Dog Surprises Owner By Nursing Newly Adopted Kitten

Veterinarians later weighed in, explaining that while the behavior is not common, it is certainly possible. Dr. Ambika Vaid told Newsweek that false pregnancies can sometimes stimulate milk production and trigger strong maternal instincts, even in dogs that have never given birth. This can lead them to accept and nurture other animals as though they were their own offspring. Dr. Emma Choi added that many mammals practice “allonursing,” the act of nursing young that are not biologically theirs. While this usually happens within the same species, there are documented cases of cross-species nursing, including dogs raising kittens and cats caring for puppies.

Redditors were quick to respond, many sharing their own experiences of animals adopting babies from different species. One user commented that their cat had once adopted and raised a puppy, nursing him until he reached adulthood. Another pointed out that the kitten might have been separated from its mother too early, making the dog’s care and attention an important source of comfort.

The post, titled “My dog is nursing my kitten is this normal???”, has since gained more than 36,000 upvotes and over 1,300 comments. Many praised the dog’s gentle and nurturing instincts, joking that she had simply decided to step into the role of “mom.” Others marveled at the reminder of how powerful maternal instincts can be, regardless of species.

Though rare, the phenomenon highlights the capacity of animals to show compassion and form deep emotional bonds beyond their own kind. For this kitten, the dog’s unexpected willingness to act as a surrogate mother may provide the comfort and security it needs to thrive during its early weeks of life.