[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3493.0. "just wondering..." by SANFAN::BALZERMA () Wed Apr 04 1990 18:21

    
    
    Why do cats knead?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
3493.1Interesting Question...JUPITR::SCOTTPaula BethWed Apr 04 1990 18:328
    Read "How to Talk to Cats"  (see my previous note).  
    
    I believe it goes back to when they were kittens.  They knead at the 
    mother's nipples to get milk.  It may be a sign of dependence on us.  
    
    I think this is what I read...Hmmmmm.
    
    
3493.2and other things tooSLSTRN::PLOETZWed Apr 04 1990 20:207
    yes, but dickens seems to think my blanket is a female!  (to put this
    politely)  so, i gave up my mother theory (unless we want to get
    freudian).   i have been wondering what this is all about.  does anyone
    know?
    
    thanks,
    paula
3493.3SANFAN::BALZERMAWed Apr 04 1990 20:287
    
    RE: .2  That's exactly why I asked the question.  Bailey loves to
            knead my blanket whether I'm under it or not!
    
            Marlene
     
             
3493.4Cats are very scent orientatedVAXWRK::SKALTSISDebWed Apr 04 1990 20:293
    well, you may not be there but your scent is on the object.
    
    Deb
3493.5FSHQA1::RKAGNOA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendWed Apr 04 1990 20:4315
    Marlene, you're lucky that Bailey only wants to knead your blanket...
    Kirby wants to rip mine to shreds!!  It's one of those cotton weaved
    blankets.... and he gets up onto the bed every morning without fail
    and proceeds to make scratching motions with his two front paws,
    claws extended of course.  You should see the blanket!  Threads
    hanging here, there and everywhere!!
    
    He loves to scratch, or dig, as we call it.  He digs at stuff on
    Dana's desk, newspapers, bathmats, whatever is nearby he'll dig
    at.  Whenever there's a mess we know that the mad digger has struck
    again!
    
    
    --Roberta (who really wants to revise the Ragdoll standard!)
    
3493.6loves those natural fibers...SANFAN::BALZERMAWed Apr 04 1990 22:358
    
    Roberta, mine is one of those cotton weaves also!  You are right,
    I am lucky that he doesn't tear it.  I love that blanket (what's
    my excuse?)!!!
    
    Marlene
    
    
3493.7CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Thu Apr 05 1990 12:467
    re: kneading - My theory about kneading is not that the cat considers
    you or the blanket its mother, but rather that the kneading is
    associated with feelings of security, comfort and happiness.  So
    when the cat is feeling particularly content, it starts kneading.
    Bonnie climbs up on my shoulder every night and kneads my hair,
    purring away,while I fall asleep.
      Nancy DC
3493.8Contentment!SLSTRN::PLOETZThu Apr 05 1990 15:097
    re: .7
    
    Nancy, I agree!  Dickens didn't knead at all last week while we had my
    almost two-year old nephew visiting yelling "co co co co" at the cat
    from 3 inches away!  "co co" means kitty - now that it's peaceful
    again, out come the claws and prr prr prr as he nestles down with me at
    night!  
3493.9If they were making bread, we'd have a bakery!BOOVX1::MANDILEThu Apr 05 1990 16:116
    Re .7 - I agree, too!  Contentment seems to bring this on,
    try having three in your lap, all happily kneading!
    Casey doesn't, and has never done this, but the other three
    make up for him by being definite "kneaders".  
    
    L-
3493.10purrp,, knead..AIMHI::MCCURDYThu Apr 05 1990 16:399
    .. HRH "kneads while she is "dining".. I believe Aunt Sue Spingler
    "witnessed " that one evening... and commented on it,, of Course
    HRH stalked off.. tee-hee.. Preschie kneads on everything ..
    and everybody who holds her.. tee-hee.. it is coo cute to
    watch her,, Happy also kneads.. she likes the sofa to knead on..
    and  her "binky".. that is her catnip mat.. they each have one..
    ot goes everywhere with them. Ah yes,, knead, purrrrrrrrr,knead
    purrrrr,,
    Kate
3493.11I knead air!USEM::MCQUEENEYVast skill, half vast job.Thu Apr 05 1990 16:429
    
    	Mine all knead when thier bellies are scratched/patted.  They'll
    either knead whatever human appendage is handy (arm/leg/face), or
    failing that, they spread thier legs straight out and knead thin
    air.  I once thought that it was the 'kitten nursing and kneading'
    syndrome, but now I'm not so sure.
    
    	McQ
    
3493.12WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityThu Apr 05 1990 18:108
    Moody kneads in the air while he is being judged at the shows. 
    This is great, since most whole males aren't that mellow when they
    get to be his age.  The judges just eat it up!
    
    Jo 
    
    PS - Moody is at 155 points, and counting.
    
3493.13Step in time...ESCROW::COCHRANERack and RuneThu Apr 05 1990 18:1710
    Belle "kneads at me" from across the room when I call her name.
    It's so cute!  I'll call, "Belle-belle" and she'll look up and
    start to purr (you can hear her across a room - she's *loud*)
    and then the little front paws start kneading in place ;-)
    She looks so adorable I have to go over and scoop her up and
    then she purrs louder and kneads harder!!!
    
    But of course I don't spoil this kitten...... ;-) ;-)
    
    Mary-Michael
3493.14CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Fri Apr 06 1990 11:364
    Dusty will knead thin air too when you pick him up. He's
    such a love.
      N
    
3493.15This could be troubleBANZAI::FISHERDictionary is not.Fri Apr 06 1990 12:194
    Hobbes kneads on the waterbed.  With his big mitts, I'm waiting for the
    leaks to start.
    
    ed
3493.16waterbed owners SHOULD worry!FORTSC::WILDEAsk yourself..am I a happy cow?Fri Apr 06 1990 16:2215
>>    Hobbes kneads on the waterbed.  With his big mitts, I'm waiting for the
>>    leaks to start.
    
A little kitten I rescued and placed a few years back stayed with us for
approx. 3 months - and punctured my waterbed 5 different times....that
mattress looked like it had been thru a war.  I learned to buy a very
thick (read:  expensive) mattress pad that wrapped all around the mattress
and tucked under and keep it covered at all times with a set of sheets and
a comforter.  You SHOULD be careful.  Keep them kitty claws trimmed and
keep your bed made (egad!  I just sounded like my mother..."make your
bed everyday!")...

				been there,

				    D