Kittens Nursing on Another Kitten

I’m writing this post because when I faced this issue with my current kitten, Puff, I couldn’t find much information online. I’ve fostered other kittens who tried to nurse on one another, but in most cases, a short period of separation was enough. They usually grew out of it within a few weeks.

That wasn’t the case with Coco and Puff.

During this stressful experience, I promised myself that if Puff made it through, I would share our story in hopes of helping others going through something similar. I’m not a vet—just a kitten rescuer who specializes in orphaned babies—but I work closely with trusted veterinarians and follow their guidance carefully.

Orphaned at Three Days Old

Coco, Puff, and their late brother Tiny were just three days old when they were found without their mother. The survival rate for neonatal kittens is heartbreakingly low. Tiny passed within a few days, and both Coco and Puff struggled with the side effects of being orphaned.

Though they took to syringe feeding, they still instinctively searched for their mother’s milk. Coco, in particular, became fixated on nursing and began suckling on Puff’s genital area. While some are shocked to learn kittens do this, it’s more common than people think.

As soon as I noticed, I separated them immediately—but the damage was already done. Puff’s area was swollen and inflamed from Coco’s aggressive suckling. I brought him to my local vet, who prescribed ointment and medication. I thought a few week of treatment and separation would be enough.

But Coco remained obsessed.

I tried supervised playtime, but she would immediately go for Puff. At one point, Puff even tried to nurse on Coco. I attempted wrapping their lower halves with vet wrap, but it just slid off. I searched online for kitten diapers—nothing that would fit them. I reached out to my online community for help, and Emma created two tiny onesies for them. They helped for a short while… until Coco figured out how to outsmart them.

The Struggle Intensifies

Puff’s swelling worsened. He struggled to pee—even with me stimulating him manually. I had to help him every 2 to 4 hours, and each session took anywhere from 15 to 50 minutes. It was stressful for Puff, and emotionally taxing on me. Puff began associating me with discomfort, and that broke my heart.

My local vet wasn’t equipped to do more for a kitten that young. I consulted with a specialist and an emergency vet. Both agreed: he was too small for surgery. They wouldn’t feel comfortable operating until he was at least three months old.

But he was only 3.5 weeks old.

So, I kept going—stimulating him around the clock to prevent a fatal urinary blockage. If a kitten can’t urinate, the bladder can rupture, toxins build up, and death follows.

Emergency Surgery at 4.5 Weeks

One week later, Puff was completely blocked. Nothing worked. I rushed him back to the specialist and asked them to operate, despite him being only 4.5 weeks old. Thankfully, the surgeon agreed. Well, that was pretty much his only option to survive.

I cried in relief.

After weeks of feeling like the burden was entirely mine, experts could finally take over. With help from my community, we raised the funds for Puff’s surgery. I was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness, and the way people came together for Puff.

Post-Surgery: Was It a Success?

The surgery went well! Puff apparently peed on his own right afterward, which was the best news I could have hoped for. I switched to pellet litter, as clumping litter could irritate the surgical site. I set up his space next to Coco’s and added pee pads to monitor his output.

But after a few days—no pee on his own. I had to start helping him again. The clinic reassured me: as long as he was peeing with help, it was okay. Still, I worried. Coco was already litter-trained, so it wasn’t an age issue.

I set up a camera to watch them during playtime and saw Puff squatting in Coco’s litter box. I couldn’t tell if he had actually gone, but it made me wonder if he simply didn’t like the pellet litter. So, I switched his box back to the same litter Coco was using—and I waited.

That night, around 1 a.m., I heard scratching behind me. I turned around and saw Puff in his own litter box.

I held my breath as he peed.
“Did you pee pee?” I asked.
He answered with his signature high-pitched meow.

The relief was real...for both of us.

Setback: Nursing Behavior Returns

Just as I began to relax, Coco tried to nurse on Puff again. My heart sank. I had to act fast. I put a hard cone on Coco to prevent her from reaching him—a soft one wouldn’t have stopped her. I didn’t want to put anything on Puff since he had just started using the litter box—he didn’t need another setback.

They either remained separated, Coco wore a cone, or they were under strict supervision. I couldn’t risk anything after everything Puff had been through. The surgeon suggested adopting them out separately—it would’ve been the easier path. But I still held onto hope that they could stay together.

The Fabric Nipple Solution

Someone recommended a unique product on Etsy: pillowcases with sewn-in nipples, made specifically for kitten comfort. I ordered one for Coco, hoping it might redirect her instincts. Unfortunately, she wasn’t interested. Still, I’m keeping it for future fosters.

A Happy Ending in Sight

Over time, I allowed Coco and Puff to spend more time together under camera supervision. I wanted to see if she would eventually grow out of the behavior. Two weeks went by—no more nursing attempts.

At last, she was done.

Now, at 2.5 months old, they are thriving—cuddling, playing, and growing up side by side. And the best news of all…They are currently pending adoption together.

P.S.

If I had lost Puff to this, I wasn’t sure how I would have recovered. This was, by far, the most difficult experience I’ve had in kitten rescue since I started. My husband asked me if I’d rather have ringworm babies or another case like Puff. I’d take ringworm babies any day.