Why Do Cats Knead Your Leg

5 fun reasons for cat kneading.

Why do cats knead your leg. If your cat purrs while kneading your thighs this is their way of using all of their persuasive tools to get something from you chances are it s food. Cats knead when they re happy and it is meant as a compliment to their human friends. The habit of kneading comes from kittenhood when they knead their mothers stomach to increase the flow of milk. Remember the times your cat is most likely to knead.

If you have a particularly needy cat they may knead you all of the time to solicit attention especially if this behavior resulted in you giving them attention in the past. Alternatively the behavior may be a remnant of a newborn s kneading of the mother s teat to stimulate milk secretion. They are showing affection but for them it s more of a self comforting act. When your cat rubs up against your legs or pushes his head against you it s a very positive sign.

Cats are territorial creatures and one of the ways they safeguard their turf is to scent mark their belongings. 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. Cat kneading is comforting. Your cat is marking you.

Sackman senior medical director for bluepearl veterinary partners michigan region head rubbing is a behavior cats learn as kittens with their mother. Photography robert redelowski thinkstock. Why do cats knead. You re probably stroking them and it s most likely they re.

Pet parents and cats that knead them when trying to figure out why cats knead your leg the dog blankets and other soft things it may seem as if they re being affectionate. By kneading their paws on the surface of something yes including you they re activating the scent glands in their soft paw pads thereby marking that item as theirs. Your cat is kneading to tenderize you so she can eat you. Kneading is the back and forth motion a cat makes by alternating its paws against something soft.

If you can imagine being a warm snuggly. Actually it s an instinctive behavior they develop when they re kittens. Multiple theories exist that explain why cats knead. Cats can become so relaxed while kneading that they enter a trancelike.

Often cat kneading is accompanied by contented purring and sometimes even. Cat kneading is hypnotic.