2007-02-03 09:54:18 · 20 answers · asked by sopcamlep 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Why does a cat "knead" or "make biscuits"?
When a kitten is nursing, it typically kneads its paws against its mother, either as a sign of contentment or to encourage the milk flow. When the cat matures, it kneads to show its contentment and pleasure.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~wue/Behaviour.html
2007-02-03 09:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
kneading comes from pawing of the ground and moving grasses around to make a bed in the wild. many times you'll see a cat do this to an area and then not even lay down there. its a way for them to show that they are content and comfortable in their surroundings. Also means they are ready for bed and if they do it to the owner, they are wanting to take a nap on or with the owner.
My cats will knead on me just to tell me its time for bed and once I get in then they will come up to snuggle. No different than a 3 yr old little girl coming up and pulling on dad's shirt saying...come tuck me in and stay with me till I fall asleep.
2007-02-03 10:11:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a comforting motion for the cats and a show of trust and love to the owner. It goes back to when it was a kitten and nursing from it's mother, it would knead around the teat it was nursing at.
2007-02-03 10:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by herzoo64 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They knead their owners because they remember when they were just kittens. When they were kittens they would knead the Mom cat to tell her they are hungry and then the cat would feed her. They do it because they remember.
2007-02-03 10:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Meg* 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because their owners are made of dough? Is this a half baked idea? Are the cats well bread? Why do bakers knead their dough?
2007-02-03 09:58:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's some kind of nesting ritual. They'll knead a balled up blanket, or pillow, before they lie down on it, and they do the same thing to people...sometimes.
2007-02-03 09:57:26 · answer #6 · answered by Chef 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it relaxes them. When a cat kneads you, you then know that they trust you fully, and love you. They just dont knead everyone, just the ones they love.
2007-02-03 10:11:49 · answer #7 · answered by moterkat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They did it to breast feed as kittens, and it is their instinct to show you affection. I like the word knead! I want somebody who kneads me. Not too hard and not too softly, but a gentle massaging loving touch......and no, I'm not being nasty. Get the balance right!
2007-02-03 10:10:19 · answer #8 · answered by droopy 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have ever noticed, a kittne kneads the mother's stomach as it is nursing. It encourages the milk to come out. They do this to a person, or blanket, etc because it is comforting to them.
2007-02-03 09:58:12 · answer #9 · answered by beachgirl28457 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a cat that kneads me at ~5:30 a.m. every morning (I call her Dom for Domino, more likely dominatrix), and she is my alarm clock pretty much. I usually associate it with letting me know its time to get up and feed her (which is what I do). It is TRUE, CATS RULE, Dogs drool.
2015-10-17 10:03:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anna W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋