Why cats crumple the blanket with their paws and purr

During feeding time, kittens have a complete sense of security, which cats remember by kneading soft things. This is especially likely in cats who also suck on blankets. We see similar self-soothing habits in nature, even in human babies "needing" pacifiers.

Why do cats stomp on blankets with their paws?

Anyone who is a happy owner of a furry, whiskered, flea-bitten pet knows that cats often like to trample the blanket with their paws. They always alternately release and retract claws, purr rather and close their eyes.

Cats do it when they are in a good mood. Some cat owners call it a massage, others call it a dance, but all believe that this action of the animal is a sign of contentment of the cat.

So why do all cats, without exception, do it? There are several hypotheses to explain this behavior of an animal.

Desire to relieve emotional tension

Sometimes cats scrub the couch or bed too vigorously and without purring. This can happen after the cat has been offended by something – it has been driven away from its favorite, nested place, scolded for mischief or not given a treat.

And then, by treading on its paws, the animal can vent its negative feelings. After this, the cat will usually calm down and return to its owner, showing that it is no longer angry.

What does a cat mean by kneading?

Cat kneading, cat massaging – you can call it whatever you want. It all refers to the same thing. Now the question is why people compare kneading to baking or massaging.

The cat rhythmically alternates paws pushing in and out against a soft, fluffy surface or your lap. This movement will remind you of a baker making cookies. That's why people associate kneading with massaging or baking.

Why do cats wrinkle blankets? People believe that cats knead when they are happy and feel safe. There are many more reasons, which I will discuss in the following sections.

Reasons

A cat only kneads soft surfaces. Let it be a plaid or a tummy. Regardless of where the cat kneads, the meaning is the same. Here are 4 likely reasons why a cat kneads blankets:

1. Marking the territory.

You may know that cats excel at their sense of smell. Before moving somewhere or playing with a stranger or other animal, cats always smell. If the scent seems trustworthy, the cat will not hesitate before playing with the person.

So, when a cat likes something or someone, it leaves behind a scent. Cats have special scent glands in their paw pads. When they crumple blankets with their paws, the scent glands are activated.

After a while, the glands release pheromone hormones with a unique scent. This is the cats' way of marking their territory. When a cat kneads a blanket, it means this is the cat's favorite resting place. So, the other kitties can retreat.

2. Remembering from childhood.

Kneading may be a warm memory from the cat's childhood. A kitten would crumple its mother's belly as a sign of feeding. When a kitten feels hungry, she kneads her mother's belly to stimulate the release of milk.

The memory lingers even after the cat is an adult. It still seeks the warmth and comfort that its mother used to provide. So, if the cat is crumpling a soft blanket, it may be a way for the cat to remember her childhood.

When you notice the cat kneading a blanket or any fluffy surface, pet the cat to make it feel loved.

3. The cat is starting her heat.

This is only true for non-sterilized cats. When their heat cycle begins, they are in desperate need of mating. So, they are in the business of kneading a blanket to spread a special smell.

We humans can't smell it, but cats can. Cats use this smell to tell males that their heat cycle has begun. So, if your cat is wrinkling a blanket or any soft surface, chances are she is ready to mate.

Why Not All Cats Crumple the Blanket

Some owners do not observe this behavior in their cat, which means that massaging the blanket is not peculiar to every cat. And it's not about the breed. According to experts, the animals that were separated from their mothers very early, namely, the cats fed from a pipette, are not able to go over a pillow or a blanket.

There is also the opposite opinion. Cats do not crumple the blanket if the mother cat had plenty of milk as a child and there was no need to stimulate its production.

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Why do cats wrinkle soft things?

This question, which is not surprising, worries many cat owners. You have to understand that these animals by nature have a developed sense of touch, and the perception of the environment is enhanced with the help of whiskers and soft paws. It turns out that the pads have many active receptors and glands, which also secrete special enzymes. Cats stomp on the blanket, purring and releasing their claws in the process. Such movements are called the "milk step". The behavior tells us directly that the animal is predisposed to the object or person in question. And there are several good reasons for this attitude toward blankets, plaids, or other soft things.

Stress release. Stresses occur not only in humans, but also in animals. There are quite a few reasons why a pet might become very nervous: a visit to the vet, a claw trim. In the case of a strong resentment or frustration, the cat needs somewhere to vent its anger – then the claws can hurt the furniture and the bed. During this process, the animal releases endorphins. And it is better not to disturb the cat, because it may bite, taking offense at the interruption of such an important process for it.

Childhood memories. Such actions towards the plaid or the owner may be connected with the instincts formed in childhood. After all, kittens behave in a similar way – they crumple their mother's belly while feeding. And cats associate feeding time itself with something warm, soft, and cozy. It is this feeling of safety and satiety that gives rise to warming up their paws on something soft.

Getting ready to rest. Preparing a place to sleep is an important instinct for cats. In the natural environment, animals would mow leaves and grass to form a rookery. A similar instinct has been preserved in many animals, including cats. Some even pull pillows to themselves – they are more comfortable to rest that way.

Mating games. During mating games, cats also perform similar actions. During the heat period, the female subconsciously attracts attention to herself – arching her back, purring, stomping on the blanket. And it is better not to disturb the pet during this period – this condition will pass either with the onset of pregnancy, or by itself in a couple of weeks.

How should a person react to such behavior of a cat?

It is worth understanding that such movements of the paws toward the plaid, blanket or person most often indicate the animal's love for the owner, affection for him, a kind of care. The cat wants to be close to the person to share its energy and take away our accumulated negativity. And then why punish the pet, drive it away, and yell at it? You shouldn't do that, otherwise the cat will be offended, may take revenge, or will no longer want to share its feelings with the owner, leaving only aggression for him. If it bothers you that the cat tears the fabric with its long claws while kneading the blanket and purring, you should simply take care of their length. There are other ways to deal with the problem:

• Petting the cat from above is to get her to hide her claws.
• Put something denser under its paws: a plaid, a pillow.
• Stroking the pet's head, gently place it on its side or on its back, so you can change the exposure.
• Distract the cat's attention with some soft toy.

Be that as it may, but such actions of a beloved animal, purring accompanied by a soft massage, speak of attachment to the person, love for him. Do not forget about the curious theory of zoologists. Many scientists agree that cats can treat humans.

Relatively recently appeared such a therapeutic trend as feline therapy. This technique can be tried out by anyone who is not allergic to wool. But cats have a very important ability – they can feel the mood of their owners, who suffer from problems. Then the pet will come to the person to help relieve his tension. And of course you should not refuse such attention. Purring helps to get rid of stress and relieves the nervous system.

And the purring of a cat has a healing effect on the animal. Magic sounds help bones thicken faster, which is especially important for fractures. It is known that the vibration frequency of the sound produced varies from 20 to 50 Hz, which helps bone tissue grow better. This is among the reasons why cat purring and paw massage are used in the fight against autism, schizophrenia and cerebral palsy.

Why a cat stomps on a soft surface: 6 reasons for "milky pacing"

I think everyone has noticed how a cat purrs and stomps on a blanket, plaid, on a person's soft clothes.

1. The most common, everyone knows, reason is the realization of instinctive behavior. A cat, remembering its childhood, "kneads" the blanket with its paws ("milk step"), associating it with its mother cat, its care and feeding, especially if the cat drools while doing so.

2. But this action is also a realization of territorial behavior. Cats have special glands on their fingertips that allow them to leave their scent on the surface. When the cat kneads the blanket, it leaves this smell on it, thus showing that it is its territory.

• You may notice that it is not uncommon for a cat to stomp on one part of the blanket. This shows that he has defined this particular spot as his territory, which he marks.
• If there are several cats in the house, the behavior may indicate that this part belongs to the cat and no one else.

Vigorous stomping, biting the soft cloth, resembles kittens communicating with each other. They also bite each other, grab each other by the scruff of the neck. When a cat gets excited, it can grab a blanket with its front paws and scratch it with its back paws.

Wild cats stomp on the hard grass, creating a comfortable place for themselves to rest. The mother cat thus makes the grass softer for her babies. A house cat, too, may instinctively prepare its bed by "making it softer" before it goes to bed.

5 . When a cat stomps on a person's arms, it is a sign of incredible trust and love. If the cat drools at the same time, it is a sign of maximum happiness.

6. Stress, an attempt to calm oneself, can also manifest itself through this behavior. Stress is easy to recognize: the cat stomps rather sharply, even nervously. If he is touched at this point, he will become nervous, tense, perhaps try to leave.

Instinctive or purposeful action? Why do cats trample with their paws?

The process of rhythmic stomping on the blanket, accompanied by intense purring vibrations, can be both unconscious, caused by purely instinctive desires, and caused by a specific purpose. Specialists distinguish several varieties of feline "stomping" received together with the gene pool of wild ancestors.

Territorial mark

Cats have a significant number of sweat glands on their paws. Ever had a problem with cat "prints" on laminate and tile in hot weather? It's all the sweat from the cat's skin. When a furry pet dances long and hard on your bed, it's probably trying to "stake out" the area. Especially often this sin cats, which have to share an apartment with other "tails". Placed in the most unexpected places, sweat tags warn about the inviolability of the cat's living space, scaring off other pets.

Disperse before jumping

Before attacking a mouse or other suitable prey, "matrons" take a low start and begin to actively move their hind legs. At first glance the cat's efforts look comical, but zoopsychologists think that in fact these actions have a sacral meaning. This way the cat tests the "working" conditions – whether the accidental branch hinders the jump or whether its paw movements create the rustle that scares away the wary prey. This tactic is thought to be due to primitive instincts developed in the days when cats were forced to forage for food on their own.

Preparing the sleeping place

Does the cat cheerfully rub and paw his mattress before he lies down? It is possible that in this way he is trying to get information about the safety and comfort of the chosen place of rest. In the wild, "trampling" allowed not only to make sure the bed was soft enough, but also to flush out the insects settled in it, which would disturb the cat's relaxation. And otherwise, such "recharging" before bedtime allowed the cat to switch from a working state to a more relaxed one.

5 other possible reasons why your cat wrinkles his paws

Childhood experiences. Felinologists have a special name for feline "stomping", caused by childhood memories – "milky step". If you've ever watched a nursing cat, you've noticed how the kittens massage their mother's belly. This is done to ensure the flow of milk to the nipple and to satisfy the basic instinct – hunger – more quickly. Subsequently, grown cats often resort to this method in daily life, practicing the milk step on inanimate objects – bedspreads, soft toys. For adults it is a kind of psychotherapy, causing a pleasant feeling of security and pleasure.

Interesting fact: Kittens raised on artificial feeding do not practice the milk step as adults. This behavior is not peculiar to animals from small litters either. When the mother's milk is enough for all, there is no need to additionally stimulate lactation in a natural way.

Sexual instincts. During heat in mature cats, an increased thirst for affection awakens. At this time, cats behave as affectionately and obsessively as possible. The mating season is also a time-consuming period of stomping on the master's lap, blankets, and pillows. Usually concentrated "massaging" with paws is accompanied by other characteristic habits – rubbing of the body against the human legs, inviting purring, arching of the back.

The search for anti-stress therapy. Some cats crumple and trample on soft objects with their paws under the influence of stress. It is known that the extremities of cats have many sensitive receptors, so in periods of agitation many purrs "prescribe" a soothing stomping of plaids and their own mattresses. Most often such "sessions" are arranged by females, whose labor is about to begin. Before the contractions the cats begin to actively dance on any soft objects to muffle the pain.

Should I be worried about my cat biting and wrinkling blankets?

Biting and kneading blankets is generally safe, and if your cat has always done this, there is probably nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if it started all of a sudden. you should show your cat to the vet. Any sudden change in behavior may be a sign that your cat is not feeling well.

If your cat has always been a fan of kneading and now she is also biting the blankets, she may have a toothache. Also, kneading may be a reaction to stress caused by pain or discomfort in general, as a calming technique.

Some dangers to your cat depending on what she kneads

Sometimes loosely woven or knitted blankets can tear when kneading and biting, and threads can get caught in claws or teeth. If kneading does not cause other difficulties, we suggest claw trimming. This can prevent rips, tears, or scratches on your belongings.

If you're worried about loose threads and fibers, and your cat has a favorite place to rest, consider buying a soft thing that's comfortable for the cat and putting it there instead.

Why cats crumple the bed and human with their paws

Many cat lovers have noticed this behavior in their pets. Animals tread on their owners' laps or breasts as if they were kneading dough. Some are convinced that cats massage and even heal people in this way. But if this is true, why do they knead the bed with their paws? What do these feline movements really mean?

Often cats, settling on some soft surface (a pillow, a rug, a blanket), begin to "knead" this surface rhythmically, alternately with both front paws. Sometimes the animals may even let out their claws. They purr with pleasure, and sometimes it even seems that the pets fall into a kind of trance. According to the publication "The nest", according to scientists, this is how cats return to childhood. The fact is that the actions described above, zoologists call the "milk step". Kittens use this "step" to stimulate the release of milk from the mother's breast. This is why even adult cats sometimes cluck while stomping on the bed.

It is clear that the "milk step" arouses pleasant emotions in our pets, thanks to which they are so engrossed in such actions that one would think that they are really in a kind of trance. In reality, such monotonous, "baby" movements calm the cats, just as babies immediately cease to be nervous, clinging to the mother's breast. It is noteworthy that some researchers believe that artificially-fed cats never masticate with their paws. However, most cat lovers do not agree with this opinion.

The information portal "Life.ru" also writes about another reason why cats can make such movements. In particular, as stated in the article, scientists believe that the pads of animals have glands, through which they "mark", that is, mark their territory and even other living objects. This way the cat lets potential competitors know that this place is theirs and that others should not claim it.