why do cats claw at you while you are petting them?

Question

everytime I pet my cat or when he jumps up on my lap he starts that clawing. He's not trying to be mean. I've seen 100 other cats do this too and i've never understood why they do it.

Answer 1

They call it"making biscuits," it is a habit they are born with. When nursing their mother they use their paws to push on her breast while nursing

Answer 2

That is how they play. They do not realize that they have (sharp, hurting) claws. OR DO THEY??? because at other times when they use their claws, they are climbing and/or fighting.
Oh well, that is why I have always had dogs as pets because you can pet them, put your finger in their mouth and they will pretend to bite, because they know that they have sharp teeth. :)

Answer 3

They kind of unsheath their claws and scratch. Usualy when they do that you know for a fact your cat is enjoying where you are petting them. My kitten does that when im petting her behind the ears.

Answer 4

It's called "making biscuits" because of the kneading motion as if they are making bread.

Your cat does that because it's contented. It's the same motion a kitten makes on it's mother's stomach when it's nursing to stimulate milk flow. Your cat is saying it sees you as it's mother and it trusts you.

Answer 5

It's a comfort behavior that cats remember from when they are babies. Nursing kittens use similar paw movements to stimulate milk flow from their mommas. Either way when they do it, they're happy kitties.

Answer 6

Do you mean kneading with their paws? I think it goes back to the time when they were nursing and did this against their mothers. I find it cute (my cats keep their claws pretty much sheathed when they do this...luckily).

Answer 7

The are not clawing they are kneading. It's instinctual self pleasing action, like you said they don't do it to be mean.

Answer 8

it's kneading, it's an honer to if your cat does it, they usually purr too, they do it while nursing to their mother.

if the claws hurt you clip them, is the cat young? it'll be easier to do if it is, let the vet show you how to do it so you won't hurt it.

Answer 9

for this it just means their content...its like purrin...its not clawing its just like a stretching motion...my cat does the same thing

Answer 10

it's because they're kneeding. they do this with their mothers when they are feeding as kittens. it's a comfort and a sign of affection from them. they're just happy.