How to Stop Cat from Nursing on Dog

Key Takeaways:

• Mothering instinct causes some cats to nurse dogs. It’s harmless but can be annoying. Provide toys for nursing urge.
• Distract and separate pets when nursing starts. Train dog to move away.
• Address any anxiety/stress triggers. Consult vet if milk production continues.
• Spaying, routine, and calming aids can help prevent future incidents.
• Use rewards, timeouts, and bonding to improve pet relationships.
• In rare cases, rehoming one pet may be needed if issues persist.

Reasons Why a Cat May Nurse on a Dog

Mothering behaviors are natural in cats, even without pregnancy or kittens. Reasons a cat may begin nursing a dog include:

• She recently weaned a litter and her milk production continues. This can last 4-6 weeks post-weaning until hormones normalize.
• She has a strong maternal instinct triggered by hormones like prolactin and oxytocin. This urge to mother is not based in logic.
• The nursing brings her comfort and satisfies the urge to care for young. It activates the reward centers in her brain.
• She views the dog like one of her kittens that needs cared for. Her instincts tell her to nurse anything nearby.
• She may be showing dominance over the dog by initiating forceful grooming. It establishes a hierarchical order.

Usually nursing arises shortly after a cat raises a litter or experiences a false pregnancy. While harmless, stopping the behavior helps return the cat to normal.

Methods for Stopping Cat from Nursing Dog

Here are some tactics to discourage the nursing habit:

• Provide plush cat toys, beds, playmates so she can redirect mothering instincts. Give appropriate outlets.
• Give the cat more exercise and enrichment to burn excess energy. Increase daily playtime.
• Distract or gently squirt water when the cat attempts to nurse the dog. Break her focus.
• Separate the pair into different rooms when unsupervised. Limit access.
• Train the dog to walk away or make noise when the cat initiates. Escape and make it unpleasant.
• Consider anxiety relieving supplements or pheromone diffusers. Address stress triggers.
• Have your vet address possible medical causes like hormone disorder. Rule out health issues.

With perseverance interrupting the nursing, the cat should eventually discontinue the behavior on her own within a few weeks.

Preventing Cat from Nursing Dog

To further prevent repeat incidents:

• Ensure the cat is spayed so she cannot experience false pregnancies. Stop hormone fluctuations.
• Maintain the cat’s normal routine as much as possible after weaning kittens. Stability avoids triggers.
• Give your dog a safe spot to retreat to like a crate or room if needed. Somewhere to escape the cat.
• Evaluate for stress/anxiety issues triggering the cat’s over-grooming. Vet can prescribe if needed.
• Keep litter boxes clean and feeding stations separated to reduce shared space disputes. Avoid conflicts.
• Try calming supplements like Feliway diffusers to ease any environmental stress. Helps relax all pets.

With the right tools and techniques, problematic nursing can resolve allowing for improved bonds between both pets long-term.

Prevention Method	How It Helps
Spaying	Stops hormone fluctuations and false pregnancies
Normal Routine	Maintains stability and avoids nursing triggers
Retreat Space	Gives dog somewhere to escape the cat
Stress Evaluation	Addresses root cause if anxiety/stress related
Resources Separation	Prevents conflicts over shared resources
Calming Aids	Helps relax and de-stress all pets

Conclusion

Cats often begin forcefully nursing dogs due to lingering motherly instincts and hormones after weaning their own young. While ultimately harmless, the behavior can be a nuisance. Provide alternative outlets for the cat’s maternal urges along with patient training tactics to discourage nursing. Ensure any medical factors are addressed as well. With consistency, the cat will drop the bothersome habit and harmony will be restored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my cat nursing on my dog?

A: Mothering behaviors like nursing are common in cats. The cat likely has hormonal urges to take care of and groom a target, in this case an accepting dog.

Q: Is it harmful for my dog to be nursed on by a cat?

A: While annoying for the dog, being forcefully nursed by a cat generally causes no medical harm unless skin irritation develops.

Q: How do I stop my cat from nursing on my dog?

A: Distract and separate the pair when nursing begins. Give the cat appropriate outlets like toys. Train the dog to move away. Break the habit consistently.

Q: Can I train my cat and dog to get along better?

A: Yes, use rewards to reinforce peaceful behaviors between them, and timeouts for aggression/bullying. Bonding exercises can improve their dynamic.

Q: What if my cat and dog continue to have issues?

A: Consult an animal behaviorist if problems persist beyond your own training attempts. In rare cases, rehoming one pet may be considered.