Watch the cute cat kneading behavior video below for a textbook example of this activity. For many pets it seems to begin a transition from an active period to settling down state of mind. When your cat jumps on a soft area and plans to make themselves comfortable, this is a common time to see this type of behavior.
Before settling down, it’s likely they will begin to knead the area with a slow rhythmic pushing of the paws. This is often accompanied by the spreading open then closing of the front paws, fingers or toes. The complex kneading movement in some parts of the world is called paddling and purring.
In my house this hypnotic rhythm is called making bread. We use the term, because it seems like the kitty is a baker in a semi trance kneading dough preparing it for the oven. This behavior is often accompanied by soft purring. This is also a sign that your cat is about to settle down for a while.
What Cat Kneading Means
This procedure is actually a reminder of kitten hood. From the age of three weeks until weaning kittens spend a lot of their time kneading and purring around their mothers milk supplying nipples.
Kittens are fast learners when it comes to fun and food. They learn quickly the movement of their paws on either side of the mom cats nipple stimulates or increases the milk flow coming their way. More is good and a life long lesson is learned.
A soft and warm or comfortable area, whether it be our laps or the favorite cushion on the couch seems to bring out this kittenish behavior in cats. Although the above is the most common reason that you’ll notice this kneading behavior there is yet another answer to the why do they do this question.
For the adult females that haven’t been fixed, when they’re going into or approaching heat they might also exhibit this behavior.
It’s like the extra hormones trigger this instinctual paddling and the cat zones out and goes on auto pilot. Of course, like many animal lovers we recommend spaying or neutering cats. However, if you want to test your adult female cat to see if she is currently having or approaching heat here’s how to do it.
Gently stroke or pat her along the back towards the tail. A regular petting motion can also work. If she is in heat then you’ll most likely see her elevate the rump area and get into the mating position.Again this is an instinctive reaction.
Cat Paw Pushing Summed Up
Sometimes If you do the same test to your cat while they are kneading or paddling on a couch cushion or on your lap, you might elicit a similar response. A female approaching heat will be very friendly and rub around with her head and neck where many of the sent glands are located.
This paddling or kneading cat behavior towards us can be viewed as part juvenile or part sexual. But in either case it clearly means affection for their human owners and happiness with their surrounding environment. A feline that is unhappy or under stress will not perform this paw pushing activity.
So consider it a compliment to you for providing a healthy well balanced environment and a very happy home for your feline friends. Share this feline website and the cute video below with a friend or give it a bookmark. Come back for cat kneading updates and new videos.
Kitten Kneading Behavior Video
People love posting images of their kitties. You can visit flickr from this next link to see more cute pictures and images of cat behavior kneading. Cats can perform some strange activities as a part of there daily routine. This next link takes you back to the main feline behavior page that discusses several. view more articles and story’s about your cats behavior.
The homepage will tell you more about us and this feline website. If your curious about why we love cats to the point of building a site about it follow the bread crumbs back to the homepage and get answers these question and more.
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