kitten suckling on 10 month old spayed female

Question
Hi, I have a 8 week old kitten that recently started suckling on my 10 month old spayed female cat. She allows him to suckle and every now and again kicks him away. Why does he show this behavior?

Answer
Zoni,

It sounds like your 8 week old kitten wasn't weaned which actually isn't uncommon. Typically for the sake of behavioural and psychological health many experts (myself included) don't suggest taking a kitten from their mom and siblings prior to 12 weeks of age. Those first 12 weeks allow mom to do the weaning properly in her own time and the kittens learn important social lessons from their mom and siblings such as bite inhibition...On average kittens who stay with mom and littermates until 12 weeks of age have fewer behavioural issues later in life.

Your 10 month old is allowing your kitten to experience a natural weaning process of sorts... I wouldn't be surprised if she is producing a little milk - it's not uncommon for female cats, even spayed ones to do so if they are stimulated by a suckling kitten and they feel maternal. I would allow the 10 month old to gradually wean the kitten, this behaviour isn't doing either of them any harm at the moment so there's no issue with allowing it to continue. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me again at any time - I'm more than happy to help in any way that I can.

Kind regards,

Ali