As any cat owner knows, cats and kittens love to knead! When they are born, they knead their mother’s belly while nursing to stimulate the flow of milk. As they get older, they keep this comforting trait. But since most are separated from their mother by this time, they will usually do it on comfortable surfaces like soft blankets, pillows, fellow cats and even on your lap or belly.
In adulthood, cats supposedly knead when they are happy or content because it associates the kneading motion with that comforting feeling they experienced when nursing. Some cats will even suck on the surface when kneading. Both of my cats love to knead all the soft blankets I keep on the couch and will go on forever, just like our little friend here who just can’t stop kneading his favorite stuffed toy! You can see how this can put any cat into a hypnotic kneading trance. You think he’s comfortable enough?
This is just another one of those sweet things we love seeing our cats do, and something they love to do!