone to help you in your neighborhood.

[CML2014]

Hi Bria,

Well I am no expert on raising 3 week old kittens, but then what Human really is? Where is Mamma Cat?  They are too young to be separated from Mom. Their suckling is instinctive for their mothers milk. If Mamma is not there they are probably going to the next best "scent" of their litter---each others butt, LOL!

The Big Cat  Has already established himself as Top Cat. Usually there is always one largest and one smallest. Their size depends on their birth order, and their aggressiveness. It is probably a male and he has secured his dominance by pushing the others out of the way for feeding. He probably thinks their butt is somehow related to Mamas scent, therefore milk?  Make sense? That is all I could come up with.

If these kittens are without Mom (and I am assuming they are due to their feeding behavior) Make sure you talk to a vet to be sure they are getting the nutrients they need at feeding. You cannot just give them human cows milk. They have a milk formula especially regulated for their nutritional needs. Maybe they are not getting that and that is why they are always looking for more.

Raising 3 week old kittens needs a lot of experience and research. So be sure you are working with someone who has the knowledge and expertise.

Kittens without their Mama are starting life out without  their own milk factory that has all the nutrients to build a strong immune system....not to mention learning HOW to be a CAT. Mamma gives them all of that--It is a bigger job than we think. Was the mother killed or did you just find them alone?  If you just found them one day , their mother was probably around moving the rest of the kittens to a NEW safer place.

We always told people if you find kittens and no mother around--observe Only for a day or two to see if Mamma returns. If not, then you can assume Mamma is not longer around.

I am sure others here will chime in with better knowledge 3 week old kitten needs.

Good Luck and keep us posted and a big smooch for our new babies!
CML