How do kittens avoid squabbling when feeding
from the mother?
Within a few days of birth each kitten has
developed an attachment to its own personal nipple, which it
recognizes with ease. Amazing as it may sound, this is possible
because each nipple has a special smell.
We know this because if the belly region of
the mother cat is washed by her human owner, so that it is cleansed
of its natural fragrance, the kittens fail to find their favourite
nipples. Instead of peacefully taking up their usual stations, they
become disorientated. Confusion reigns and squabbling occurs.
It is remarkable to think that in the
'simple' world of the very young kitten there is odour detection
based on differences so subtle that they can label each nipple as
clearly as name-cards on school lockers, and that in this way
orderly sharing can be maintained at feeding time.