What Are the Treatments for a Nursing Cat's Sore Nipples?

There's no picture quite as motherly in nature's world than a mother cat whose body is curled around her nursing kittens. In most cases, this scene remains picture-perfect, as the kittens gain nourishment from their mother. But in some instances, the mother cat can develop ailments reducing her milk flow or causing intolerable pain in her nipples. As most kittens tend to select one teat as their favorite and won't nurse elsewhere, it is a cause for alarm when one of mama kitty's nipples become incapacitated.

Mastitis

Any lactating mammal, a cat included, can develop the painful ailment called mastitis. Its cause is a retention of milk in the breast, making it turn to a cottage-cheeselike substance instead of free-flowing milk. This occurs either because the mother cat is producing more milk than the kitten is drinking or because of a deformity in the teat itself that does not allow the milk to escape. Signs of mastitis include red and swollen teats that can appear to be bruised. The teats are overly hot to the touch. It is possible to manually "milk" the mastitis infection out of the cat's teat. However, unless you have prior experience or have been taught by a veterinarian, it is best to seek professional advice for a first encounter with mastitis. Placing hot compresses on the teat can alleviate symptoms. In many cases, however, antibiotics are necessary to clear the infection.

Nail Scratches

The nails of kittens develop very quickly and become razor sharp within the first week of life. They are getting ready to scratch just like their mother. They naturally dig their claws into their mother as they nurse; in most cases they miss the teat but hit her belly instead. In some cases, though, a kitten can scratch his or her mother's teat, causing tearing and bleeding of this sensitive tissue. Apply standard feline first aid methods of cleaning the wound with hydrogen peroxide and a nontoxic antibiotic cream. Trim kittens' nails once a week to reduce the chances of nail scratches.

Bites

Kittens get their baby teeth between the third and fourth week of life. By this time, they are efficient nursers, grasping firmly on to their mother's teat and sucking with all their strength. Teeth become problematic for the nursing mother cat, as kitten teeth are tiny but needlelike; they easily pierce the tender flesh of the teat. It is important that the cat's owner inspect the mother cat's teats several times a day to look for any damage done by her kittens. Again, basic feline first aid techniques apply. When the kittens have developed teeth, it is time to introduce soft foods to the kittens in an effort to wean them and give the mother cat a break.

Abrasions

All felines have rough tongues. The tongues of young kittens are no exception. Having a cat lick your human hand is similar to rubbing medium-grit sandpaper on your skin. As kittens use their tongues in nursing, the nipples of the mother cat can get roughened up. Your veterinarian can recommend a soothing ointment to relieve the mother's discomfort that is not toxic to the cat and will also not repel the kitten from nursing.