She is 4 years old, we adopted her from a litter. When she was 2 she stole my dogs old bed and started making a circular kneeding motion around the bed like how a pizza maker would spread out the dough. We got rid of that bed as it got yicky and about three months ago she stole one of the couch cushions and started to kneed that. She gets a dazed look in her eyes. Then after about 5 minutes of kneeding she will lay down on or next to the pillow and go to sleep. Why does she do this and is she aware of how stupid she looks?
2006-08-12 10:28:58 · 26 answers · asked by Julie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She doesn't care how stupid you think she looks: she's a cat, and you're a human and therefore beneath her.
Anyway, she does it because it reminds her of her mother on some instinctual level. Cats knead their mother's teats as kittens in order to encourage milk flow. So what she's doing here is repeating the behavior. She's very comfortable with that pillow, I'll tell you that.
2006-08-12 10:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some cats never get over that good feeling they had when they nursed on their momma cat. They will sometimes continue to "play" nurse as it brings them great comfort. Some will do it with a pillow, a cushion, a pet bed, a piece of cloth or even underwear.
2006-08-12 19:19:47 · answer #2 · answered by Sister Cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cats do this all the time. Its showing signs of happiness, and showing that she is very content. When she gets on that cushion, she knows thats where she wants to be. My cat often kneeds my soft bed before she lays on it, its almost like its her way of showing her happiness!
2006-08-12 20:13:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the way a cat comforts itself. It is reminiscent of when they kneeded their mom to start her milk flow. Nothing wrong with it. My cat used to kneed on me before going to sleep. Very sweet!
2006-08-12 17:32:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats feel a need to paw things they get a comfort from using their claws even if they are declawed. That's why after a few minutes your cat falls a sleep.
2006-08-12 17:39:54 · answer #5 · answered by chrisbo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I already voted for a best answer.
Cats are very open in expressing their feelings and taking care of their needs. They are not self-conscious and pretentious like many people.
You know those darlings that have such endearing spots on their faces. We would be very unhappy if we traveled through life with those markings.
2006-08-12 17:47:42 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats do this. All cats do this it is from when they where babies and nursing they did the same thing with there paws to get milk out from there Mothers .All cats continue to do this this is a sign they are happy and safe,so it is a natural thing for your cat to be doing this
2006-08-12 17:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by pycosal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hehe. This is instincual behavor. Kittens do this to their mothers tummy to get milk. Cats continue to kneed things when they are older because it is comforting to them.
2006-08-12 17:31:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats need to "kneed". It is a form of exercise and pleasure. My cat has an old blanket and she "kneeds" the blanket and then goes to sleep on it.
2006-08-12 17:33:48 · answer #9 · answered by goodbye 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because kittens knead their mothers stomach when they nurse to stimulate the let-down of milk. It's probably a comfort thing, like thumb-sucking. =)
2006-08-12 17:35:00 · answer #10 · answered by Carpet Shark Luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋