Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/23/2009

Question
I have a 3yr old male bluepoint siamese, quite fine on his own thinks hes a dog so I decided to get another kitten for him to havecompany and possibly not be up my butt the moment I walk in the door.  I have a 10 week old female lilliac siamese.  Ive had her about 4 days now.  She is running around playing with the other cat with no problems.  She however is suckling on him like he was her mother.  When might this stop?  my other question is shes not really eating.  Shes not less in weight or anything else shes just not really eating.  a few nibbles on moist food and i have yet to see her use the box.  she drinks and i have also used a syringe to put kitten milk in her.

Answer
Jena,

It is just going to take time and patience. Your new kitten is just a baby with everything new and different in her world. It is going to take time for her to adjust and acclimate herself.

I wouldn't use a syringe with her or give her kitten milk. If she is drinking on her own then water is all she needs. Using a syringe it's too easy to have a few drops mistakenly get into her lungs which could have serious consequences.

For the first year she needs kitten chow. It gives her the extra protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. that a growing kitten needs. I would leave a bowl available for her all the times. That way if she is hungry she can nibble when she wants. Try tempting her with some tuna as a treat. Her appetite will develop when she settles in. Some cats eat more than others and as long as she is drinking water and shows no sign of illness then I wouldn't worry about her.

You may want to put a thin little stripe of butter or mayonnaise on her front paws. That will help lubricate her. Sometimes a kitten gets too nervous to use the litterbox and can get constipated. Keep an eye on her. You might want to take her to the vet if nothing continues to happen as far as her using the litterbox. But I doubt it will be a problem.

EDIT: About the suckling. Usually that happens when a kitten was weaned too early, though she is probably doing it because she feels insecure and missing her mom and littermates. The suckling is a comfort to her right now. If the male is allowing her to do it he may be getting comfort from it too. When it bothers him he will put a stop to it, but for now it is helping her emotionally, and it is harmless. Try to be patient. It is annoying to you but it is making her happy, so even though it hard, try to ignore it.

I hope this helps and it was nice to get your other cat a friend.

Tabbi