The act of kneading is performed by cats from all over the world. This is noticeable when the kittens are less than one day old. They can be seen kneading their mother’s womb while nursing. When cats grow up, some still knead soft blankets, rugs, the sofa, their owner, and sometimes the air. People who wonder why cats knead items on a regular basis will be happy to learn that it is purely a form of satisfaction. It is always good to know that your cat is totally and absolutely happy with his current situation.
The act of kneading is often a very rhythmic action between the left and right front leg. Cats alternate between paws, flexing the toes with an extended paw and then curling them downward as they withdraw. This process is not too painful when a human experiences it, unless there are claws involved.
The use of claws when kneading will vary from cat to cat. Some find it necessary to knead with full claws, while others are very light on the use of claws. The best type of kneading is more like a massage when performed by a cat without claws. This is almost therapeutic for both the cat and the human experiencing it.
Most cats purr audibly while kneading, no matter where the action takes place. Sometimes they even close their eyes during this kneading and purring process. This combination gives the visual visualization of a truly contained being.
The look of pure pleasure crosses his face, making even the most mischievous cat look quite tame. A cat can be so immersed in the act of kneading that its surroundings seem to vanish. Interrupting a cat during its kneading time can generate an angry look.
Some cats can knead when they find a certain type of material, such as a shaggy blanket. There are other cats that only knead something alive, mainly the belly of its owner when the cat climbs on it to go to sleep at night. Cats can also be found kneading random objects, such as a stuffed animal, the bathroom rug, a pile of dirty laundry, or even a pillow. Most of the kneading occurs on items that are somewhat soft.
There is a theory about kneading that believes that the action dates back to the ancestors of the modern domestic cat. Wild cats lived in the forest and had to pack foliage for a bed or nesting place. This action can definitely be seen when a cat is kneading an area and then curling up to fall asleep in it. Very rarely does a cat knead an area or item and then just walk away to do something completely different.
Why cats knead can be answered with; it is a forerunner of the dream. Babies sometimes suck their thumb, snuggle with a stuffed animal, or squeeze a blanket while they sleep. Cats purr to comfort themselves and then massage their area so that it is ready for sleep. It can also be compared to the way humans fluff their pillow at night. Each of the beings has their own style of falling asleep easily.
