A survey-based assessment of risk factors for cross-sucking behaviors in neonatal kittens, Felis catus
Open accessAbstract
Cross-sucking, or non-nutritive sucking on the bodies of littermates, is commonly observed in early-weaned animals. This behavior has been well-documented in production animals, which are often separated from their mothers before weaning. The behavior is less well-understood in other domestic species, such as cats (Felis catus), that can be orphaned due to neglect, maternal death, or accidental separation. Anecdotally, cross-sucking can cause injuries in kittens, sometimes severe enough to warrant euthanasia. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of this behavior in domestic cats. We conducted a survey of caretakers (N = 407) of kittens (< 60 days old) with the goal of identifying characteristics of individual kittens, litters, the environment, and husbandry that might be associated with the presence of cross-sucking. The final data set, representing 1358 kittens, was comprised of 301 litters experiencing sucking and 106 litters not experiencing sucking behaviors. Almost all of the kittens represented in the survey (91%) were orphaned. Results suggested that being orphaned (X 2(1) = 42.64, p < 0.001), bottle-fed (X 2(2) = 40.32, p < 0.001), younger (t(405) = 3.48 p < 0.001), separated earlier from the mother (t(376) = 3.10, p = 0.002), and being in an all-male litter (X 2(2) = 7.13, p = 0.03) increased the risks of cross-sucking. Male kittens also were more likely to be recipients of sucking behavior (X 2(1) = 32.30, p < 0.001). No clear associations between the environment or husbandry practices and the presence of sucking behavior were identified. Interruption and separation were the most frequently reported management strategies, but most kittens returned to sucking behavior when reunited. Cross-sucking is a frequently reported behavior problem in orphaned kittens that may indicate distress or poor welfare. Future research should focus on a better understanding of prevention and management strategies, and determination of the effects, if any, of cross-sucking as a kitten on adult cat outcomes or behavior.
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Cross-sucking refers to non-nutritive sucking of the littermates (mostly external genitalia and umbilical stumps), a behaviour that can inflict severe injuries.
“This refers to non-nutritive sucking of the littermates (mostly external genitalia and umbilical stumps), a behaviour that can inflict severe injuries.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [45]
The Introduction defines cross-sucking as non-nutritive sucking on littermates, and the Results (Observation and management of sucking behavior) identify genitals as the most frequent target and report injuries, including one case requiring surgery. The Results identify the stomach as another frequent target but do not identify umbilical stumps, so that specific part of the claim is unsupported. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEarly weaned and orphan kittens can develop cross-sucking behaviour.
“Early weaned and orphan kittens can develop cross-sucking behaviour.45”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [45]
A recent study documented an increased risk of cross-sucking development in orphan, bottle-fed, and younger kittens, as well as in those precociously separated from the mother or belonging to all-male litters.
“a recent study 45 documented an increased risk of cross-sucking development in orphan, bottlefed and younger kittens, as well as in those change in feeding is often the underlying cause; for example, when making the transition from maternal to artificial milk, or changing the milk replacer formula.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [45]
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- Authors
- Delgado, M. M., Walcher, I., & Buffington, C. A. T.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Delgado, Mikel M.
- Venue
- Applied Animal Behaviour Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-09
- Volume
- 230
- Pages
- 105069
- ISSN
- 0168-1591 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7377281
- OpenAlex
- W3035810512
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 2.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Applied Animal Behaviour Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- Maddie's Fund
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Keywords
- cross-sucking, non-nutritive sucking, kittens, risk factors, bottle feeding, weaning, behavioral problems, feline behavior
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