Cats often display strange behaviors that both confuse and amuse their owners. One of the most common behaviors is “kneading,” or pressing their claws back and forth against a surface like kneading dough. Cats will knead on soft surfaces, such as blankets, pillows, their owner’s lap, or even other cats or dogs in the home. What does it mean when a cat kneads? The answer to this question may not be clear, but there are several interesting theories.
Why do “cats” like to do massages?
Nesting behavior
“Why do cats knead their blankets?” It may be because kneading is a nesting behavior inherited from their wild ancestors. Wild cats often use their feet to press and knead piles of leaves or tall grass to create nests for themselves and their offspring to rest and sleep.
By doing this to the ground, they are not only preparing a soft nest in a similar way to the fluffiness of our pillows, but they are also checking the underbrush for any predators, prey or dangers that may be hiding. When your cat does the same to a blanket, pillow or other potential sleeping surface, this behavior may be a deep-rooted habit from their wild ancestors.
Marking the territory
Another possible reason why cats knead is that they are trying to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands on their paws. When a cat presses and releases their paws, these glands release pheromones. So, it’s possible that when your cat kneads you, it’s trying to mark you as its own and warn other cats to stay away.
Period of Proportion
In some cases, female cats may exhibit hermaphroditic behaviors when they are in ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app heat. Hermaphroditic kneading, stretching, and nuzzling while lying on her side are signs that the male is ready to mate. During this time, the female may become more vocal, more affectionate, and request to go outside.
Stretching
Cats are agile animals and can jump very far. So how do they keep their muscles flexible enough to run, jump and get into tight spaces? Some believe that cat massage is a way to stretch and prepare their muscles for the upcoming activity.
What should we do when a cat massages us and it hurts?
Although it is a cute behavior for cats to massage us, it can also be painful if they scratch us with their sharp claws. It is important not to punish cats even if it hurts, because it is an instinctive behavior and a way to show love. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of being scratched as follows:
- Use barriers: If your cat tends to scratch you while you’re giving it a massage, try placing something soft, like a pillow or blanket, between you and your cat.
- Induce relaxation: Try petting your cat gently and gently laying it down to induce relaxation.
- Distraction: Try playing with your cat with toys to distract him and reduce the massaging behavior.