logo for cats-and-facts.com
Home
Cat illness symptoms
How long do cats live?
Why do cats knead?
Litter box problems
No fleas please
Carriers for pets
Why do cats hiss?
Ways to ID your pet
Collars and ID tags
Cat acne
Cats and hairballs
Quotes about cats
Why cats bite
Moving with cats
Don't declaw your  cat
About the author
About Site Build It
Contact us
Privacy policy
Terms of use
LEFT for cats-and-facts.com



Why do cats knead?


When your cat kneads you with its paws ... it is reliving happy kittenhood memories.

Newborns and very young kittens use the kneading motion when nursing at their mother's side. This massaging movement has a purpose - it encourages the mother's milk to flow quickly to the kittens.

This cat behavior is an expression of pure contentment. When your grown up cat is kneading it is once again a baby cat under the protective, loving care of its nursing mother.

Although you have no fur or tail, you do care for and feed your cat, your lap is warm ... and for the moment, you'll do nicely as a much loved, substitute mother cat.

Cats usually purr when they knead. If your cat is drooling his mouth is simply watering, as it did as a kitten when hungry and ready to nurse ... and just as we sometimes do, when we smell a good meal cooking.

A prickly problem does arise if your cat chooses to knead on you. Although unintentional on your cat's part, it hurts when a cat is digging its claws into your legs. Extending the claws seems to occur naturally when kneading. I have noticed one of my cats make an effort to keep his claws tucked into his paws ... without much success.

Your cat means you no harm, but rather is paying you the highest of compliments by allowing you to be the soft spot where it kneads its paws. You can protect yourself by simply putting a pillow or thick blanket between you and your cat.

That way you'll both be happy cats.

__________________________________

Why do cats knead ... back to ... home

 

Copyright © 2007-2010 cats-and-facts.com. All rights reserved.

SBI