Why do cats ‘knead bread’? The curious massage that felines do on owners and surfaces

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Felines first start kneading when they are just newborns and in the nursing phase. And this behavior can accompany them throughout their lives. Cats maintain kitten-like behavior into adulthood GETTY IMAGES via BBC Cat owners love it when their felines “knead”. With this gesture, so named for its similarity to the act of preparing pasta, cats massage a person’s belly or a surface with their front paws, in a relaxing rhythm. And if you’ve ever seen a cat making out, you might have wondered why they behave this way. Does this tell us anything about how they feel? Is there anything you can do if they manage to hurt you with their claws? The evolution Cats begin to knead for the first time when they are just newborns and are in the nursing phase. Kneading is associated with sucking and helps stimulate breast milk supply through the release of oxytocin. And it was probably an act that evolved for that reason. Kneading also has another evolutionary advantage. It can be used as a form of tactile and pheromone communication between the kitten and the mother. Cats can use their paws to communicate using pheromones GETTY IMAGES via BBC Cats have scent glands in the soft parts of their paws, and when they knead, these glands release pheromones (chemical messages used to communicate). Kneading the mother releases pheromones associated with connection, identification or which convey other messages, for example about the state of health. One, known as the “cat appeasing pheromone,” is released from the sebaceous glands around the mammary glands. This also helps control aggression in adult cats. Why do they keep doing this when they grow up? Experts say ‘kneading’ is a behavior that cats adopt after birth GETTY IMAGES via BBC While cuddling is important in evolution for stimulating milk production and expressing tactile and chemical messages between kitten and mother, it is also a common behavior in adult cats, due to something called neoteny. This happens when an animal retains its youthful physical or behavioral traits well into adulthood. These traits are likely to be advantageous to cats when they need to socialize with humans, other cats, or animals in the home. Kneading, in particular, can be preserved into adulthood because it helps them get messages across. When he does this on your lap, it’s a cat’s way of saying “we’re connected” or “you’re in my social group”. Or in a very human definition, “you are my person”. We can also reinforce this behavior by rewarding a cat when he does this. And some cats like to knead fluffy or fleece blankets while licking the material, as if it were a nipple. This can be relaxing or calming for the cat because of this association. Does it say anything about health? In most cases, kneading probably indicates that the cat is comfortable. However, if the behavior—and particularly sucking—occurs too often, for too long, if it seems compulsive, or if it starts to hurt its paws, legs, or mouth, it could be a sign that the cat is stressed or in pain and needs help. veterinary care. This is a particular problem in Siamese and Burmese cats. But other cats don’t knead anything. Just like people, cats are individuals and like to show that they are comfortable or bond with you in their own way. When cats use their claws too hard when kneading, it can be painful GETTY IMAGES via BBC Can they hurt you? Sometimes the cat’s claws can put a lot of pressure on the belly or skin, causing pain. One solution is to use a thick blanket to cover yourself. Ideally, avoid scolding or pushing them away when they do this. To avoid bad moments, it is better to reward them with a caress or treat when the cat is pleasantly petting. You can even give him a verbal cue to be careful with his claws, something like “gentle”. The cat will associate the word and a food reward with the behavior you want. And if your cat isn’t a kneading type, don’t Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with him. *Susan Hazel is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide. Julia Henning is a PhD Candidate at the same institution. *This story originally appeared on The Conversation and shared here via a Creative Commons license Read the original article.

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