Why is my adult male cat still nursing or suckling at 2 years old?

This is not likely a sign that the cat needs more nutrition but is probably simply a preference. Some kittens want to suckle longer than others for comfort, and some adult cats will continue to try to suckle themselves or other things like blankets. I would think that the momma would put a stop to this pretty quickly, but if you see the cat trying to suckle I would try to intervene so that things between them don’t get out of hand.

Young cats may attempt to nurse during times of stress or anxiety. The testicles typically descend by about 8 weeks of age but can take longer in some cats. Have him examined by your veterinarian to determine if Skittles is "cryptorchid", which means he has one or two undescended testicles.

Some cats are just very loving and social. If he's now neutered he's likely not feeling the "urge" to be a father, but it could be that he just still likes cuddling and snuggling stuffed animals or even pets. If he really likes kittens or baby animals, looking into becoming a foster family for litters of kittens at your local shelter may help with his urge to nurture while helping give care to a litter until they can find a forever home. As long as he isn't being destructive or doesn't seem stressed out by it, I wouldn't be too worried. But if he seems stressed, painful or has any signs of illness, a vet checkup to rule out any issues is always a good idea.

Hello. There is no immediate danger with this behavior & the male kitten will eventually kick everyone off him as he matures. Because of the self-grooming cats do I do not recommend placing a bitter spray on him. Just anytime you see one of the kittens doing this, just gently remove her & try to distract with a treat. This behavior often gets outgrown. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. As long as the mom will let them nurse she will make milk. I would not call it abnormal but it is not really good for them to nurse after 8 weeks of age. They actually become lactose intolerant after that time and even though they seem OK it could cause them issues in the long run. The mother usually stops the kittens from nursing around 8 weeks of age because they will get teeth and start biting the nipples making her uncomfortable. They must not be doing that since she is still allowing them to do it. The mom continuing to make milk also puts a strain on her body nutritionally and she may get underweight and unthrifty. It is best to separate the mom from the kittens until the milk dries up and then have mom spayed. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is possible that Han was weaned too early, but we really do not know why some kittens persist in this behavior. Removing the kitten from you is the first step, but you should try to engage the kitten with play when you do so. A laser light or a feather toy for a few minutes might take his mind off of you. Feeder toys, small balls that you can fill with kibble or treats, that a kitten can roll & chase, will engage him, as well. Adopting another kitten is a very good idea. Cats often are thought of as solitary creatures, but they certainly will keep each other entertained throughout the day. Take care.

It's very common for kittens to continue to try to nurse on other animals in the house. This behavior usually lessens as the kittens mature, so I would not worry about it unless she is causing sores on the other animals or if they are snapping at her when she nurses. If not, then I would just let her grow out of the behavior. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.