Kitten advice, he's about 6 - 8 months

[inamuddle1]

I'm looking after my friends kitten, and it super cute. At first he was scared in a different persons house, and wouldn't let me anywhere near him, but now he has settled in perfectly. Super cute and mischievous!!! The thing i was wondering is, it keeps on sucking on my hand, makes a really loud sucking noise, obviously because he's still a baby. Just wondering though, is there anything wrong? He doesn't seem to drink any water... something I've noticed. I don't think I've seen it drink anything all week. Is this strange for a cat? Thank you <3

[pastafreak]

Cats don't usually need as much water as we do,or dogs.
The sucking is most likely for comfort...some cats suck on wool-or they will 'kneed' it as they do their mums when nursing.

[ladybirder]

They usually do the sucking motion because they were taken away from their mothers when they were too young.

[mightymouse]

Always have fresh....or even better..rain water for him to drink. Cats do need water. Love and enjoy him!

[ladybirder]

Yes mm, mine will only drink rain water. I got her some tonight from a jug I hang over the balcony to catch the rain as it falls. Then I fell over the dish I'd put it in and sloshed it all over the kitchen floor. Now I'm waiting for it to rain again. Grrr!

[inamuddle1]

Thank you. It's such a cute little kitty. A wee ball of energy. I love fighting with him, dont want to give him back on Tuesday :( :)

[Brinjal]

Yes the sucking is usually because they have been taken away too soon from mum. My cat is 5 and he still will suck if he gets the chance. Mine loves to drink the water from the flower vases. Don't be inamuddle get your self off to the nearest animal shelter and get yourself a kitten.

[lcg]

my cat is 18mths and still sucks.....some cats just do this, and like kneading is a comfort response showing the cat is happy with your attention. as long as you have water with his food, he will be getting enough fluids - my cat is called nibbler as she is so obviously stuck at the oral stage of development! (she was taken from her mum at 8 months!). enjoy your house guest x

[karenmac60]

Both my cats still do the sucking thing and they left mum at 8 and 9 weeks. One of them drinks a little but the other one never does - they eat wet food and the vet says he will be getting enough fluid from it so not to worry.

[Barmaid]

wet food generally gives them all they want. If fresh water is available and he isn't taking it, I wouldn't worry.

ASBO still sucks a particular jumper I wear and he is 6!!!!!

[furrypusscat]

From being a kitten, my cat now 9 has never drunk much at all even though he has a bowl of water and a bowl of cat milk. He does eat wet food so maybe gets enough liquid from that. We have mentioned this to the vet who doesn't seem unduly worried. It would be more worrying if he drank a lot as this can be a sign of kidney damage.