Cats possess a number of unique behaviors that often leave feline lovers wondering about the true meaning of them. One of the gestures that most confuses cat lovers is “kneading”. Why do cats knead?
This “kneading” consists of a rhythmic cycle of pressure of the front paws on soft surfaces, similar to kneading bread dough. Although it may seem unusual, the act of kneading in cats has deep roots in their instinct and evolutionary life.
The kneading movement in cats occurs naturally among baby cats to promote the mother’s milk production. But why does my adult cat continue kneading if he no longer needs to feed on breast milk?
Although the reason why adult cats knead is not known for certain, there are certain theories that try to explain this behavior. In today’s article we will tell you about the best known ones.
Theory 1: Childhood habit that helps release stress
As we have mentioned previously, the kneading behavior in cats has roots in their childhood since this stimulates the flow of the mother’s milk and promotes the baby-mother bond.
But what happens when these childhood habits persist into adult life?
This is where the connection between stress relief and anxiety comes into play. Although adult cats do not need to stimulate milk flow, kneading still plays a fundamental role in their emotional life.
Adult cats kneading seem to find temporary refuge in the familiarity of their childhood behavior. During anxious times, kneading gives them a sense of security reminiscent of the moments of calm and peace of their childhood.
Theory 2: Territory marking
Another perspective suggests that the peculiar kneading behavior in cats could be directly linked to the concept of territory marking.
It turns out that felines have sweat glands in their paws. These glands actually release pheromones that act as chemical messengers that can be picked up and understood by other cats.
By observing how cats knead, we can interpret this action as an attempt to impregnate their scent in the environment so that this gesture is not merely an act of comfort, but rather a ritual of olfactory communication through which they try to establish their sense of belonging in the place they live.
In this way, cats could be communicating to other cats that this place is theirs, that they are present and that they are part of this space.
Theory 3: Show of affection
Kneading in cats is not only limited to inanimate objects, it also extends to their interactions with their owners.
If your cat gets on your lap and starts kneading you, this could have a deeper meaning than it seems and that is that this gesture is not a coincidence, but can be interpreted as an act of affection and trust.
When your cat kneads on your lap, it means she sees you as a mother figure, someone she trusts and feels a special emotional connection to.
This behavior is related to the theories that we have discussed previously about the maternal instinct. Cats see their owners as supportive and protective figures, and kneading can be a way to show this emotional connection.
Theory 4: Zeal
If you have a cat that is not neutered and is in heat, this kneading behavior may also have a specific meaning. In this case, kneading could be a way to get the attention of male cats and show them that she is ready for mating.
This behavior, although it can also be comforting for the cat, is mainly driven by its reproductive instinct and its need to find a partner to continue the species.
Ultimately, this enigmatic kneading behavior in cats is a fascinating manifestation of the complexity of these animals. So, the next time your cat settles into your lap and starts kneading, take a moment to contemplate it and see which of the theories we’ve mentioned throughout this article might best fit your cat’s attitude.
You may also be interested in:
+ There are no comments
Add yours