What makes a kitty knead with it's little front paws?

Question

My kitty is almost a year old. She wants to sit on my lap and knead forever. She seems to get into a trance like state when she's doing it. And, she doesn't do it to my husband.

Answer 1

My cat does the same thing and he is 2 years old. He does it when he purrs and does it to my mom. Maybe the cat didn't get enough milk from her mother because she was probably separated from her. She thinks your her mother and tries to knead on you.  

Answer 2

they do that when they are kittens when they nurse. they kneed the breast of the mother cat becouse it helps the milk flow, i guess they carry it on into adulthood

Answer 3

I love it when kitties knead!!  You're so lucky that your kitten is so bonded with you that she kneads your lap.  =)  They knead their mother's belly to produce milk while they're breastfeeding, and they purr the whole time they're doing it.  She obviously sees you as a mother.  Like someone above stated, it's a comfort thing, like sucking your thumb.  Some cats grow out of it, but some cats don't.  If you're having problems with her claws digging into you while she's doing it, be sure to trim them.  If you don't know how, your vet can show you how and what tools to use.

Answer 4

Its a natural instinct they learn from birth.Have a look at a litter of kittens feeding off their mother and you will see them kneading away endlessly.This is to stimulate a milk flow for them to feed off sweetie.They just never loose this im afraid.As they get older, its more a comfort thing really.

Its basically to stimulate milk when feeding.Hope it helped

Answer 5

I have a 3 year old cat that has done the kneading bit since we got here. She is letting you know that she loves, trusts and feels safe with you. It is also the way most cats make a comfortable bed. The kneading is suppose to move things around to a comfortable spot. She is also letting you know that she is happy and loves you. Some cats do this if they were taken away from their mother before they should have been. Some just do it because it is a part of their personality.

Answer 6

they're trying to dull thier claws buy them a scratching post

Answer 7

there content I think..   My cats do it too...  

Answer 8

It is like a kid sucking a thumb, they remember being with mon and nursing. They do it a lot if they left their mom too soon. They should be with their mom for 8 weeks

Answer 9

It's a way of making a comfortable sleeping area. My cat can knead a blanket for 15 minutes just to make it comfortable to sleep on! Here is a link with more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pundling