Cat Kneading Behavior and Cat Scratching
Why Do Cats Knead Things (and People)?
It is normal for a cat to knead an area he wants to make himself comfortable in, whether it is a sofa cushion or your lap, before lying down on it. A cat uses its front paws to knead. It will extend the claws and dig them into the surface in a left-right-left-right motion. Kneading, also called milk tread, is learned as a kitten. A kitten suckling from its mother will knead to help the milk flow faster. Adult cats perform kneading behaviors when they’re experiencing feelings of happiness, emotional security and contentment because they remember experiencing these feelings as a result of kneading behavior they performed when they were kittens.
Adult female cats may exhibit kneading behavior right before they come into heat.
Cats may also perform kneading behavior as a way of leaving territorial markings.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
One of the top reasons cats lose their homes and lives is destructive scratching. But if you understand why your cat scratches, you can prevent cat scratching by training him to use a scratching post or other approved target. This will save your furniture and preserve your furry friend.
It’s important to understand that scratching objects is natural for all cats. Cat scratching is hard-wired into the feline brain and is a natural instinctive behavior that can’t be stopped. Although surgery can eliminate nails, declawed cats may instead become biters, and/or avoid the litter box because of painful paws.
Cats don’t scratch furniture with malicious intent. Scratching is part of their regular self-maintenance program. By scratching a rough surface, they get rid of the outer sheath of the nail which is necessary for keeping the claws sharp and healthy.
Scratching also serves as communication. It may be a way to let others cats or people know where she is and what she is up to. It can also be a way to mark territory. Cats leave their scents when scratching because they have scent glands in their paws which we can’t smell, but other cats can.
Cats tend to pick a small number of conspicuous objects in their environments to scratch such as rugs, the corner of the couch, etc. and return to them repeatedly. The scratched surface leaves a highly visible mark that can be easily seen by other cats.
Scratching also allows the cat to release pent-up energy or emotional stress. It’s also a great aerobic exercise to stretch and tone the cat’s back, shoulder and foreleg muscles.
Cats also claw to comfort themselves during times of fear or stress, for example, when another cat is brought into the home.
Even the time of day and places where the cat scratches can help you understand why he does it. It may be a “good-morning” ritual to scratch your mattress, or a “hello” on the back door rug when you come home. Recognizing these locations and timing can help you match the ideal legal target to your cat’s preferences.
By understanding why cats scratch – and ways to train him to do it in an acceptable manner – the drastic measures or declawing a cat or even getting rid of it to end the scratching can be avoided.
SAVE YOUR FURNITURE AND RUGS…AND LET YOUR CAT SCRATCH TO HIS HEART’S CONTENT!
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