2007-03-31 05:38:33 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
It reminds her of her mother when she was a kitten. When a kitten suckles, it will knead its mother's stomach with its tiny paws to stimulate the milk flow. This "milk-kneading" (as it is called) is done at a slow pace. And the little kitten purrs loudly while kneading.
What appears to happen when we sit down is that we look relaxed to our cat, signaling to it to hop up and start the milk-kneading activity. Our cat reverts to kittenhood and happily starts kneading.
2007-03-31 05:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is called kneading, or milking. It is a comforting action which cats use to relax themselves. Some research has been done to suggest that it brings them back to kittenhood when they were nursing from their mothers.
In some cats, if it is a constant occurrence, it can mean that they were taken away from their mothers too early and did not nurse from her long enough.
One of my friends had a cat who was orphaned at birth as his mom had distemper, and he was constantly kneading and would actually take fabric such as a blanket into his mouth and "suckle" on it. She had to keep a special blanket for him for this purpose, so he would'nt be getting up on the beds and doing so.
I have owned (I really think they own us...ha,ha) cats who were rescue animals and had been taken out of abusive situations who have exhibited this behavior once they have become comfortable in my household.
Have a good day.
2007-03-31 05:48:36 · answer #2 · answered by Sue F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen a cat march in place. But if you are asking why do cats knead, well, it's sort of a throw back to when they were a kitten and they were being nursed by their mother. It sort of gives them a feeling of security. Nobody has ever figured out why they do it, but most cats do. Well, nobody has ever figured out why cats do most of what they do, that's why they are cats and we love them.
2007-03-31 18:49:32 · answer #3 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Front legs marching; she or he is following the instinct for getting more milk from the mother cat, by kneading her cat-breasts. They use it for affection when they are older.
HOWEVER, if the cat is marching with it's back legs, then it's in heat, hahaha.
Sorry for laughing. It's how I found out my first cat was female.
2007-03-31 05:44:12 · answer #4 · answered by twisted_rosary 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have always heard that it is from them being taken away from their mother too soon. It is the same motions they make on their mother's tummy when they are nursing. I have a 7 year old cat and she still does it I don't think they ever grow out of it. I have another cat who never does it.
2007-03-31 06:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by Dani 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family called that 'making biscuits'. It is instinctive and learned when they are kittens, because that is how they get the milk out of their mother. They never lose this habit and when they are older, they do it when they are happy and usually purr at the same time.
2007-03-31 05:55:05 · answer #6 · answered by xicanaocelotl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is an instinct that they are born with. when they knead their mother, it signals her body to produce milk. they never lose this instinct and do it when they really like someone.
2007-03-31 05:42:30 · answer #7 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a behavior they learned as kittens when they were nursing, and the motion is associated with a good feeling.
2007-03-31 05:42:10 · answer #8 · answered by Stuart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i believe it is to soften up their bedding. which means its a good thing for your cat to sleep on your back, its a free massage!
2007-03-31 05:42:35 · answer #9 · answered by gryphen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it means their content, and their about to lay down in that place, and their getting it ready- it`s sweet
2007-03-31 05:41:50 · answer #10 · answered by I♥pix 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋