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Question
Recently I have came upon 2 litters of orphaned kittens. The first litter is about 6-7 wks old and the second litter is about 2-3 wks old. I have taken all the kittens to the vet and he has declared them in good health. Recently one of the older kittens has taken to sucking on the anus of two of the younger kittens. Is this normal? And if not how do I stop this from happening. I do not want the older kittens to injure the younger kittens.
Joanna,
It's perfectly normal for kittens who were taken from mom too early to have issues with wanting to nurse on human fingers, ears, lips, other pets in the household, stuffed toys, blankets and other suitable mommy substitutes (in the kitten's opinion). It sounds to me like the best solution for the health and safety of all of the kittens involved would be to separate the older kittens from the younger litter. If the kitten starts nursing on his litter mates then he may have to be kept near, but separate from his litter mates when you aren't there to supervise because a kitten nursing on other kittens can end up inadvertantly causing skin infections/breakdown or tissue damage that would require antibiotics and possibly other medical intervention. If you're interested in learning more about caring for orphaned kittens, their normal development, the best way to socialize these babies and how to provide the best possible nutrition for the orphans I'd be more than happy to help you out.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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