Why Do Cats Knead Your Stomach
On occasions cats have also been seen to knead when they are under stress.
Why do cats knead your stomach. A nursing kitten instinctually kneads to help stimulate the mother s milk production. Kittens knead their mothers while feeding to stimulate the flow of milk some cats do this when they re really happy. This is also why some cats dribble when they knead. Cat kneading is hypnotic.
Kittens knead at their mother s tummy when they re hungry and looking for milk. Your cat sees you as her mommy in a way and kneads your stomach because she is very comfortable with you. Of course your cat loves you but kneading is a gesture of love and this theory seems to hold a little weight to it. You might find your cat kneading blankets stuffed animals or other soft objects around the house.
The only time there should be a problem with kneading is when the cat is not being careful with his or her claws. Why your cat kneads this habit begins when cats are young and are dependent on their mother for food. But why do they continue to knead past nursing age. In adulthood a cat supposedly will knead when it s feeling happy or content because it associates.
They expect the milk that would have come from their mum after kneading her stomach. 5 fun reasons for cat kneading. I used to have a cat that would suckle as well. Cats can become so relaxed while kneading that they enter a trancelike.
Kneading can also signal a form of territorial marking. Unspayed female cats often knead just before going into heat as a sign of their eagerness to mate. Kittens knead their mother s stomach to stimulate the flow of milk from the teat into their mouths. Cat kneading is comforting.
A nursing kitten will instinctively knead at their mother s abdomen to help stimulate milk production. When a cat purrs during kneading you can make out that they are particularly contented. Because the pads of your cat s paws contain scent glands her kneading emits her own distinctive scent discernable by other cats or pets but not by the human nose. Cats knead when they are feeling happy or contented.
Kneading could be a way to alleviate stress similar to humans biting their fingernails or showing contentment. During nursing a kitten will knead the area around its mother s teat to promote the flow of milk. I think they do it because it makes them feel like they did when they were kittens nursing in a contented time. Your cat is kneading to tenderize you so she can eat you.
Since the pads of your cat s paws contain scent glands it is a form of marking their spot and if they love you they may just be marking you as well telling the rest of the world to back off. Your cat is marking you.