Why do cats press their paws on soft things?

Question

My cat has a habit of padding her paws on my belly while arching her back. I know most cats do this but dont know why!

Answer 1

This is the action they do to their mother's stomach when they are kittens. It stimulates the mother to produce milk for them. So really, your cat is saying she thinks of you as her 'mother' and provider when she is doing this.

When she was a kitten, this gesture would have been associated with comfort and homeliness, and it's the same feelings she's getting now. It's a sign of affection and means your cat is really attached to you (or to the cushion!) because it reminds her of being with her mother as a kitten. Her mother's belly was soft, and so is your lap/cushion/blanket.

A lovely gesture, but it ruins your clothes and upholstery!

Answer 2

It's kneading, it's a throwback to when they were a kitten and trying to nurse from their mother. I believe it helps stimulate the milk production. At least, that's what I was always told anyway. I have a kitten that does it on my head/hair and neck everytime I lay down to go to sleep....was cute at first, now it's really annoying, and painful lol. My daughter says I look like the Heat Miser when I wake up and my hair's all knotted and sticking up. Another one of cat's does it as well, but he usually sticks to blankets and pillows-soft stuff. Both of mine are males that do it, my female cats don't. Not sure if it's sex related or not.....

Answer 3

will every shut up about it being kittens that left there mum too young!!!!

My friend has 2 cats and they are mother and son, and the younger one STILL does it!

Its because they "knead" on there mothers bellys to get the milk out, so they do it as a comfort thing, its just a habit.

My kitten was the sweetest.....we had this massive cushion that had a catch in it....a bit of the fabric was sticking out, and she used to knead it and suck on the thread!!!

Answer 4

When cats press there paws on things it is called kneading.
They do this when they feel happy and safe.

Answer 5

I think it's cute! My cat used to do this a lot with furry cushions and purred at the same time. I used to think there was a drug hidden in it or something! I've heard it's a mother-kitten instinct thing.

Answer 6

When kittens feed from their mum, they press their front paws alternately on her tum so that she will make milk available to them. When older, they use this action when they are happy and relaxed, and trusting you, in the same way that they would be if feeding. Its rather sweet, and denotes great happiness.

Answer 7

When kittens are taken from their mothers to early they skip the part of going of the nipple, so the cats grow big comferting themselfs thinking they can still drink on their mummys

Answer 8

Many people believe that they do it because it reminds them when they use to nurse on there mommies. But i also heard on tv that they do it because of their ancestors that use to live in the wild and they has to crush vegetation up with their paws to make it soft to lay on. But i still think its ther first one i mentioned!

Answer 9

its a comfort thing, they did it when they nursed and as they get older its a normal thing.....i have a 5 yr old tom cat, runs out all day but at night he's as gentle as ever,gets up in bed with us and does that to either myself or hubby and after about 5 minutes or so he then just lays down and goes to sleep, purring like a lamb.

Answer 10

my cat does it too and it hurts like hell as they put their claws out whilst doing it apparently they do it because its a sign of contentment something they learned from a newborn when they did it to their moms to encourage the milk to flow no i,m not saying thats what there trying to do to you lol but its the same sort of thing comfort