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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 while nursing. This massaging movement has a purpose - it encourages the mother's milk to flow to the kittens.

This cat behavior is an expression of pure contentment.

When your grown up cat is kneading, it is once again a relaxed baby cat.

And 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 you. Extending the claws occurs 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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