Why Do Cats Knead?
“If
you’re lucky enough to have a kitten or a cat in your life, you’ve no doubt
bore witness to an interesting kitty trait known as ‘kneading’, which looks as
though your cat is practising her technique to bake bread…she rhythmically
alternates her paws, pushing in & out against your lap & giving you a
massage…
Expressing affection
When is
your cat most likely to knead? It’s probably when you’re petting her, she’s
purring loudly & maybe even drooling a little bit. It’s obvious that she’s
very content in this situation, & feeling the affection. So, kneading might
be her way of helping you feel her affection as well.
Unfortunately,
her way of showing affection may be more painful than pleasant for you. This is
especially true if she is feeling very, very happy. This is because the better
she feels, the harder she’s likely to knead – & if her nails are long,
you’ll know it…
Getting ready for bed
Another
kneading theory traces its roots to our domestic cats’ wild ancestors, who
would knead grass to create a soft sleeping spot…if your cat is kneading your
lap, sit back & relax because she’s likely preparing for a nap.
Kittenhood comforts
A third
theory looks to your cat’s infancy. Cats start to knead instinctively as
kittens, when they are nursing, to help stimulate their mother’s milk. While
your cat might have outgrown the nursing stage, she might still enjoy that
comforting feeling she associates with kneading.
Staking a claim
Kneading
might also be your cat’s way of ‘claiming’ you. In other words, you’re not just
being kneaded, you’re being marked by the scent glands on the soft pads on the
bottoms of their paws…think of it as her showing that she cares enough about
you to let the feline world to keep their paws off you.
Staying loose & limber
Finally,
a kneading cat might just be a stretching cat. With so many naps filling her
day, your cat needs to take a break now & then to stay limber, at least until
her next scheduled snooze.
While
many theories exist, there is no straightforward answer as to why cats knead.
We hope that these kinds of mysteries will make you love your cat even more.
Sometimes the best things are hard to explain."
Purina.ca
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