sucking on my neck

Question
My 5 month old Siamese kitten licks and sucks on my neck every opportunity she has to get near it (i.e., she'll poke her head through the banister pole halfway up the stairs and if I stop to pet her, she'll lick my neck and try to suckle.) If I pick her up for a hug and petting, she'll immediately commence licking and sucking my neck. She can't sit on my lap for even a few minutes before she is frantically trying to push my shirt down and suckle my neeck. If I put my hand up or pull my shirt over my chin, she'll go sideways until she finds an opening. I enjoy the affection and don't want to keep pushing her off my lap, or avioding physical contact, but she really gets my neck and collar soaked, can't seem to stop long enough to even come up for air, and family members think the sucking noises are disgusting. I found many websites that sell cat pacifiers. Should I buy one? What else can I do? I know she was likely weaned too early and that she apparently considers me her mom, but I am concerned that she will not outgrow this behavior on her own.

Answer
Arlene,

You did not tell me whether this is a recent development or is something she has been doing since you got her?

There are products you can apply to yourself to see if she will stop because the taste will be so bad.  There is Bitter Apple or anything strong and citrus should deter her.  You can also check with your vet to see if there is anything new on the market they use to deter cats from over grooming themselves.

I would also consider buying a cat pacifier to see if that helps.  Also, at this point, I will bet she is teething which just adds to everything. You can check her mouth to see if it is very raw and inflamed from teething.  Some clindamiacin aquadrops and a small dose of prednisone can take much of the inflammation and soreness away.  You can check with your vet.

Cats tend to be incredibly persistent and Siamese are among the most persistent of all.  As to being weaned to early, you are probably correct.  You want to transfer the sucking behavior to something else so she does not begin suckling on herself or chewing wool, or some of the other chewing habits they can get into to.

The good news is you are not trying negative discipline, which tends not to work at all with cats!!!!!

Please let me know how things go.

Best regards... Norm.