Cat Behavior: Kneading

Cats have distinct personalities unique to each individual feline. Cats do have mood swings like humans. How else can you explain their weird and peculiar behavior? Do you know why your cat stares at you? Or why do they feel happy shredding your precious drapes to tatters? Cats have developed "symbiotic social behavior" over thousands of years with their human counterparts. Once you bring a cat into your house, your house doesn't belong to you anymore. The house belongs to your cat.

Your cat will follow you everywhere around the house. Even while you are taking a shower! Busy watching T.V? The cat glares at you. How dare you give importance to the idiot box, when it is in the mood to play? You wake up in the middle of the night hearing the crashes and banging. Earthquake? Intruder? Ghosts? No, that's your cat on the prowl.

Does your cat scratch your ankle? Why do they bite when you disturb their precious fur? Is your stuff from the dressing table on the floor? Knitting balls mysteriously disappearing? These are the various ways by which cats tries to communicate with us humans. Since cats do not speak our language, you have to try to understand their sign language. It's like deciphering the Morse Code. Once you get the hang of it, you'll know the reason behind the mysterious behavior of your cat.

One of the most common behavior of cats is 'Kneading'. The rhythmic motion of pushing the claws in and out maybe a fun-filled activity for your cat, but a painful experience for you, when it extends the claws in your thighs. Do you know why your pillows, mattresses are kneaded before the cat goes to sleep? There are a few logical explanations to this typical cat behavior.

Kneading is an inherited behavior formed in kittenhood. Kittens knead the mother's teat to stimulate milk flow. This action of kittens is called 'milk thread' as this is carried out during nursing. When the kitten drinks faster than the milk flow, kneading helps them promote the flow of milk.

This behavior is brought out in any soft, warm area even in your laps! It is usually done when a cat is satisfied, content or happy. It is the cat's way of expressing 'I am comfortable with you'. When your cat kneads excessively in your lap, it means it has may have adopted you as a mother-figure.

Cats may also knead when they are sexually active. It is very common for female cats in heat to exhibit kneading. In male cats, it is a mating ritual. When your male cat becomes too aggressive while kneading, you better move out-of-the-way.

There is another reason for cats to carry out this unusual behavior. Cats have scent glands on their pads. They are located near the base of their claws. This scent unnoticeable by humans is used to mark territories. Other animals and their feline friends can sense these distinctive smells. Cats use this method to mark the boundaries along their territories.

Thus, the next time your cat kneads on your carpets or pillows there may be a chance it is in "kitten-mode" or marking its territory. If your cat kneads in your lap, hold your head high, as she may be marking you with her scent, proclaiming to the world that you belong to her!