Why do cats knead?

Question

We recently put out a new pillow and one of my cats obsessively kneads on it. Some times he will actually lay down but most of the time he just sits there and kneads for a long time.

Answer 1

Cats knead because its a comfort thing for them. they knead their mothers tummy while suckling to help milk flow so even through adulthood they see it as a comfort thing and it reminds them of there mothers. they tend to do it most before lying down on a person or something else soft. it can be annoying and can hurt a tiny bit if the cats padding on you, but dont discourage it. after all, how would you feel if every time you tried to get comfortable, remembered your mom, or displayed a comforting habit. even if the kitty doesnt lie down and just kneads for a while, it probably just needs some comforting or a reminder of its days as a little kitten with its mom. my cat sometimes kneads on a pillow and "cries". i guess hes feeling lonely and needs some comfort so when he does this, i pick him up and cuddle him till he falls asleep and for as long as i can afterwards. when a cat kneads on a person, it means they are comfortable with that person and loves them.

Answer 2

Cats that knead beds or any object or even people, cats that suck their tails or their hair, cats that chew incessently, cats that don't bury their after going potty, etc, etc. are usually cats that have been pulled away from their mother too soon. A kitten should stay with its mother for 4 weeks after it is weened or approximately until they are 12 weeks old. The reason for this is because they still need tender loving care that only their mother can give them and they still need lots of training that only their mother can do. If you watch these animal shows about babies born in the wild, you watch the caretakers acting just like their mother would and doing everything that these baby animals would have done for them in the wild if they had their mothers. Kittens are no different. Most states now have laws that you cannot sell a kitten before it is 3 months old unless it's mother has died. Even if the mother has a problem and cannot nurse, then the kits need to stay with their mom (while you bottle feed them) until they are 3 months old. The younger you get your kitten, the more insecure it will be and pawing bedding, chewing, or sucking things, is insecurity. You might try finding an old alarm clock that ticks or some petstores now carry this stuffed ticking dog pillow that sounds like mama's heart beat. One kitty that my daughter took care of (she's with animal rescue) would paw the bed for over an hour if you didn't stop her. Try wrapping them in a fleece blanket and gently rocking them. Some adult cats that were weened too early, actually never get over it. It is a very psychological thing for them to be pulled from mom and to be pulled from mom too early has some bad effects on lots of them. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

nswer
Kneading is a cute behavior to watchdcats flex and extend their paws against a bedspread, the carpet, or a person, usually while stretching and purring. It's a very common behavior for cats, but no one has determined exactly why they do it. All sorts of theories exist. Some say that "kneading" cats were weaned from their mothers too early; some say they were weaned too late.

Most likely it's just a habit some cats develop, like people that bite their nails or crack their knuckles. What theorists do know is that it's a sign that cats are comfortable, happy, and relaxed. So you can take it as a complement: it's your cat's way of saying that he's happy you're around!

Answer 4

Cats knead because when they are on a surface or about to lay down on an area they want to make sure that the area is stable and "ready" for them. It is also a very cute behavior and says that they like where they are!!!

Answer 5

In my experience, it's not just female cats that knead but male cats also. Our male cat is far worse than our female cat and I'm sure he does this as a security thing. Also when our male cat does this he is claiming us as his own. When he has finished kneading, he cuddles me and goes to sleep.

Answer 6

great answers, I call this the "happy cat dance", I have 2 "girls", and when they are really happy they kneed...front paws only lol. I don't believe it has anything to do with nursing, when kittens perhaps, but mine are both older cats and do this everyday after work, when they get all the attention. He smells your scent, and is very happy with that. Pet him, and he will walk away and knead the bed to. This is a sign that he is very content.

Answer 7

Anything soft that a at would love. I had a at that kneaded my tummy and sucked on my shirt. He kneaded just about anything cozy. Lovey cat.

Answer 8

Well, when you watch a kitten nursing from their mother, they knead. It is soothing and comforting to them. They usually do that, then settle down and fall asleep. It is completely normal. I think it's cute. And it feels good if you can get it to do it to your back LOL.

Answer 9

it's an old instinctual behaviour of kittens. they would use their feet to "knead" the mothers nipples, which would cause the milk to flow better.
adult cats just do it as a comforting behaviour.

Answer 10

Hey there its really a simple explination why cats kneed!!!! when there just kittins they dont know how to kneed yet !! when they become older hey are kneeding machines ...... the reason why cats kneed is beacause they feel confortabla where hey are and they feel loved its just a basic sighn that tells you "i love you" or "Im very very conforable" so thats about it im glad i could help see ya