Why does a cat "knead" or "make biscuits"?
When a kitten is nursing, it typically kneads its paws against its mother, either as a sign of contentment or to encourage the milk flow. When the cat matures, it kneads to show its contentment and pleasure.
http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/whycat.htmOne reason why cats knead paws stems from their kittenhood. Kittens must nurse their mother to get life-sustaining milk. Kneading mom's teats stimulates the let-down response, causing the milk to flow more freely. The movements are instinctive, and since they incur a reward, kitty naturally transfers the behavior to other places and things in the hope of more good things to come.[...]
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Why_Cats_Knead_PawsQ: Why do cats "knead" with their claws?
Like purring, kneading is a sign of happiness. It is a throwback to when they were kittens. Kittens knead at their mother's teats to speed the flow of milk. Purring usually accompanies kneading and adult cats normally knead when sitting on a favorite person's lap or settling down to sleep.
http://www.petpublishing.com/catkit/faq.shtmlDrooling cats - kneading cats - Cats that drool and knead
[...]This drooling is usually accompanied with the kneading of the cat's paws. This paw kneading action is identical to that performed by nursing kittens and it is this behaviour that the cat is reproducing involuntarily in adulthood. Those adult cats that do drool/knead, often choose sweaters, coats or other clothing reminiscent of their original suckling environments. There, the nursing kittens kneaded their paws on their mothers, to stimulate milk flow from their teats.
http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-61.htmKneading
Kneading is when a cat extends and retracts its claws, usually when it is resting on its owner's lap. This behaviour comes from kittenhood, kittens knead their mother while suckling to make the milk flow more freely. Adult cats will do this when they feel safe and contented. They see their owners as surrogate mothers and, as pampered pets, will retain some kitten characteristics through their adult life. If the cat dribbles or sucking of the owners clothes happens whilst kneading, the cat in question will probably have been taken from its mother too early and never had a chance to grow out of the behaviour naturally. These behaviours are usually for life.
http://www.moggies.co.uk/behaviour.html#kneadingKNEADING YOU WITH HIS PAWS
Most people realize that when their cat kneads your stomach with his paws, he is showing his love for you. Usually, the cat will have a very special, loving expression on his face; he may be purring, and he may even be drooling slightly. Your cat is back in touch with his instincts as a kitten when he does this, and feeling the same sense of comfort and warmth that he did as a kitten when he was with his mother. Young kittens knead their mother's nipples to stimulate the "let down" reflex in her so that her milk flows for the kittens to suckle. If his kneading behavior is uncomfortable for you, be sure to keep your cat's nails clipped short, and maybe keep an extra towel around to pad the area he is kneading!
http://www.hdw-inc.com/behaviorswhy.htm[...]Several theories exist for the behavior. Some people think it stems from them being weaned too young. Some think it is because they were weaned too late. The most logical explanation, however, is that it's simply a comfort behavior that cats remember from when they are babies. Nursing kittens use similar paw and arm movements to stimulate milk flow from their mothers' breasts. Momma cat also kneads the sleeping area to create a nice soft surface for her and her kittens. Whatever the precise reason for kneading, one thing is for sure: A kneady cat is a happy cat.
http://www.petplace.com/cats/why-do-cats-knea...Your cat's kneading behavior is sign of contentment and affection. It's a throwback to kittenhood where a kitten would knead the queen's teat in order to stimulate lactation. In adult cats, they often knead (otherwise known as the milk tread) when they are on a soft, warm material and feel very comfortable and safe. It is a loving, precious gesture and although it can sometimes hurt if a cat's claws haven't been trimmed lately,[...]
http://www.catchannel.com/experts/pam_johnson...Treteln
Beim Treteln vollzieht die Katze leichte Trampelbewegungen mit gespreizten Pfoten, wobei die Krallen abwechseln ein- und ausgefahren werden. Kleine Katzenkinder treteln bei der Mutter und bearbeiten damit das Gesäuge, um den Milchfluss anzuregen. Auch viele ältere Katzen treteln und suchen sich dafür meist ihre menschliche Bezugsperson aus. Eine Katze tretelt in Situationen, in denen sie sich rundum wohl fühlt. Es ist für den Menschen ein großer Liebesbeweis durch die Katze, der allerdings recht schmerzhaft sein kann.
http://www.kuschelkatzen.de/webkatzen/tippska...Das Treteln zum Beispiel ist eine typische Bewegung, die kleine Katzen machen, wenn Sie an der Zitze der Mutter saugen und den Milchfluss anregen wollen. Wer schon groß ist, erinnert sich wohl gerne daran zurück... Manche Katzen können es gar nicht lassen und verbinden das Treteln mit einem Nuckeln (z.B. an der Kleidung).
Eine tretelnde Katze ist entspannt und fühlt sich rundum wohl.
http://www.planet-wissen.de/pw/Artikel,,,,,,,...Treteln
Beim Treteln vollzieht die Katze leichte Trampelbewegungen mit gespreizten Pfoten, wobei die Krallen abwechselnd ein- und ausgefahren werden. Kleine Katzenkinder treteln bei der Mutter und bearbeiten damit das Gesäuge, um den Michlfluss anzuregen. Auch viele ältere Katzen (allen voran unser Filou!) treteln und suchen sich dafür meist ihre menschliche Bezugsperson aus. Eine Katze tretelt in Situationen, in denen sie sich rundum wohl fühlt. Es ist für den Menschen ein großer Liebesbeweis durch die Katze, der allerdings recht schmerzhaft sein kann
http://www.katzen-life.de/Katzensprache/index...Treteln (Milchtritt): Katzenwelpen treteln bei der Mutter und bearbeiten damit das Gesäuge, um den Milchfluss anzuregen. In Situationen, in den sich ausgewachsene Katzen rundum wohl fühlen, treteln sie bei ihrer Bezugeperson. Dazu vollzieht die Katze mit gespreizten Pfoten leichte Trampelbewegungen, bei denen die Krallen ein- und ausgefahren werden.
http://www.animalprotection.de/haustiere1.kat...Treteln ist der Milchtritt der Katze. Sie macht dabei massierende, stampfende
Bewegung - langsam und gleichmäßig, fast wie in Zeitlupe. Dies ist die gleiche
Bewegung, die sie als Säugling machen mußte, um den Milchfluß bei der Mutter
anzuregen. Gleichzeitig trainiert und kräftigt dies den Einzieh- und
Ausstreckmechanismus der Krallen. Katzen, die früh von ihrer Mutter getrennt
wurden, neigen besonders zum Treteln. Aber auch Tiere, die spät oder gar nicht
von der Mutter weggenommen wurden, zeigen hin und wieder dieses Verhalten.
http://www.katzenwunderwelt.de/modules.php?na...or
http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:xyJGuKIe...(html version)
