Animal Welfare Professionals

Let's talk about kitten suckling please!!

I have fostered neonatal kittens for many years. I had heard stories about the many challenges involving kitten suckling. I had helped vet teams assess kittens who had health concerns related to suckling. It wasn't until this year that I experienced kitten suckling with my fosters!!

I tried everything I knew to try to stop the suckling. I did internet and social media research on the topic hoping to find other things to try. I really didn't want to separate the babies because they thrive more when together with another kitten. 

I wasn't able to find a solution. In fact, most of the information I did find contradicted other findings. I also found that people are very "passionate" about certain approaches. 

Is there a solution, backed by research or reputable organizations, that fosters can rely on to keep kittens together?  What are the "right" alternatives and are there any definite "no no's"

#FosterPrograms

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rosalie hathcock
Board Member
Little Lives Animal Rescue
GA
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We have this problem a lot and are currently dealing with it. We use sock sweaters. We have one baby who always seems to be the one being suckled, a sock sweater later and they are leaving him alone. This way he doesn't have to be separated from his siblings 

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Elizabeth Worthy
The Kitty n Pittie
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-24-2024 05:52 PM
From: rosalie hathcock
Subject: Kitten Suckling

Let's talk about kitten suckling please!!

I have fostered neonatal kittens for many years. I had heard stories about the many challenges involving kitten suckling. I had helped vet teams assess kittens who had health concerns related to suckling. It wasn't until this year that I experienced kitten suckling with my fosters!!

I tried everything I knew to try to stop the suckling. I did internet and social media research on the topic hoping to find other things to try. I really didn't want to separate the babies because they thrive more when together with another kitten. 

I wasn't able to find a solution. In fact, most of the information I did find contradicted other findings. I also found that people are very "passionate" about certain approaches. 

Is there a solution, backed by research or reputable organizations, that fosters can rely on to keep kittens together?  What are the "right" alternatives and are there any definite "no no's"

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
rosalie hathcock
Board Member
Little Lives Animal Rescue
GA
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