Kittens are naturally curious, and they can be aggressive when nursing from other cats.
If your cat is accustomed to nursing from a particular cat, it may try to feed on it even if it isn’t completely awake. When this occurs, you can single-handedly be its only source of food.
So, how to stop kitten trying to nurse on spayed cat? So, you have a new cat that you adopted from the shelter and it’s adorable.
However, your new cat is trying to nurse on your cat that was already spayed. This is annoying because your cat is uncomfortable and it’s ruining your plans for your cat to be spayed.
Luckily, you can put a stop to this behaviour in a few different ways. First, you can try to yell at your cat, but chances are, your cat won’t listen.
Instead, try covering your cat’s food with a towel and trapping it underneath the towel. This will force your cat to eat its food instead of trying to nurse on your other cat.
Another common method involves putting your cat in a crate with a few toys. However, this will only work if your cat is sociable.
Otherwise, this will just confuse your cat and it won’t know which cat to nurse on.
Kitten Trying To Nurse On Spayed Cat
Your breastfeeding kitten will try to feed on any available source that smells of breast milk or milk.
When the kittens are very young and are first learning how the world works, they will try to consume any source that looks like another animal’s teats or nipples; this includes humans too.
The kittens do not understand that the teats are for the feeding of kittens and not for consumption themselves.
Despite her delicate state, she will readily eat whatever she can get her tiny mouth around – including her own excrement.
To guarantee her safety, it is best that you supervise the kitten when she is eating and discourage her from eating herself.
How To Stop Kitten Trying To Nurse On Spayed Cat
Maintain Kitten Interest
This is a problem for some cats that have had their milk production removed due to illness or injury; they may no longer be able to nurse their young.
The objective should be to spend at least 20 minutes with the kitten each day; this will help to develop trust between you and the cat and will increase her level of interest in you, thus decreasing the likelihood of any bad behavior.
They are self-sufficient creatures, but require a certain level of attention to remain happy and healthy.
If you take the time to stimulate them, they will reward you with love and affection for many years to come.
Cats Should Be Separated Before Feedings.
When a kitten has just had its mother taken away and she is hungry, she will seek an alternative source of nourishment.
Unfortunately, she may also seek out other sources of nourishment that are less than desirable – including the other cats in the house.
If you separate the cats before feedings, the undesirable behavior will cease and the kittens will instead focus their attention on their natural food source – their mother.
Remember that by separating the cats before feedings, you will also be preventing the tomcat from mating with the female cat during the separation period.
This is why it is advised to wait until the kittens are at least 3 months old before you attempt to introduce the cats to each other.
Increase the Frequency of Feedings
Because some kittens may demand extra milk, it may be advisable to increase the frequency at which the cats are fed – specifically during the early stages of development when the cats are younger and less experienced at recognizing their own needs.
Cats should be fed three times a day for the first two months; however, it may be necessary to increase the number of feedings to five or six times a day during this period – especially if there are more than two or three kittens in the litter.
Once the litter size is reduced, the frequency can be reduced again.
After the first month of life, the kittens can be fed four times a day; after that they can be fed three meals a day.
Use a Milk Substitute
One of the first worries that a cat owner has when his or her pet is suffering from a condition that prevents it from lactating is that the animal will not survive without their mother’s milk.
However, many animals have been able to survive – and even thrive – after their mothers have been removed from them.
As a result, a sign ifi-cant number of veterinarians recommend the use of milk substitutes for orphaned or injured cats until they can receive the proper nutrition from their mother.
The kitten is requesting more milk, so it is important to feed him more often to prevent dehydration and ensure that his needs are met.
One way to do this is to use a nipple feeder; these feeders allow the caregiver to feed the baby more frequently than if the bottle was being used.
The bottle should also be warmed so that the baby does not experience discomfort when drinking from it.
You may also want to consider using a water bowl rather than a water bottle; most babies prefer drinking water rather than eating formula or baby food, so a nipple feeder is not necessary in this case.
One of the most effective methods to encourage a baby to breastfeed is by offering plenty of skin-to-skin contact.
What If I Spay My Cat While She Is Still Nursing?
Vets often do not advocate performing surgery on a mother cat while she is nursing; this is because the mother may reject her baby if it suddenly stops suckling on her teats.
If your vet performs a C-section on the mother before the weaning process is complete, the baby may have to be hand-reared until it can be reunited with its mother – a process that can be time-consuming and expensive.
In addition, the milk supply will dry up sooner if the operation is performed before weaning.
This is to prevent infections in the incision area after surgery.
However, if you find yourself in a position where your female cat requires immediate medical attention and cannot be separated from her babies, you can attempt to separate the babies from the mother long enough to perform the surgery.
This is only recommended as a last resort, as there is a risk that the mother will reject the baby or refuse to allow it back in her presence.
Your cat’s kittens will very certainly want to nurse after the surgery is complete.
Your cat will continue to lactate after giving birth; however, the amount of milk produced will be greatly reduced.
In this scenario, it is vital to carefully assist both your kitten and your mother in re-establishing breastfeeding properly after the operation.
What Should I Do While My Cat Is Recovering?
Following a surgical operation, whether in a cat or a human, the recovery period can be fraught with complications.
Typically, your veterinarian will provide you with detailed instructions on post-op care for your pet, but there are a few things you should do as the cat recovers.
It’s a good idea to have somebody stay with your cat for at least the first 24 hours following surgery.
This reduces their need to move around and decreases their chance of falling or injuring themselves.
Typically, your cat will be fitted for a cone of shame after surgery to keep them from licking at their stitches or wound.
It should be correctly set so that they cannot remove it by biting it, scratching at it or otherwise getting it off their head.
The first 12 to 24 hours after surgery are the most critical in the healing process, so it’s important that you pay close attention to your cat’s behavior during this time.
Can I Allow A Newly Spayed Cat To Nurse Her Kittens?
If kittens are under six weeks of age, they should not be allowed near their mother for the first two weeks.
Even if she’s still healing, cats can still contract diseases from their young offspring and pass on infections to them.
This is where dry kitten food comes in handy; it’s much easier to prepare than fresh milk and can provide them with all of the nutrients they need until they’re old enough to eat solid food.
Once a mother cat has been spayed, she may continue to lactate for some time afterward; in fact, it may take several months for her to stop producing enough milk for her young to drink.
This can continue for up to six months after the operation has been performed.
Once the gestation period is over, the kittens will no longer need their mother’s milk.
Making sure your cat isn’t in pain and that her recovery is progressing normally is of paramount importance during the first few weeks after spaying or neutering.
Can Kittens Survive Without Nursing?
The simple answer is no, they can’t survive without nursing for that long.
Nursing is an important aspect of feline care that should never be overlooked.
If issues emerge, ask your veterinarian for advice; they are there to help.
Also Read: How To Litter Train A Kitten Without Mother?
Final Words
Your cats’ safety and well-being should be your top priority; with that in mind, it’s essential that you only adopt from reputable breeders who can demonstrate their cats’ good health history to you.
It’s no wonder that a lot of cat owners love their pets so much; they provide companionship and unconditional love like no other animal.
Whatever you decide to do for your feline friend, make sure that he or she is happy and healthy at all times.
Just remember to seek guidance when necessary; your vet has a wealth of knowledge regarding pet health, which may help you to care for your cat better.
Finally, your cat and her kittens will be eternally grateful for the care and attention you provide them.
