Why a cat sucks its tail

As a preventative measure, your sphynx will need regular bathing and proper skin care to remove blackheads, dirt and skin grease that can clog pores on the skin.

Why do some cats like to suck or chew on tissue?

What should you do if your cat sucks on blankets, sweaters, towels, socks, carpets and even rubber gloves? Can she be weaned?

A wide variety of cat foods are available nowadays. Both in canned and dry form. The choice of flavor can often lead to considerable confusion. How many of us have ever had the opportunity to try delicacies such as herring in oranges or turkey in carrot jelly? Many cat owners also try to pamper their pets by serving dishes prepared especially for them. And just when it seems that nothing can surprise us anymore, they suddenly decide to become textile specialists. Why does a cat suck on blankets, sweaters, towels, socks, licks carpets and even rubber gloves?

Things made of wool, cotton and synthetic materials are often on the list of special preferences. Less frequently reported are cases where a cat sucks its own tail or, in the case of male cats, the foreskin.

This phenomenon was first noticed in the 1950s. Initially, scientists thought it was only characteristic of Siamese cats. However, research shows that the problem also affects Burmese cats, Burmese-Siamese crossbreds, as well as regular cats.

Premature weaning of kittens

The sucking reflex is an innate reflex. It appears in newborns immediately after birth when they first come in contact with the mother's teat and when the lips and mucous membrane of the mouth are irritated. At a later age, it develops into the chewing reflex.

The mother cat feeds her cubs with milk until about 6 weeks of age. Sometimes she extends this time until the 8th-10th week, when the kittens become fully independent. If this process is interrupted too early, the kitten continues to feel the need to suckle. It then seeks out the object that most resembles its mother's nipple. When suckling material, cats are completely absorbed in this activity. In addition, it is usually accompanied by alternating kneading with their front paws (as occurs when sucking milk).

According to one theory, the cat's brain releases happiness hormones during this activity, which gives it pleasure. Moreover, they may even become addicted to it.

Other reasons for an excessive love of sucking may be stress or poor nutrition. If you don't provide your cat with the right amount of nutrients, she will seek them out in every way possible.

My kitten (4 months old) sucks the tip of her tail almost constantly with purring and smacking. Is that normal?

Yes, it's normal. It's just that he was weaned from his mother's tit early, so he sucks his tail, remembering his mother. It's a natural instinct.

There's nothing wrong with your kitty…
mine still (and she is two years old) loves to suck on soft toys) finds it sometimes)

Here's interesting, first we take the kitten away from his mother at a very tiny age, it results in a neurosis expressed in sucking on soft objects, and then happily write that it is – normal! It is NOT NORMAL, miserable pet owners. And there is a name for it – compulsive neurosis. and how to treat, I do not know, not faced. kittens before three months from the mother did not tear away.

Tasha Artificial Intelligence (111592) Then I'm sorry. It's just very typical behavior for kittens who have been ripped away from their mother early and the sucking reflex is left behind. It's also common in Siamese cats. I suggest wetting the tip of the tail with diluted levomycetin in water – it is VERY bitter, safe in this dose, and it will wean it off.

The cat sucks its tail before going to bed. How do you save indoor flowers from cat encroachment?

Hello! My 6 month old cat's name is Pufa. Her character is mischievous and very active – a real troublemaker)))). I feed her canned food for kittens Pro Plan, Hills, Yams, and homemade mix of beef, lean chicken and turkey without skin with rice and buckwheat, green salad and celery (he loves it very much), with yolk and some vegetable oil. Sometimes – boiled meat. Fish, liver, heart – I give it once in a while. And also different vitamins and treats for kittens, including such companies as Biofar and Sanal. And, of course, there is always grass for kittens.
Now Pufen is 6 months old, weighs 2300g, active, loves to eat and play, talkative, not spayed.
I am very interested in how you can wean my kitty from two things, namely:

1. before going to sleep with a self-loathing rumbling begins to suck the tip of his own tail, so he falls asleep. Moreover, when I slowly try to take the tail out of his mouth and push it back to its proper place, Poofa immediately wakes up and insistently takes it back! I tried smearing the tip of the tail with mustard and pepper. This helped, but only for a while. Then it happens again. Can you advise, maybe there is a more effective method?

2. a sore point: house plants. I have 5 pots with money trees that are 10 years old. These plants have such dense fleshy leaves. And these leaves have come to my Poofa clearly to the taste. She does not eat them, but the leaves that she can get to, all in a hole from her teeth! It's also great to dig out all the dirt under the plants! We tried to wean her off on their own: and sprayed, and the noise created by the newspaper, and flicked his nose, my husband was already sitting in an ambush with a spray gun, and when the Poof was getting closer to the plants, sprinkled her with water. The last hope was on antignawzin. American 8 in 1, saved it for three days. Then history repeated itself. In principle, I can, of course, constantly spray antignaw, but it's chemistry. I do not think it is good for the cat, plants, well, for me and my husband too )))))

The cat is trying to eat his tail

Hello, Shnappi, a little over 2 years old, neutered, vaccinated, wormed (before vaccination), frontline treats regularly before going to the country. He eats and sleeps well, goes to the toilet regularly, plays, often rolls upside down. He plays with pleasure. Is under observation at your clinic.
This summer he began to chase his tail. Mostly the tip. Growls and even yells at it. Doesn't bite it till it bleeds. It started at the end of June, we took him to the dacha – he didn't hunt there. We brought him home in August – he started again. The feeling is that he annoys him. Bites, licks, bites. The tail lets him touch it (i.e., it does not hurt).
In general, the cat is very nervous and timid, hardly take him to the doctor, afraid of visitors, hides (it is his life so, it has nothing to do with the tail).
Please advise what we should do with him?

Distract from the tail by all available means, play more with the cat, buy or build a cat climbing complex. As a last resort, smear or sprinkle the tip of the tail with something very unpleasant for the cat, for example, cats do not like the smell and taste of citrus fruits.
Although my cat occasionally finds her tail and always really sees it. Starts catching it, licking it, gets pissed off and takes off into the blue distance))). I think tail catching is a great way to release energy.

hehe))) funny))) and our dog today found his back paws. and started chewing them. we do not give them to chew. she liked them so much. then chews, then licks… and shoves a paw almost the whole in his mouth)))

Hmm. Well, then, he's insatiable. He has a lot of toys, tunnel, complex was climbing. And the other day I looked closely and felt his tail: still bitten to the point of soreness.

I read a lot of literature on the behavior of cats, because my own Siamese with "zakidonami". Now chews his claws, licks with frenzy, and runs like a meteor – something frightened, or glitches cat visited. So, about chewing the tail. The owners wrapped their cat's tail with hot sauce to get rid of this habit. And the doctor said: "If your pet likes it and it's not harmful to him, then let him continue. Why not give your cat a blanket or a towel to chew on or suck on? A special bone? Cats that are torn away from their mother too early or bottle-fed always need a "substitute" for her. After all, it's better than smoking! Maybe another cat will help him get rid of his boredom and grow up! Or get an aquarium with fish ("cat TV")But better just leave him alone and give him some object to chew on. "By the way, in this book (by Michael W. Fox, "All About Pets") and in another, "The cat in the house," found a lot about the behavior of cats!

What to do with the "weirdness" of the pet

In its search for the lost sensations of childhood, the cat tries to experience them by licking its tail or paw. It all depends on the time when the cat started sucking its tail. If the kitten is very young, you should not deprive him of this pleasure. This is not the case if the adult continues to suck the hair on his tail with relentless persistence. In such cases, he runs the risk of harming his health, namely:

• Stomach clogging.. Constant licking of the tail can lead to an excessive accumulation of hair residues in the cat's intestines. Hair not excreted by the body can create a health hazard for the animal and even lead him to the operating table.
• Deterioration of the tail. The owner should check the condition of this part of the pet's body daily. Sores may appear on the skin from frequent exposure to the cat's teeth and saliva. It is important to prevent infection from entering them, which can lead to the formation of purulent abscesses.
• Alopecia of the skin. Constant stay in the mouth of the four-legged can cause damage to the hairs on the tail, as a consequence of which the latter can begin to go bald. This is not the most beneficial condition for the pet's body, not to mention the aesthetic side of the issue.

If a purr-fly sucks his tail infrequently and does not injure him, there is nothing to be done about the situation.

How to break the habit

You can teach your cat to suck its tail in the following ways:

• Offer the fluffy "tail substitute". You can use a toy or pick up another thing safe for the pet.
• Using bitter-tasting solutions (not poisonous!). This approach is recommended if the pet is harming its furry cane. By licking the bitter solution, the cat will eventually be weaned off chewing his tail. But there is another problem together: the pet can become irritable and even aggressive. The owner needs to be attentive to his four-legged friend during this period. Deprived of the usual joy of the cat needs additional portions of affection, especially before bedtime. These minutes the owner should help the pet to calm down and fall asleep without the "pacifier".

Kitten sucking the tip of his tail

The kitten constantly kind of "milks" the tip of her tail like a mother. I can not wean. Pepper, mustard smeared – does not help. Cat breeders, advise what to do?

Yes, I also noticed he does it mostly when he wakes up, or, conversely, before going to sleep.

And what is it bothering you? The kitten was torn from her mother early, maybe 1, 5 months, suckling. Such kittens sometimes their whole life sucking hands, hair, blankets, etc. Because they did not get enough heat – stroke more.

About the operation: arrange with the doctor. Bring the cat to the clinic, vaccinated and wormed. You leave her there for the operation. Appoint a time when you will pick her up (in the morning brought to the evening picked up, about this). There are clinics that leave her for a couple of days, but I wouldn't do that, in my opinion it's too much stress for the animal. The cat will be given a dose of anesthesia based on its weight. Shave the side or tummy (depends on the doctor and clinic, who does what, breeders argue what is better. My personal subjective opinion is that it heals better on the side.) They make an incision, about 3.5 cm, and remove the ovaries. It's called an ovariectomy. It's the least traumatic operation, but for non-pregnant cats.[/quote]

That's all true. The only thing I would add: it is best to remove both uterus and ovaries. That's the only way to do it in the U.S. for a long time. In major cities, too. The main thing is to make sure that the doctor castrates the cat, and not just ligates the tubes. Because in this case the cat will only lose the ability to get pregnant, and this will not protect from health problems, since the hormones are still raging. The stitch on the side (lapará) of course heals better, it is many times smaller. The choice between the white line (abdomen) or lapará (hole in the side) depends on which method the particular doctor has a hand in. Lapará is better, but if he started doing it a week ago and has been doing it along the white line for 20 years before that. Let him cut on the white line.

Reasons why sphynx cats chew their tails

Feline hyperesthesia

Skin problems may be a possible reason for your sphynx to chew on his tail. Feline hyperesthesia is a syndrome in which cats have increased skin sensitivity along their lower back all the way to their tail. This causes irritability or hypersensitivity, causing them to attack their tail or rather chew on it for some relief.
Sometimes the sensitivity can lead to a tingling or uneasy sensation in the lower back toward the tail, which can cause the cat to become frustrated. This can cause the cat to bite its tail, resulting in serious damage that can lead to infection. In this situation, the cat will need medical attention and treatment to relieve the symptoms.

Feline acne.

Acne is a common problem in sphynxes due to the fact that they are hairless and their skin is fully exposed to dirt, dust and debris. As a result, their pores become clogged, causing acne and other skin problems.

Another possible cause could be dry or damaged skin caused by excessive bathing or using scented shampoos. All of these skin problems make the cat uncomfortable, and they respond by scratching. A possible reason why sphynx cats are constantly biting or attacking their tails.

Sebaceous tail.

This is caused by sebaceous glands near the cat's tail that secrete excessive amounts of fat. This results in an oily, waxy brown material with a rancid odor on the top of the tail at the base. The cat will feel irritation in this area and will try to soothe it by sucking or biting the tail.

This condition is most common in unsterilized male cats, but it can also occur in fixed males and females. Treatment includes spaying the sphynx and washing daily with an antiseborrheic shampoo.

Behavioral problems

Behavioral problems in cats can manifest in different ways. One way may be compulsive biting of an object, a toy, or even a body part. In this situation, it may mean that the target object is the cat's tail.

How to wean a sphynx from biting its own tail

Before you can find a possible solution to the problem, you must find the cause. They have so many different causes and distinctive symptoms by which to diagnose the problem. Here are a few methods to help stop the sphinx from attacking or interfering with the tail.

For each cause, there is a specific solution to help treat or prevent this behavior.

Addressing health problems

A possible health problem that can cause a sphynx to bite its tail is hyperesthesia. Symptoms include hypersensitivity in cats with their backs to their tails, increased aggression, excessive grooming, tail chasing, vocalization and scratching. Although these symptoms can sometimes be so direct and easy to diagnose, you need to visit your local veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis.

To treat hyperesthesia in cats, your veterinarian may prescribe a serotonin-boosting medication to help stabilize the cat's mood and relieve symptoms. The veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help with skin sensitivity and inflammation.

Feline acne.

Treating acne involves removing acne, as well as using the best antibacterial washes. The main cause of acne is due to a lack of routine bathing. Especially bald sphinxes secrete oils that don't absorb. This attracts dirt and bacteria that clog pores and cause acne.

Part of the treatment involves regular bathing with appropriate cat shampoos. You can also use an antiseborrheic shampoo to cleanse the affected area. It is also a range of gels and cooling lotions that help reduce swelling, redness and itching.

Sphinx tail.

Treatment includes spaying the sphinx and washing it daily with an anti-seborrheic shampoo to help clear the affected area. For instant relief, you can use warm water and a soft cloth to soothe the area.

The kitten is sick.

"Hmm…so even children used to be officially advised to wean off nail chewing by putting quinine on the tips of their nails. "

No, honestly, I put myself in the author's place, and I understand that if I had no correct ideas about cats, but only the most common, everyday things (you know, this favorite: "the cat can always eat leftovers from our table," "but why she need to vaccinate – it's domestic! ", etc.), then I would also probably reason logically: if the kitten is constantly sucking his tail, and I need to wean him – then I need to smear something bitter, but that he was not poisoned. And what is bitter, but not poisonous, is in every home? So that's it– mustard, pepper…

Of course, I'm in no way saying that this is right! But one can understand the author's logic (quite plausible).

Wormwood is bitter "hmm… so even children used to be officially advised to wean them from biting their nails by smearing the tips of their nails with quinine. "

Children! Human ones! Not kittens. No, honestly, I put myself in the author's place, and I understand that if I had no correct ideas about cats, but only the most common, everyday things (you know, this favorite: "the cat can always eat leftovers from our table," "but why she need to vaccinate – it's domestic! ", etc.), then I would also probably reason logically: if the kitten is constantly sucking his tail, and I need to wean him – then I need to smear something bitter, but that he was not poisoned. And what is bitter, but not poisonous, is in every home? So that's it– mustard, pepper…

Of course, I'm in no way saying that this is right! But the logic of the author (quite plausible) to understand).

No, Guest, just I try to raise by all the rules, eating it right foods, vaccinated according to schedule, well here is advice breeder pepper! This is the first time I have encountered such a thing. The first cat lived for 16 years and there was nothing like that.

My husband and his children and grandchildren piss me off.

My cat sucks the clothes that I wear, the top, the night clothes. I probably took her too young, and she began to take me as a mother, you take her in your arms and she immediately begins to lead the nose and smack. I was infuriated, I weaned it. cat for 4 years and nothing has changed. it sometimes infuriates me, but she so strictly say, they can not and she stops!)

My cat is 13 years old, he periodically falls into infancy. Sucks the tip of his tail. And falls asleep. He remembers his mother. ))

Well, periodically – it's not every day)))) do not want the cat to leave his beauty bald)))) and how much fur he eats! I have a Scottish, woolly cat))))

19. It is better to exclude cream, cheese – fat. Give kefir or yogurt what. I would not recommend fish.

What kind of kitten does not suck and chew on her tail? He is still small. Soon grows up to be phlegmatic, especially Scottish.

Yes, I also noticed that he mostly does this when he wakes up, or, on the contrary, before going to sleep.

My cat is 2 years old, all his life on his paws like nipples makes and sucks)))

Guest [3826041858], thanks for the information. Wow, and I was told by the breeder on the contrary that 10% cream should be given every night…

As you can see by the size of my comments – I do not give a bread, let only about cats)))) So you do not bore me, of course)

I don't know why some breeders still think we should give light cream to kittens. Our vet clearly taught us that it's not allowed and it's very bad for the liver. Well, not to mention the fact that cottage cheese (and any fermented milk) in any case is much healthier than cream. That's why cottage cheese is our everything).

And about the glitch because of the food – no, most likely, it's really a matter of habit and the fact that this way, falling asleep, he wants to associate what is happening with the most-complete comfort, mother, etc. But I'm always a proponent of ruling out all possible options) So if there are shoals in the diet – better to fix them than not fix them)