No, I’m not expressing a dislike for certain breeds of cat. Some cats, and you may have noticed this in your own pet kitty, like to suck on fabrics and even human flesh, such as an ear lobe. This seemingly bizarre behavior is quite commonplace, is known as ‘wool-sucking’ and is the feline equivalent of thumb sucking.

What is Wool Sucking?

Although it is called wool sucking, modern cats are happy to suck on any fabrics, whether they are synthetic or natural makes no difference, the cat is simply looking for anything that reminds him, or her, of Mother. The most common reason for a cat to suck is that it was weaned too early. Now, this may seem a little Freudian, but it’s true. Typically, a cat relies on its mother’s milk for the first six weeks of life. However, kittens continue to suckle for a further six to ten weeks. If a cat is removed from its mother before this time, or is orphaned, he, or she, can continue to search for a surrogate for many years. In fact, some cats spend their entire lives looking for a mother figure and continue to suck and chew on fabrics even in old age.

Breeds That are More Susceptible

There are some breeds of cat that are more prone to wool-sucking behavior. In fact, Asian breeds, for example Siamese and Burmese, can develop sucking behavior even when they have been weaned correctly. As yet, nobody has unearthed a reason for this, which suggests that some cats are genetically predisposed to wool sucking regardless of the way that they were reared.

Obsessive Compulsive Behavior

For the vast majority of cats that suck, it is a perfectly harmless, reassuring and calming behavior. However, in some cases, wool sucking can be a habit that escalates into obsessive compulsive chewing and sucking. Of course, when a cat’s chewing habits extend to show laces, plastic bags and similar items, it can result in life-threatening damage to the intestinal tract. Therefore, if your cat is a sucker, it is wise to keep an eye on his, or her, habits to ensure that they are not developing into something more serious. If you’re worried about your cat’s wool sucking or any items that he, or she, may have chewed, it is a good idea to seek the immediate assistance of a veterinarian.

How to Stop Your Cat’s Sucking Habits

If your cat is displaying worrying signs of obsessive sucking, there are some steps that you may like to consider. For example, it is advisable to restrict your cat’s access to closets, bedroom and bathrooms, so he, or she, does not have ready access to an endless supply of blankets and towels. Additionally, it is a good idea to distract your cat with new toys or interactive playtime. With any luck, this will prevent him, or her, from finding other household objects to suck.

Alternatively, you may choose to provide an alternative surrogate, which is akin to a child’s pacifier and comes in the shape of a cat with four latex teats. This allows your pet to satisfy its sucking desires safely, without any damage to your furniture or fabrics. Owners should be aware that this may not provide a long-term solution however, as a cat may become bored with the product and look for other items.

If your cat is a wool-sucker, there is generally nothing to worry about. However, I would always recommend that owners keep a close eye on their sucking cats to ensure that the habit does not become severe and that they are only sucking and chewing on objects that are harmless.