Why Do Cats Knead So Much

Many cats carry this behavior into adulthood and may knead their owners other furry siblings or bedding but why do kittens knead on their mothers while nursing.

Why do cats knead so much. They do it with your jeans. However if they are immediately ready to mate they will not knead their paws and will instead raise their pelvis with the tail to one side. It s pretty genius actually kittens are trying to get more milk out so they massage their mama s teats in order to help the lactation process along. Do cats only knead people.

Kittens knead with their claws retracted because their moms wouldn t allow it any other way. Their ancestors did this with tall grass or leaves. Female cats have an additional reason for kneading. Before we answer why do cats knead let s look at how they knead.

Cats will sometimes knead on soft surfaces like blankets or their preferred napping location to get into a comfortable position. Here are just a few of the best guesses. Whatever the precise reason for kneading one thing is for sure. You can train your kitty to knead with claws retracted too by gently tossing him off your lap when he uses his claws and praising him when he kneads gently without using his claws.

So what makes cats knead. Old habits kittens knead before suckling so the act may simply be reminiscent of soothing behavior from kittenhood. Unfortunately there s no real answer. They may purr stretch and knead the air while lying on their side to tell male cats that they can approach for possible mating.

This can involve claws. Going back to kittenhood. Scenting with scent glands in their paws it s possible cats are claiming a space. Kneading is sometimes colloquially referred to as making biscuits because the motion resembles a baker kneading dough.

During nursing a kitten will knead the area around its mother s teat to promote the flow of milk. Preparing a space though it may not be a real need for a house cat they may still feel compelled to pat down a space to lay on like their relatives living in the wild do. A kneady cat is a happy cat. Sometimes it hurts.

One reason cats knead is to make a soft bed or clear a space to doze. If your cat begins kneading obsessively it may be a sign that something with her is amiss in which case you should contact your veterinarian. Animal behaviorists however do have a few theories of why cats love to do this. Kneading is a sweet behavior to watch but it can be painful if your cat is in the habit of kneading with its claws bared.

The most oft repeated explanation states that kneading is a leftover behavior from kittenhood.