Why do cats knead?
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by JohnM in Nature
Many people have wondered why do cats knead and there exist several theories. The most popular theory however, is that it comes from the cats childhood. When a kitten suckles it will actually knead the stomach of it’s mother to make the milk flow more easily. As the kitten grows up the habit of kneading still stays there, and as an adult cat it will also knead. This habit is called milk kneading, and is one explanation why cats knead.
There is also another quite different theory as to why cats are kneading, that is that kneading originated back to the cats wild ancestors who had to tread down grass to make a temporary nest in which they could rest. When the cat kneads it presses downwards with it’s paw and exposes its claws. It closes it’s claws as it lifts the paw and the process takes between one and two seconds. Most cat owners see kneading as a problem, as it can be quite painful for the cat owner if the cat is kneading sitting in the owners lap.
Many cats purr when they are kneading, so this may be an indication that the cat is actually enjoying itself when kneading. This is the main reason why the first theory is the most likely one, and you can read about why do cats purr here.
Popularity: 100%
ilovemycatxxx
Nov 2nd, 2010
my kitten is called LuCkY -and he purrs he kneads and i do not know why he does thoes things :l
ilovemycatxxx
Nov 2nd, 2010
my kitten follows me everywhere:land he will jump on my bed and purr so i let him out and i can just hear him meowing at the dOoRx
ilovemycatxxx
Nov 2nd, 2010
why do cats knead do they have a problem with living with you ……….!:`
Edan
Nov 6th, 2010
Our cat, a beautiful ginger queen called Gracie, starts kneading as soon as I let her jump onto my lap. Many cats we’ve had before did that, and, although kneading can be quite painful, I take it as a kind of copmliment, as in “I feel safe enough to go to sleep in your lap”.
Now, I need someone to fix my punctured intestine though…
Edan
momo
Nov 8th, 2010
my kit kat kneads too
manda
Jan 14th, 2011
many cats knead because they were taken away from their mother too early. it is a comfort to them, especially with fleece.
Molly
Mar 12th, 2011
my cat purrs and kneed AND bites this soft blanket we have. its so cute but why does he bite? I’ve looked up answers but no one ever had one…. if you could be of any help that would be awesome!!!
Catherine
May 8th, 2011
my cat is kneading right now he has been doing it for like 10 min….
TERENCE ROOKE
Sep 15th, 2011
I believe that cats need due to childhood suckling.if you look at a kitten suckling its using its paws to knead mother perhaps to help milk flow freely.maybe this memory is carried into adulthood.my cat purrs while kneading this suggests a happy cat.i think the cat enjoys kneading as its a hark back to its time with mommy.
catwoman
Nov 3rd, 2011
My cats knead and one gently nips me whilst doing so, i just see it as a sign of affection!
martin
Nov 20th, 2011
Yes…Our Dusty does the same but only to one member of the family…who has never scolded her…
Daniel
Nov 22nd, 2011
My cat kneads when I lie down. I’ve tried to make him do it on my back, but nope, he always go for the belly.
Anna
Dec 11th, 2011
Cats and kittens knead because they are “lovin” you. This is how they show affection and pleasure of being with something comfortable to them.
Erin
Dec 20th, 2011
One of my cat kneads, she does this when I pet her and she cuddles, but she does it in mid air ( looks like she is trying to swim) she also does it on blankets before she lays down so both theories make sense!
what
Dec 29th, 2011
‘catwoman, try considering that the one that ‘gently nips (you) whilst doing so’ – kneading – to be a signal to leave it alone and not as you interpret it, ‘a sign of affection’!