As we mentioned earlier, nursing is when your kitty licks her nipples or breasts due to need for nourishment or stress relief.
The process can look funny to us humans because it seems like they just keep doing it forever! It is also interesting to watch the expressions on their faces as they do so. Some seem focused solely on feeding themselves while others appear distracted by something else.
Nursing is very important for kittens and adult cats. Kittens will not survive without milk until they are weaned, and sick or injured cats may stop eating and therefore lose weight which could threaten his/her health.
For male cats, especially older ones, having proper nipple growth can help improve mating habits and success.
Use a cream or milk based formula
When giving your nursing cat her next bottle, make sure that their nipples are fully exposed to help promote happy feeding sessions. If your kitten is still eating dry food with no liquid content, try using an oral gel or powder milk formula as they are already pre-mixed.
This can be done by mixing the milk formula with some warm water either in a cup for adults or a baby bowl for kittens. The fluid will then be applied to the nipple which has to be wet before it is licked off.
Give your cat a bath
When giving your nursing kitten or nursing cat a bath, make sure they are comfortable! If you see them looking uncomfortable, stop what you’re doing at once!
Nursing kittens need frequent grooming to help keep their nipples soft and wash away any excess mucus that could possibly be dried up. For older cats, keeping their nails short and trim helps promote nipple health as well.
If your cat is not eating enough, try offering them some wet food instead of dry so that they can hydrate more easily.
Dry kitty noses will hurt and cause discomfort for your baby! And if your cat has very long hair, it may get in the way when he licks his own nipples. Try using a comb to remove all unnecessary hairs before washing his nose.
Use moisturizing cream
As we mentioned before, nursing is a beautiful thing to watch! The next factor in determining whether or not your kitty will accept her own nipples as adequate are their eating habits.
If you notice that your cat is not grooming herself or taking longer than normal to eat, she may need help with this trick. She may also be experiencing dry skin due to lack of milk production.
As such, make sure her eating area is warm so that she can relax and enjoy food more easily. If needed, use a very light coat of olive oil or cocoa butter to aid in wetting of the nipple area.
Use a nipple shield
A nursing nipples should be slightly protruding, not flattened or extended too much. This is what makes it possible for your cat to nurse!
Nipple shields are helpful in helping this occur. These can be made of different materials such as plastic or silicone and fit over the top of the nipple. The plastic ones that come attached to bottles are often preferred because they can be thrown away once use is completed.
The trick is finding one that fits well! Yours will probably grow with time so do not worry about buying the latest model. Simply look online or at your local pet store to find one that works for you and yours.
Try using different nipples
As we mentioned before, nursing is an intimate experience for both you and your cat. If you are not comfortable with your current nipple choice, try experimenting with other shapes and sizes to see if that works better for them!
Many people start off trying to use their own nipples as nursing mammas, but this can be uncomfortable or even painful for some. Or maybe your breasts are more saggy than firm, so they don’t fit well onto the milk source of your kitten.
Try looking into breastfeeding resources online and reading about how to nurse babies yourself to get helpful tips on how to do it correctly! You may also want to consider finding a help group or chat room for mothers who breastfeed to connect with others or learn from each other.
As tempting as it may be to feed your kitty by yourself, remember that this is a bonding experience for both of you! It will take time to happen if you are not practicing together regularly.
Try using different nipples until you find the right one
Changing your nursing nipple style is an easy way to refresh your cat’s bond with you! Most cats seem to enjoy experimenting with their nippled, so try switching it up occasionally.
Some tips before changing your kitten’s nipples: make sure they are clean and dry, use a new milk source (breast or hand) and start off with only five minutes of breastfeeding per session.
If your kitty seems uncomfortable or distracted during this time, stop and backtrack! Sometimes, older babies need more time to get used to the change, so give them both time to adjust.
Use a pacifier
While there are many different styles of nursing bottles for dogs, what works best for your dog as well as their parents is typically an oral nipple. An oral nipple can be a plastic bottle with latching mechanisms that fit over the top of the mouth or a soft rubber nipple that the baby puts in its own mouth.
The most common type of bottle used by nursing cats is called a pacifier. A lot of breed types require this kind of bottle to help them coordinate sucking and swallowing. Because they’re designed to be easily cleaned, plain white ones work very well. Some brands have fun designs, but they won’t make any difference since your kitty will probably only look at it once before putting it away.
If you’d like to try using a dental nurse bottle instead of a pacifier, remember that you should only use one size! Dental nurses need special sized nipples to aid in helping your cat learn how to eat.
Try different brands of cat nip
Even if you use the same brand of cat nip that your pet loves, it can still look funny! Luckily, there are many ways to make nursing more natural for your kitten or nurse.
First, try changing the shape or size of the nips. Some have rounded edges while others are pointed or flat. You can also add gel to the nip which helps keep their mouth moist.
Second, choose a softer kind of nip. A one-year-old baby will not be able to apply as much force when teething so a less powerful nip is better.
