Why Do Cats Knead Your Chest

In a cuddling situation your cat feels safe and warm and his brain recalls his first experiences that were safe and warm.

Why do cats knead your chest. Their ancestors did this with tall grass or leaves. When cats knead the scent glands on the pads of their feet will mark the surface being kneaded. While nuzzling he ll purr knead his paws and have the most blissful look on his face. Multiple theories exist that explain why cats knead.

A nursing kitten will instinctively knead at their mother s abdomen to help stimulate milk production. This can involve claws. First cats knead mostly to show affection or to let you know they need or want something. So usually it means hello i like you right now or exuse me but i need you next cats usually do not sleep near others especially humans if they do n.

Because kittens use this motion to satisfy a need they often associate the habit with a good thing and bring it into their adult cat life as well. An added bonus if the cat is kneading your lap or chest she s saying she owns you and also feels comfortable and safe with you. His paws respond to the memory by starting to knead. They do it with your jeans.

When they are kittens that kneading action on the mom tells her the kits are ready to eat. It starts her lactation and increases the supply of milk in her teats. One reason cats knead is to make a soft bed or clear a space to doze. Sometimes it hurts.

Many cats will knead a blanket or towel before taking a nap on it. Sometimes your cat wants to feel the warmth of your body which it finds on top of your chest. If you do not keep claws trimmed and blunt kneading can be uncomfortable for you but your cat does not mean to hurt you. This same action carries over to.

Cats begin kneading instinctually as kittens when they are nursing to help stimulate their mothers milk. It may also be associated with having extra comfort a way of showing its affection towards you having a sense of security that it finds on the chest area or simply it may love that particular area for its rest. Kneading may have an origin going back to cats wild ancestors who had to tread down grass or foliage to make a temporary nest in which to rest. Kittens knead at their mother s tummy when they re hungry and looking for milk.

Though your cat may be long past nursing age they might still enjoy the comforting sensation of being close to a protective figure they associate with kneading. So the scent left is a territorial marker.