Why Do Cats Knead And Nurse On Blankets

A sensitive kitten may grow up into a fabric sucking cat because that behavior reminds.

Why do cats knead and nurse on blankets. Blankets provide an excellent medium for your cat to knead on because they are soft and fluffy similar to her mother s belly. Newborn kittens knead their mother s belly as they snuggle close to nurse and the motion is thought to stimulate the flow of milk through her nipples. Why do some kittens nurse on objects. Both kittens and older cats will nurse on objects.

This is commonly called suckling or wool suckling if specifically involving fabrics siamese cats are notorious for this. Nursing is a different story. One rather outdated theory proclaims that cats that knead were separated from or weaned from their mother too early and therefore continue the kittenish behavior into. The pressure from the pressing motion stimulates the flow of mom s milk through her nipples.

This not only provides nourishment but also produces bonding hormones that strengthen bond between kitten and mommy. Like thumb sucking in little children nursing wool is a behavior that provides a sense of comfort and safety. Most cats will knead but nursing behavior is a clue that this cat did not complete the weaning process with proper support. As a result the paws release a unique scent.

A kitten will knead her paws against her mother s stomach when she is nursing. Put a blanket in your lap for your kitty to sit on and see if she kneads it before settling down for a nap. The mother cat s mammae nipples and surrounding hair. Cat suckling can be directed towards humans with cat suckling on fingers or skin or it can be done on fabrics like blankets and towels.

Cat suckling can happen with anything that vaguely resembles the original suckling target. This is where a cat sweats when they start to overheat. Cats often perform this motion on soft surfaces including pillows blankets other animals and even people. The blanket will also protect your lap from those sharp claws she extends as she kneads.

There are a few ways to answer the question why does my cat knead blankets explanations for why cats knead vary but it is without doubt an instinctive trait. The separation could have been even more traumatic. During the process the cat feels entirely contented and relaxed. If your cat kneads its blanket it is marking the item as its own.

In concert with the suckling behaviour cats will often purr and knead as if they are still nursing. Cats knead a soft cuddly blanket as a habit from when they were kittens. For example kittens knead when they are nursing to help stimulate their mother s milk production. This is achieved through the glands found in feline paws.

Feral cousins of our household kittens often knead to make a soft place amongst the vegetation. The purpose of the knead. Often these are cats who were taken from their mother too soon as so often happens when people want to give them away at a tiny cute stage.