home <<< 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 happily 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.
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