Why do cats knead a person’s blanket with their paws, massage people with their paws

Very often, owners of furry pets notice that a cat crumples a blanket, bed or human body with its paws. Sometimes this happens before they are about to lie down or after eating. Not all owners understand why cats knead the blanket with their paws and purr. And there are at least eight different reasons for this, which can tell a lot about the character of the pet. Read more about why this happens and what effect it has on a person below. After this, you will begin to appreciate the cat’s attention more and even learn to take advantage of the benefits of such a massage.

Why cats knead their paws - the main reasons

You've probably seen a cat trample on a person with its front paws. Why do muskies massage a person’s paws, a pillow, a soft blanket or a fluffy blanket? There is no clear answer to this question. Many owners are interested in what is the reason for such touching behavior of their pets, but experts disagree and name several reasons.

The first thing you should know is that cats have well-developed tactile senses. Their springy paw pads and sensitive whiskers help them explore the world. The paws contain many receptors and glands that secrete special enzymes. In addition, when cats knead their paws, they release their claws and accompany this process with loud rumbling sounds or purring. Some purrs even snort with pleasure. This phenomenon is called a “milk step” and speaks of a special attitude towards a person or object.

Experts identify several reasons why a cat reaches out to a person and tramples him with her paws, as well as the objects around her:

Stress relief. Often, cats are very worried, and even experience real shock, because of going to the veterinarian, bathing or trimming their claws. An offended or upset pet begins to trample the furniture and releases its claws. The body produces a portion of endorphins necessary to calm the nervous system, so this process cannot be interrupted; the cat may even bite.
Childhood memories. Cats trample with their front paws a person or soft objects due to instincts originating from infancy. After birth, the kittens massage the mother cat's belly to improve milk flow. Animals associate the feeding period with warmth and comfort, just as it does with people. By kneading the soft blanket or belly of its beloved owner with its front paws, the cat returns to carefree times of satiety and safety.
Preparing a place to sleep is one of the natural instincts of cats. In their natural environment, animals crush grass and leaves, creating a comfortable resting place. Scientists say that many animals, including humans, have this instinct. Some, for example, press the pillow under themselves or fluff it up so that it is more comfortable to sleep.
Mating season. During heat, cats begin to trample on the blanket, purr like a tractor, and arch their backs. Experts recommend leaving the pet alone and not interfering with its natural instincts. This condition will go away after a few weeks or during pregnancy.
Expression of feelings. Cats massage their owner's body or clothing with their paws, thereby expressing their love and affection. Scientists note the beneficial effects of such actions on a person’s psycho-emotional state.
Hunting instinct. Some cats obey ancient instincts when they trample objects with their front paws. In their natural environment, whiskers explored the surface with their paws for safety purposes.
Designation of territories. On the pads of a cat's paws there are glands that secrete special enzymes. Many males mark their territory in this way.

Observe your pet's behavior. This will help you identify the reason for this strange, but very touching behavior.

Results

Cats are very sweet pets, whose presence in the house can bring real joy to their owner. You need to understand that sharpening its claws is a natural behavior of any cat, so you should not scold it for such actions. If you don’t like this cat’s “activity,” simply switch the cat’s attention to another object or toy. Treat your pet kindly, and he will definitely reciprocate you with love.

What cats don't trample on humans?

Not all cats paw at the blanket or press their owner's belly. It doesn't depend on the breed, it's just that not all purrs have this instinct. Don't worry if your pet doesn't give you a massage, this in no way means that he doesn't love you. Perhaps the kitten grew up without a mother and was bottle-fed, and therefore there was no need to stimulate milk production.

Interesting things on the site:
Top 15 calmest cat breeds
Hypoallergenic cat breeds

Comes from childhood

I know that I have had massage skills since birth. It was a long time ago, I don’t even remember my cat mother, but guess what, the “milk step” remains.

I don’t even notice how I switch to it if I feel soft under my paws. Apparently, the involuntary squeezing and unclenching of fingers was deeply ingrained in the child’s subconscious. After all, when you knead the warm, soft belly of a postpartum mother, you will get more milk, but it’s still delicious. You people will never understand this, you love chocolate more.

What the owner can and cannot do

So, we have already found out that one of the reasons for paw massage is the manifestation of a special attitude towards a person. There is an opinion that cats thus share their positive energy with their beloved owner and absorb negative energy. How to behave in a situation when your pet crushes you or the blanket with its paws?

First of all, remember that you cannot shout, punish or hit your pet! The owner’s aggressive behavior can cause the cat to withdraw into itself or, worse, become embittered. Also, you should not trim your nails too short or remove them completely during heat.

If the cat releases its claws during the massage, and this causes discomfort to you, take care of their length. You can also resort to these tricks:

Pat the paws on top. This will cause the cat to hide its claws.
Place a blanket or pillow under your pet's paws.
Stroke the cat on the head, lay it on its back or on its side to change the intensity of the effect.
Distract your pet's attention with a plush toy.

Advice. Do not limit your cat’s impulses to show affection and care; on the contrary, encourage such behavior.

What not to do when your cat gets too carried away and shows her claws

These animals react poorly to sharp sounds. If you scream, use physical force, or react sharply to your pet’s actions, it can suffer severe stress. This will certainly be followed by unpleasant consequences: he will avoid tactile contact, begin to spoil personal belongings, or mark territory where you do not want him to be.

Such actions will only create a gap between you. But a pet is a source of endless devotion, gratitude and positive emotions.

If distraction techniques do not work, you should accustom the cat to the scratching post, thereby instilling an association: where it is possible to let out its claws and where it is not. For this we recommend:

The benefits of communicating with a cat

Felinotherapy is a therapeutic technique that helps a person relax, normalize peace of mind and even speed up the healing process. Scientists have found that cats subtly sense their owner’s mood and help relieve stress. That is why the teaching does not recommend refusing to show signs of attention from the cat. It has been scientifically proven that a cat's purring can relieve stress and nervous tension.

Purring also helps thicken bones and help heal fractures. A similar effect is achieved thanks to the frequency of sound vibrations, which is 20-50 Hz.

The positive effects of purring and paw massage have been found in patients with cerebral palsy, schizophrenia and autism. Constant communication with cats contributes to the socialization of children. By caring for a pet, children learn to make friends.

Cat therapy

When a kitten crushes objects or a person with its paws, it also has a beneficial therapeutic effect on its owner - it gives him its energy and takes away bad mood, depression, fatigue and negativity. In alternative medicine, it is known that massage with a cat has healing powers.

In some situations, this technique is even specifically used:

Cats can alleviate negative symptoms for people with autism, cerebral palsy, or people with various disabilities.
Sometimes these pets are able to help a person get rid of chronic diseases through a strong energy field.
Cats can ease symptoms after inflammatory processes or reduce post-operative manifestations.
People who have cats in their homes are less susceptible to viral and infectious diseases.
Cat energy can help heal bone fractures.
The purring of your pet will calm you down after a hard, busy day, help you overcome stress and strengthen your nervous system.

Cats also have unique intuitive feelings - they try to be alone with their owner if they feel that he is feeling bad or is very upset. If a person has pain in some place, the cat can lie down on the painful area. It is believed that cats sense the approaching death of their owner, so when this occurs they try to be close to him.

Such incredible qualities of pets should be appreciated, responding to them with love and care for their affection towards the owner.

Reasons why your pet starts purring

They often begin to purr from receiving positive emotions. This could simply be the cat’s good mood, or the owner’s affection, gratitude for food, or a demand for attention.

Cats support humans with their purring. They feel if the owner is sick or unwell, negative emotions inside us, as if their eyes see our thermal field.

They can also be triggered by something bad. For example, if a cat is very hungry, food is taken away from it, or it is stressed and anxious. The cat selects its own level of tone for each situation, developing treatment and prevention properties.

Kittens up to a month old

It is strictly not recommended to adopt a kitten that is less than a month old. At this age the pet:

cannot develop properly without mother's milk;
needs survival lessons from mom;
unable to independently understand the environment.

Mother cat, together with breast milk, provides babies with a complete supply of micro- and macroelements necessary for development and strengthening the immune system. No artificial nutrition can be a high-quality replacement for natural food. In addition, kittens that are among brothers and sisters next to their mother receive their first important skills. Before a month, babies do not have time to learn all the necessary lessons. The presence of a cat makes it easier for kittens to get used to the tray and complementary foods.

The instinct of self-preservation

In a cat tribe, it is important not only to mark your territory, but also to prepare a place for rest for yourself and family members. Suddenly some bad “snake” crawls in unnoticed, and I don’t even notice. After all, like all cats, I am a very versatile girl: I want to look out the window, run to the toilet, and eat delicious food. That's why I check my sleeping place every evening before going to bed - I crumple the blanket with my paws.

Sense of ownership

Many cat lovers do not share this theory at all, which does not diminish its right to exist. It is known that cats have small glands on their paws that secrete a specific secretion. This odorous substance, inaccessible to the human sense of smell, is used by animals to leave marks. So it seems quite likely that the explanation is that cat massage is just a way to mark your person, to declare his belonging.

At the same time, it is interesting to note the fact that most often, insecure, timid and weak animals trample. Perhaps the mark reduces stress levels and allows the pet to feel calmer and more confident.

Dancing under the moon

They say that during the mating season, cats dance in front of their chosen one: a female in love shows her “step”. I didn’t have to learn and show my dancing talent - they sterilized me early, but in return they offered me smart clothes. I showed off in it: I understood and forgave people. What to take from them. Everything that is done is for the better. Life goes on...

My home friend spoils me in every possible way, takes care of me and loves me. I feel my master’s love with every fiber of my soul, so I don’t hold any grudges.