Preventing wool sucking behaviour requires early identification of risk factors and environmental management to address the underlying cause.
Wool sucking indicates unmet oral stimulation needs and stress rather than a simple bad habit. Prevention addresses the conditions that create the behaviour - adequate weaning age, enriched environments, and appropriate social stimulation. For kittens from predisposed breeds, early environmental enrichment and ensuring weaning is not premature reduces the probability of developing this welfare-indicating behaviour.