Why Do Cats Knead Blankets

Not only do cats sweat from the soft pads at the bottom of their paws but they also have scent glands there.

Why do cats knead blankets. In adulthood a cat supposedly will knead when its feeling happy or content because it associates the motion with the comforts of nursing and its mother. One theory states that the instinct to knead stems from the wild ancient days of cats. Mother cats may knead on blankets to form them into a nest for their kittens.

Why Do Cats Knead Blankets And Other Soft Objects. Cats also knead and bite to claim territory and mark items with their scent. As a result the paws release a unique scent.

Cats have scent glands on their cheeks as well as on the bottoms of their feet. If your cat kneads its blanket it is marking the item as its own. Role of memory.

It appears to be relaxing and soothingmany cats will purr contentedly drift off into sleep or simply zone out and enjoy the motion. Wild cats had to build nesting places with leaves and grass especially after birth or a hectic day of hunting. In mature cats continued kneading and nibbling may signify trust comfort and contentment.

Adding further weight to the explanation. Cats knead soft objects like blankets because it mimics the feeling of kneading their mothers while nursing. This is where a cat sweats when it starts to overheat.

Cats begin kneading as kittens while nursing from their mother. When kittens suckle they knead and bite on their mothers nipple to produce milk. It appears to be relaxing and soothingmany cats will purr contentedly drift off.