Pekingese Nurses Abandoned Kitten

Mittens, a 4-year-old Pekingese who lives in Jordan, Minn., has pawmazing maternal instincts.

In fact, the little pooch has started producing milk to nurse Bootsie, an abandoned kitten who’s become her BFF (best feline friend).

Pat Weber, the unlikely duo’s pet parent, told the Minnesota Star Tribune the kitten was just a couple days old, only 2 inches long and “ice cold” when her grandson discovered her in a barn on the family’s property. She had apparently been abandoned by her mother.

At first they thought the kitten was dead, but when Weber wrapped her in a blanket, she started meowing. Mittens heard her and became curious as a … well, cat.

The Pekingese nuzzled and licked Bootsie, and the tiny kitten – whose eyes had not yet opened – began suckling. Within three days, Mittens, who had a litter of her own two years ago, started producing milk.

“She decided that little kitten needed a mother,” Weber told the Star Tribune. “And as far as the kitten is concerned, this is her mother. Yes, this is her mother, every chance she gets she nurses on her and Mittens watches her, cleans her.”

About 60 percent of female dogs who have not been spayed experience a phenomenon called false (or phantom) pregnancy, where they may mother inanimate objects and even start producing milk.

“Hormones will do strange things – that’s about all the vet said,” Weber told the Star Tribune.

Veterinarian John King, executive director of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, told the Star Tribune, “There’s a strong maternal instinct in many animals, and they will foster other species. It depends on the temperament of the individual animals, both the baby and particularly the mother.”

You can watch Mittens work her maternal magic in this video posted on 7online.com.

PHOTO: Fake Plastic Alice

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.