What the hell is my cat doing?

[Allenberg]

I keep a mink blanket folded on my couch for napping. My cat, however, likes to sit on her hind legs, and stretch her front two paws out in front of her, and will push down on the blanket with her paws...kind of like she's kneading it. It seems to satisfy her and make her relax.

What the hell is she doing?

[KitchenWitch]

1. she is "hugging" the blanket

It is a sign of affection.

[alittlelark]

2. she's 'nursing'.... a lot of cats do it.

[Ian David]

3. It's called "a milk tread"

She's trying to breastfeed from your mink blanket.

btw... has anyone told you lately that mink is murder?

Link / info added on edit
http://www.ivillage.com/pets/expert/behavior/pages/0,13523,261732_527483,00.html

Feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat, says:
Kneading behavior, otherwise known as "the milk tread," is a holdover from kittenhood. During nursing, the young kittens would "knead" the mother's teat to stimulate milk flow. As kittens grow they often retain that milk tread behavior whenever they're feeling comfortable on a soft, warm surface or when they feel very safe and protected. It's a wonderful sign that your cat is feeling very secure and relaxed. It's not at all unusual to see an adult cat display this behavior. I love it when my cats cuddle with me in bed and begin kneading (just as long as I've trimmed their nails beforehand).

Best,
Pam Johnson-Bennett

[Allenberg]

7. My, my...

that's rather informative.

Thanks for the info. :)

(PS - It's faux mink. :D )

[Ian David]

10. I don't care if it's faux

I was just giving you a hard time anyway.

I love furr, and I love eating all kinds of animals.

If we aren't supposed to eat animals, why did god make them out of meat?


http://mtd.com/tasty/

[loudestchick]

11. ROTFLMAO!!! My husband is a vegetarian...hard core...won't

even wear leather shoes...I love a good filet mignon!

[demnan]

4. She's nursing your blanket.

[shraby]

5. I don't know why they do that, but all

the cats I've ever had will do it when they're relaxed and comfortable.

[NoSheep]

6. Nursing! Some call it "making biscuits"!

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. My cats do that all the time.

Except my one cat manages to knead his paws into my side when I am trying to sleep. :grr:

[Boomer]

9. She's just being a cat

Be glad she's not kneading your stomach, your face or other soft tender areas that my cats seem to like best. Fortunately, they also consider the sofa cushion an acceptable substitute.

Kneading is probably related to the soothing, comforting act of nursing. Kittens knead their mother's stomach as they nurse, which seems to give her pleasure, and a good time is had by all. The nursing behavior fades away, of course, but the kneading often remains.

My cats seem to do it when they're especially happy or relaxed. The motion is accompanied by purring and even drooling.