The feeling of a cat’s kneading behavior is incredibly comfortable! When I first experienced the kneading service of a cat, I was both nervous and excited, almost not daring to move. I thought to myself, this “money-devouring beast” was indeed not raised in vain, finally it has come in handy. However, did you know? Behind the kneading behavior of cats lies a sad story. Why do I say that?
When a cat is still a kitten, kneading is an instinctive behavior. Kittens press against the mother cat’s mammary glands to stimulate the secretion of more milk, so the kittens that knead can eat their fill and grow strong. Kneading not only makes kittens feel happy but also brings them a sense of security and satisfaction, as if it were the warm breath of their mother.
Under normal circumstances, kittens will be weaned at three months old, and the mother cat will tell the kittens in cat language: “It’s time for you to be weaned, and you are not allowed to drink my milk anymore.” This is the normal situation. However, many kittens are taken away before they are weaned and come to a new family. These kittens have not experienced the education of weaning and still retain the habit of kneading. Since the mother cat is not there, they start kneading blankets, kneading their owners, and even kneading all soft items. This phenomenon is known as the early weaning response.
If a cat kneads on you, it not only indicates that it trusts you and sees you as a “mother,” but also shows that you are very soft. When an adult cat kneads on you, it leaves its scent on you, which is also a way for the cat to consider you as one of its own. Although the feeling of being kneaded by a cat is very comfortable, always remember to trim the cat’s nails; otherwise, the consequences could be……
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/cats-kneading-instinct-sign-love
