Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/strange male cat behaviors

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 2/26/2009


Question
Hello-

My boyfriend's family has several cats. The oldest is Cara (F), the next oldest is Phantom (M), then Chester (M) and Gus (M) and Cao (F), who ware part of the same litter. All these cats are Cara's offspring. Gus and Cao are almost 6 months old and Chester is almost a year. (As soon as as a litter is grown she gets pregnant and has another litter.) They really have no idea who the father's of all these cats are. They think they are a combo of random cats around the neighborhood and of her own male children. Phantom is a product of Cara and her brother, Ska, who is no longer around.

With that said, my question is in regards to male cat feeding behaviors. Recently, we've noticed that Gus has started to try to nurse off of Chester.

Is this some kind of inbred behavior? How can it be stopped?

Answer
Joanna,

You MUST get these cats spayed and neutered, especially Cara! These days, with so many free and low cost spay/neuter clinics available, there is no excuse NOT to do it. Your boyfriend's cats will be better pets. Inbreeding can cause serious health, physical, and emotional problems. Plus, the extra cost of cat food, etc. for the litters of kittens that you will save will pay for the spaying!

You can Google LOW COST SPAY CLINICS and the name of your city to see what is available, or call the SPCA or Animal Control and ask them for the names and locations of low cost or free spay/neuter programs in your area.

Cats do not know that another cat is a brother, sister, mother, father, etc. because cats (and other animals) do not have any concept of 'family' after kittens are weaned which is why there is incest and inbreeding. Cats react to 'Mother Nature' and it doesn't matter to the who they are reacting to.

As for the kitten trying to nurse, it is mostly likely a comfort thing to the kitten. If Chester is letting Gus nurse then it is a comfort action to Chester also. It is a harmless behavior and it will stop on it's own. I would suggest giving Gus more attention and affection. Some cats are needier of it than others.

I hope this helps, and I hope your boyfriend will get his cats fixed.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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