Some Of Our Favorite Kitten Calming Essentials:
- Petstages Cat Pillow
- Relaxivet Cat Calming Diffuser
- Thunderwunders Calming Gel
- Upsky Interactive Ball Toy
- Pawz Plush Blanket
Taking care of baby kittens is a lot like taking care of baby humans. Newly-weaned kittens need special attention, and you as a parent are responsible for doing it.
Kittens should be weaned when they’re older than 4 weeks old. However, if you choose to do this earlier, your furry baby might suffer from anxiety and would need something to keep him or her comfortable.
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Items such as soothing pet toys, calming diffusers, and calming gel, have been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety in their first weeks of life. Along with the products mentioned above, one of the most popular ways to help reduce stress and something you can easily do at home is DIY your own kitten pacifier.
Understanding how to make a kitten pacifier will help your kitten get through this difficult stage. We’ll explain why your kitten keeps on sucking on stuff, how to make a kitten pacifier, and how to use it properly.
How to Make a Kitten Pacifier
This DIY project is easy and fun. It can be something that you do with other members of the family to help your baby kitten overcome a stressful stage comfortably.
And kittens can become pretty fond of their toys. Here’s a video of a kitten roaring when someone tries to take his baby pacifier:
Here is what you’ll need to make your kitten’s pacifier.
- A good soother or soothers.
- Some of your kitten’s most favorite stuff.
- Nylon thread.
1. Choose the Right Soother
Nipple soothers are either made of plastic, latex or silicone. Latex and silicone are very easy to clean but silicone soothers are firmer than the latex ones.
You can pick between latex and silicone depending on your kitten’s preference. Latex might not suit teething kittens that can bite the soother off easily.
Plastic nipples are long-lasting and won’t be easily bitten off. However, if your kitten chews on the pacifier, it might develop a jagged edge that can harm your kitten’s delicate gums.
It’s very important to pick a soother where the guard and ring are perfectly molded so that the kitten doesn’t accidentally swallow any small piece.
2. Choose Personal Items
A baby kitten will find comfort in some personal items just like baby humans. You can pick your kitten’s favorite blanket, a pillow or a stuffed animal.
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Stuffed animals and furry objects are typically more suitable for your kitten’s pacifier. A warm object that feels like the mother’s body will do the job.
There are specific stuffed animals that are made for newborn kittens and puppies that mimic the warmth and movement of being with their brothers and sisters or even their mother. Although this Petstages Cat Pillow is more geared towards puppies, it works great for kittens as well. Simply microwave the buckwheat pack inside and your new kitten will be sleeping peacefully and will feel a lot more at home.
3. Assemble the Pacifier
Now that you’ve got everything ready, you should attach the soother to the comfy item you’ve picked to keep your kitten relaxed.
Use nylon thread to sew the pacifier to the item. Make sure that the soother doesn’t tangle so it doesn’t get caught in the claws of your furry friend.
Cats and kittens find comfort in kneading and suckling. Regardless of your cat’s age, you can use a home-made pacifier to help him get through a stressful situation.
What are the Main Features of the Kitten’s Pacifier?
Your main objective is to prevent your kitten from sucking on stuff that might hurt him or can get ruined. Here a few factors to consider while making a pacifier for your kitten.
- The object you choose should be safe. Avoid choosing anything that contains toxic chemicals or colors.
- Choose something that your cat can get attached to or love. A soft toy or a cozy blanket can work very well. We love this microwavable, lavender cat stuffed toy from Amazon.
- The pacifier should be easy to clean. Stay away from objects that have folds which you can’t clean easily.
- Make sure that you can easily fix or replace the pacifier if it gets broken or ruined.
- Pick something that you can easily carry around so the kitten can use it whenever it’s needed.
Why Should You Just Pick a Nipple Pacifier?
Either way is fine. Kittens aren’t too rotten and tend to enjoy whatever toys are available.
I recommend making a kitten pacifier as a fun DIY project. If you’re not crafty (or if your pacifier doesn’t work), then maybe try a nipple one.
You can also use a regular bottle and just leave liquids out.
What if my Kitten Doesn’t Accept the Pacifier?
Your kitten might not fall in love immediately with the pacifier.
Kittens and cats are picky; they don’t necessarily fall in love with something just because you think they will. So, they might need a little bit more time to get used to the pacifier you’ve made.
Here are some ideas to help them get in touch with it.
- Clean the nibble to remove any undesirable scent.
- If your kitten isn’t teething, you can dip the pacifier in a milk replacement. Kittens will love the pacifier if it smells like food.
- Keep the pacifier within reach when your kitten is home alone. Put it in your baby’s favorite spot so he can easily find it when he needs to.
How to Introduce the Pacifier?
Introducing the pacifier probably will help your kitten make the best use of it. Here’s how you get your kitten accustomed to the pacifier.
Make it Smell Like You
After being separated from the mother, you’ll become the cat’s closest creature. You should make sure that the pacifier smells like you so the kitten can feel comfort and safety.
While working on the pacifier, keep the stuffed toy or blanket next to your body. You can even keep this item in your bed while you’re sleeping so that your kitten can pick up your scent.
Keep it Moist
Your kitten will prefer the pacifier if it’s moist and soft. Use water to keep the pacifier wet, and dip it in milk so your kitten can lick it.
The smell and taste of the pacifier upon the first encounter will have a great impact on how your kitten will accept the pacifier later on.
Choose the Right Time
The best time to introduce the pacifier is when the kitten is about to fall asleep. This is when the kitten is more responsive.
The kitten feels calm and needs to suckle on something to soothe him before he falls asleep. You can use the pacifier to do this job.
Make More than One
You can easily make more than one pacifier for your kitten. Make sure to place them in your kitten’s favorite spots so that he gets comfortable.
This will give your kitten the option to choose between different items until he finds its favorite pacifier.
How to Maintain the Pacifier?
The kitten pacifier should be clean and always intact. He is likely to get too excited while sucking on the pacifier, so you should check it regularly.
- Clean the pacifier regularly. Use water and a mild detergent and make sure to rinse it off before the kitten starts to suck on it one more time.
- Use a cotton swab to clean all the folds in the pacifier.
- Disinfect it by boiling if it gets dirty.
- Make sure that the pacifier is always cool and comfortable to touch if it has been boiled before.
- If the pacifier gets perforated make sure that you have it replaced as soon as possible.
Why Do You Need to Make a Kitten Pacifier?
If you don’t want your kitten to be soaking your clothes with spit or suckling on your fingers, you should use a pacifier. There are lots of reasons why your kitten will start to suck on stuff.
You Weaned your Kitten Off Too Early
If the kitten was separated from his mother too early, he will start to suck on things.
Kittens like to suck on stuff because the suckling action keeps them comfortable and makes them feel safe. Your baby furry friends won’t only suckle to get milk, but sucking also helps them feel connected to their mother.
Just like baby humans, kittens will need a pacifier to make them feel less anxious to overcome separation. If the kitten has been moved away from his mother, he’s likely to feel distressed and anxious.
A kitten will be old enough to eat solid food, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s ready to be weaned off. If the kitten was given away, he will need time to adjust until it can feel comfortable to live without its mother.
Even if the mother is present, she might refuse to keep on nursing her child. A pacifier will be a suitable replacement.
Your Kitten Needs More Time
Some cat breeds need more time to adjust to the weaning process. Some Oriental cat breeds will need more time so a pacifier might come in handy.
Ask the vet about what your kitten is going through. He can help suggest actions that can help the kitten go through the weaning process.
Your Kitten is Suffering from Anxiety
Even if the kitten isn’t being weaned off, he might need a pacifier to be able to overcome a stressful situation.
Kittens suffer from stress if a new pet is introduced to the family, if a close person leaves or dies, or if they’re ill for a long time. Some kitten and even adult cats might need something to suckle on so they can feel safe and more comfortable.
A pacifier is a practical option to keep your kitten from chewing on food, shoes, and other things in the house. However, you should have a plan to get rid of it after a while so that your kitten or cat doesn’t depend on it forever.
To Gain Your Kitten’s Trust
Kittens and cats are touchy so they will probably get near you, suck on your clothes or even suck on your fingers and toes as a sign of love and trust. Giving your kitten a pacifier will help build trust and show love.
The kitten will always associate the pacifier with you. It will help them feel more comfortable when they’re moving to a new house or living with a new owner.
If you leave the house for long periods, the pacifier is one of the tools that can help your kitten get accustomed to your lifestyle.
Your Kitten is Teething
Your baby kitten will show the first set of teeth within 2 weeks after it’s born. These milk teeth will be complete when the kitten is almost 6 weeks old.
Just like baby humans, kittens will feel more comfortable if they can chew or nibble on something when they’re teething. It’s better to give your kitten a pacifier or he will start to chew on any soft object he can find in the house.
Some of these soft objects are valuable things that you don’t your furry baby to ruin. Other stuff might be too small and the kitten might accidentally swallow them.
Kittens don’t usually experience sore gums or discomfort when they grow their baby teeth. However, when they’re almost 3 months old, these baby teeth become loose, and they will fall off to show adult teeth.
Here are some signs to know that your baby kitten is teething.
- You might find a tooth on the floor. Make sure that your kitten didn’t suffer from any accidents that lead to a broken or lost tooth.
- If you see blood spots on the toys, then your kitten is probably teething.
- Kittens will start to nibble on different stuff. These include shoes, furniture, toys, toes, and any soft object that they can get to.
- Your kitten might whine or cry. This is due to the pain he’s experiencing while teething.
- You might see that your kitten is drooling because the gums are swollen or tender.
- Your kitten might eat less. Hard food can become a bit uncomfortable if your kitten’s gums are sore.
Helping your Kitten While It’s Teething
As the kitten’s parent, there are a few things that you should do to help it go through this difficult time.
- Cover all the cables, wires, and anything that might harm your kitten if he decides to chew on it.
- Make sure that you put all sharp objects out of reach.
- Avoid using breakable objects. The kitten might accidentally swallow the small pieces.
- Brush the kitten’s teeth regularly. This way you can avoid dental issues that might affect the kitten’s health in the long run. There are various toothbrush kits available online that work really well when it comes to maintaining your kittens dental hygiene.
- Call the vet if you see a double tooth that requires the vet’s intervention.
How to Wean Your Kitten Off the Pacifier
Are you worried that your kitten might get too attached to the pacifier? This is possible.
At some point, you’ll just realize that your kitten is getting too old for the pacifier. It might be affecting the way his teeth are developing.
If it’s time to wean your kitten off the pacifier, you can follow these easy tips.
1. Reduce the Number of Pacifiers
Kittens can react negatively to sudden changes. If you have more than one pacifier, try to reduce their numbers gradually.
Leave one pacifier in your kitten’s favorite spot or bed so he can use it before he sleeps. This will help your kitten get less attached to using pacifiers in general.
2. Keep your Kitten Busy
If you decide to remove the pacifier, you should offer your kitten some alternative activities.
- Make sure that you keep your kitten’s favorite toy nearby. This will soothe and keep your kitten comfortable when you decide to control the use of the pacifier. You can get bundles of kitten toys right on Amazon that will keep your little kitten occupied for hours and not thinking about their pacifier.
- If the kitten feels too stressed or anxious, you can give him a massaging session to soothe his body. This will also help the kitten to fall asleep without suckling on the pacifier.
- When you put the pacifier away, your kitten will be trained to live without it. With time, it will stop depending on the pacifier.
3. Make a Few Adjustments
You might cut the nipple off the pacifier. The kitten might find it less comfortable to use and will probably grow less fond of it.
Conclusion
Making a DIY kitten pacifier can help your kitten go through the most difficult times. A kitten can suffer from anxiety, discomfort or distress and just like a baby human and the pacifier can help him stay calm.
After you learn how to make a kitten pacifier, you should understand that your furry baby won’t use it forever. You should train your kitten to get rid of the pacifier gradually so he can grow into an adult cat.
Products Mentioned in The Post:
- Petstages Cat Pillow
- Relaxivet Cat Calming Diffuser
- Thunderwunders Calming Gel
- Upsky Interactive Ball Toy
- Pawz Plush Blanket
- Hipipet 21 Piece Cat Toy Set
- Arm & Hammer Cat Toothbrush
- Intelex Warmies Microwavable Cat Toy