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Hey @irishstephen,
An interesting question that also has an interesting answer.
It's thought that this is a vestigial behavior going back to domestic cat ancestors who would, needing a temporary place to rest in the wild, make a temporary nest in tall grasses. Feral domestic cats have been observed making nests for themselves in this manner.
Some experts also believe it may be a remnant behavior from a newborn kitten kneading at its mother's teat to stimulate milk secretion.
Either way though, this behavior is a precursor to the cat nap!
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kneading_%28cats%29
Tags: kneading, behavior, cat
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bunnyphuph...
That is definitely what it looks like this little guy is doing:
Source(s):
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall08/Weaver/knead.html
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It can be an an ancestral ‘leftover’ trait. In the wild, cats need to make softer surface to sleep.
They do knead only on softer surfaces. They like to sleep on soft surfaces. So, may be it is their way of make the surface softer to make them relax.
Source(s):
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090226131405AAeEhfb
http://www.pets.ca/pettips/pet-tip-180.htm
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Why_Cats_Knead
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As you well know, I'm a massage therapist, and it's just common knowledge between us that we subcontract our extra jobs out to unemployed cats.
Just don't ask for Deep Tissue with those felines, they tend to get carried away and use their claws!
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Found this in an article online for USA Weekend.
http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060312/060312pets.html
"Why do dogs dig at the floor or at their beds before they lie down?
Fido's ancestors had to make their own sleeping arrangements, burrowing in the ground (for warmth and comfort) or creating a pile of leaves and other debris on which to catch 40 winks. What's more, many dogs like to dig anytime, anywhere, for any reason -- just because it feels good."
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3266012044_8688ca3450.jpg
Source(s):
http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060312/060312pets.html
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Answered Question
M$2
September 01, 2009 07:04 PM
Why do cats "knead" before they lay down?
So, once again, as every evening, both cats jump into bed and instantly begin kneading (or "making biscuits" as my bride so happily calls it!) before they lay down and start snoozing.
"I wonder why they do that?" my bride asked.
"Don't know, but i'll ask Mahalo tomorrow," I replied looking happily forward to today!
So what gives? Why DO cats do that?
"I wonder why they do that?" my bride asked.
"Don't know, but i'll ask Mahalo tomorrow," I replied looking happily forward to today!
So what gives? Why DO cats do that?
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Interesting: joyannj M$0.50, bunnyphuphu M$0.25, jeffhoard M$0.25
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Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| September 01, 2009 07:24 PM |
An interesting question that also has an interesting answer.
It's thought that this is a vestigial behavior going back to domestic cat ancestors who would, needing a temporary place to rest in the wild, make a temporary nest in tall grasses. Feral domestic cats have been observed making nests for themselves in this manner.
Some experts also believe it may be a remnant behavior from a newborn kitten kneading at its mother's teat to stimulate milk secretion.
Either way though, this behavior is a precursor to the cat nap!
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kneading_%28cats%29
| Asker's Rating: |
• Excellent answer sir!
Thanks for the info - my bride - and cats - can rest easy (no pun intended)!
Good work and thanks again!
Thanks for the info - my bride - and cats - can rest easy (no pun intended)!
Good work and thanks again!
Tags: kneading, behavior, cat
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Helpful: bunnyphuphu, kalane, brian san
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bunnyphuph...
September 01, 2009 09:33 PM
Great answer @croakingtoad!
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Other Answers (6)
September 01, 2009 08:07 PM
We have feral cats in our area (working on catching them now and having them fixed) and I've definitely observed them making nests, so to speak. Fascinating really. However, I have always understood this kneading behavior to be leftover from kittenhood - when the kittens kneaded the mother's teat to get milk. That is definitely what it looks like this little guy is doing:
Source(s):
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall08/Weaver/knead.html
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September 01, 2009 08:23 PM
Kneading is a way of Cats showing their affection to you. My research shows that when they are kittens, they kneed their moms nipples to get milk. Now they show this behavior as a sign of happiness and affection. It can be an an ancestral ‘leftover’ trait. In the wild, cats need to make softer surface to sleep.
They do knead only on softer surfaces. They like to sleep on soft surfaces. So, may be it is their way of make the surface softer to make them relax.
Source(s):
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090226131405AAeEhfb
http://www.pets.ca/pettips/pet-tip-180.htm
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Why_Cats_Knead
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September 01, 2009 09:29 PM
@irishstephen As you well know, I'm a massage therapist, and it's just common knowledge between us that we subcontract our extra jobs out to unemployed cats.
Just don't ask for Deep Tissue with those felines, they tend to get carried away and use their claws!
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September 03, 2009 01:46 PM
I KNEW IT!!!
I'm on to your schemes....!!!
Thanks for the post darlin!
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I'm on to your schemes....!!!
Thanks for the post darlin!
September 02, 2009 04:51 AM
My dog does this to his bed and it looks like he is nesting. He tries to fluff the bed just like we usually fluff our pillows before we lay down at night. We call it digging -he just paws at it until he is happy. It is so cute. Found this in an article online for USA Weekend.
http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060312/060312pets.html
"Why do dogs dig at the floor or at their beds before they lie down?
Fido's ancestors had to make their own sleeping arrangements, burrowing in the ground (for warmth and comfort) or creating a pile of leaves and other debris on which to catch 40 winks. What's more, many dogs like to dig anytime, anywhere, for any reason -- just because it feels good."
Source(s):
http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060312/060312pets.html
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September 03, 2009 01:50 PM
I understand! My pup, Mr. Bean "burrows." He will get under the covers and keep burrowing until the blanket is almost a straight jacket around him! Crazy guy...
Anyhoo, thanks for the info!
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Anyhoo, thanks for the info!
September 02, 2009 12:03 PM
My cat always does that, I always thought she were just trying to get comfy but after reading the posts here I now think that it reminds her of her mother. I have two cats and one is the mother of the other and the mother always does that and the son doesn't.
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