My 12 week old male tiger suddenly began doing that kneading thing when he's getting ready to sleep. He is very healthy, and is regular. He plays hard and is just a great cat. He is an indoor cat, too. But this kneading motion with the front paws is new; he didn't do his as a tiny kitten. What does this mean?
2006-10-28 06:20:39 · 12 answers · asked by The Mystic One 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
This is a typical action. It goes back to the times when cats were wild and kneaded a place to sleep, making the ground, leaves, or whatever as soft as possible for them to rest in. It makes it more comfy to lay in - even if it is just a soft bed or pillow, or lap, anyway! Young kittens also knead their mothers to make the milk flow more freely when they are suckling.
2006-10-28 06:34:36 · answer #1 · answered by charlie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The kneading is a throwback to when your cat would knead on its mother's abdomen to stimulate the flow of milk. Some cats drool when they do this. Some people think that keeping a cat as a domestic pet causing them to be frozen in a kitten-like state into their adult years. Its normal for a cat to knead. It comforts and calms them, like nursing did when they were kittens.
2006-10-28 14:37:16 · answer #2 · answered by Carole 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He may have done it without you seeing! It's from the motion they make when they are nursing from their mom. They start doing it after they are weaned when they are happy and want to comfort themselves, usually before getting comfy to sleep. They usually purr at the same time. There's nothing like being in bed, lying on your tummy, and this big old cat comes on up and kneads on your sore back! Ahhh....
2006-10-28 15:24:21 · answer #3 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kneading is good. It calms the cat down, and with my cats, makes them happier and they purr more. Don't be worried kneading is good, your cat could be showing that he trusts you and loves you.
2006-10-28 15:25:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's weird that he didn't knead before. Most cats always knead.
2006-10-28 15:31:30 · answer #5 · answered by Chris J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal activity but no idea why he JUST starting doing it at 12.. Maybe something changed in your household and he is feeling like he wants some extra comfort.
My cat Bienvenu that just died at 19- he would do that on my stomach when I was home sick- not sure why he only did it when I wasn't well.
Cats are very tuned in to us- maybe you will somehow be able to tune in to him too on this one?... best of luck...
2006-10-28 14:17:08 · answer #6 · answered by nicknock54 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
THEY WILL KNEAD BECAUSE THEY ARE CONTENT AND GETTING READY TO GO TO SLEEP EVER NOTICE HOW THEY ARE PURRING AS THEY DRINK FROM THEIR MOTHER. ALSO IF THEY DO SUCK ON THE BLANKET IT IS ALSO BECAUSE THEY WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR MOTHER TOO YOUNG. MY CAT IS TWELVE NEXT MONTH AND SHE STILL DOES IT.
2006-10-28 13:59:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I call it happy feet. my cat does this to all my sweaters that I leave on my bed and suckles them. he's 11 years old, I don't think he'll ever out grow this
2006-10-28 15:23:21 · answer #8 · answered by sm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALL CATS DO THAT. THERE'S AN OLD SAYING THAT CATS STARTED DOING THIS AT THE BEGINING OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THERE WEREN'T ANY SNAKES IN THEIR BEDS.
2006-10-28 13:49:14 · answer #9 · answered by Isis Is: HOPEFULL HOUNDS RESCUE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
kittens do this to keep the mama's milk going. most cats do it their whole life.
2006-10-28 13:25:17 · answer #10 · answered by J~ME 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋