Have you ever noticed your cat do this back and forth motion thing with its paws and claws just before it lays down in a spot on your bed or couch? Sometimes maybe you’ve had a friend or family member say their cat was “making cookies” or “kneading pizza dough” or even “building a sand castle”. This is called “kneading” and it’s a very common habit in most felines, even big cats in the wild.
Reasons Why Cat Kneading Happens
Scientists who have studied feline behavior for decades call this unique paw action “kneading” and believe it is a true sign of cat relaxation. Most likely your own cat kneads before taking a catnap nearby, and when they do, they breathe very heavily, almost like snorting, possibly even becoming so relaxed that they will drool sometimes.
One theory is the behavior of “knitting” or “kneading” began with wild cats building dens with leaves and grass for nests, giving birth, resting, and then hunting late in the evening. As kittens, they would play in the grassy areas looking for their mothers. The instinctive nature of giving a gentle nuzzle while grooming could have been passed down from the totems of the wild, where cats used to knead blocks, pieces of wood, or other objects — it was a comfort to the kittens as they grew up. This, of course, carried over into domestic cats who love to scratch blocks of wood, stone, posts and other objects, as well as fur coats.
Cats Kneading Gives A Sense Of Security
Kneading usually occurs near the person they like a lot. If you have newborn kittens by your side, you will see them begin to knead soon after birth. A kitten kneads his mother’s belly to tell her he was hungry and ready to drink. Simultaneously, the little guy may generally murmurs, which is a sound made by quick vibrations of certain throat muscles. Murmuring is a sign of him feeling very comfortable and at home. Utilizing these two practices, cats are asking their mothers to stay still so they can keep nursing. Youthful little cats typically nod off while nursing.
Like kittens, some older cats also want to be secure and so they rub up on things like biscuits or catnip toys. The reason why a kitten would want to do this is because it’s looking for safety and security. The reasons why kittens knead on something are less important than the cats’ own motivation. A kitten does not have the capability to decide what is important to him or her and, as a rule, he or she only cares about the things that are familiar to them.
Therefore, the instinctive reason for cats to knead on blankets and other familiar items is secondary. It serves to please an animal whose natural instinct is to establish territories. Little cats quit drinking their mom’s milk by around two months old, so for what reason do felines keep on kneading even as grown-ups? The reason may be interesting to find out.
Kneading is by all accounts more normal in certain felines than others. On the off chance that your feline doesn’t knead, it could mean he is somewhat focused on something else, or it could simply be that your feline doesn’t show that normal sense of unwinding easily. After all, all cats are different!
Cat Kneading Is Territorial
However, numerous felines do keep kneading into adulthood. It’s quite typical to expect a feline to knead when they are in a quiet, content mood and are preparing to settle down. You may definitely realize that when your feline hits, or butts his head and rubs his cheek, head and body against your leg or an article close to you, he is placing his aroma in these areas. Felines likewise have aroma organs between their toes, provoking a few groups of cat researchers to propose that felines are additionally putting a natural, ameliorating fragrance on their dozing region when they ply that cozy, comfy spot.
Felines and individuals have additionally lived respectively for millennia – and people have liked their stunning regular mousing abilities. As of late have individuals attempted to raise felines, however generally for their appearance, not for explicit practices. The outcome is that felines are somewhat more inconspicuous than canines in their methods of telling an individual, “I like you.” Kneading is one of those pieces of information.