There’s a behavior many cats exhibit that the human family members find endearing and fascinating. If your cat’s nails haven’t been trimmed lately though, the behavior can also be a bit on the painful side. The behavior I’m referring to is called kneading.
The behavior looks like this: the cat stands or sits on a soft surface and alternates flexing and stretching his front paws in a steady pattern.
Where Does Kneading Behavior in Cats Come From?
Kneading behavior is a holdover from when cats were kittens. It originates when kittens are nursing on the mother. During nursing, kittens instinctively flex and relax their paws (known as the milk tread) to stimulate lactation and release the milk flow. Even after kittens have been weaned and have grown into adulthood, it’s common for many cats to continue the kneading behavior.
Kneading is often triggered when cats are on a soft surface such as a bed or blanket or on the lap of a familiar human. Being on that soft surface can put cats in the same content emotional state as when they were nursing from the queen.
The Cat’s Expression During Kneading
While cats are engaged in kneading behavior they’ll often have their eyes half-way closed and have an almost dreamy expression on their face. Many cats also purr while kneading. In some cases, cats even start drooling as they allow their jaws to become so relaxed.
Cats show contentment and affection in many different ways and kneading is just one of those tender expressions. Just remember to keep your cat’s nails trimmed and the kneading behavior will be pleasant for everyone.
Need More Information?
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included Amazon links here on our website.