为什么猫咪喜欢贴着你?原因震惊到我了
It may be one of the nicest feelings in the world when your cat, settling in for a nap, alternately presses their front paws into your lap. This is called kneading , and there's a heart-melting reason why it's such a special part of your relationship with your cat. The kneading action actually starts right from when kittens are born - one of its functions is to stimulate milk production in the mothers' mammary glands. Other behaviours that accompany the action indicate that it's a juvenile behaviour carried over into adulthood, so it doesn't mean the cat is trying to make you produce milk. It's usually accompanied by purring and followed by a nap - both behaviours that are also observed in kittens during and after feeding. According to a veterinarian-run website, adult cats in the wild use their paws and claws to tread down and soften a small area for sleeping. And, since cats have scent glands in their paw pads, they're probably also indulging in a bit of territorialism, marking you or their bed as their property. It is important to note that, despite popular belief, kneading is not the sign of a cat who was weaned too early - most cats seem to do it. Even if they're trying to squish you down to make a bed or trying to mark you as their property, a cat kneading you means you are very loved, in that special kitty way. "If you do have a cat who kneads their bedding, or better yet you, it's because they're feeling very loved and comfortable," Katie Armour said. "You should absolutely take this as a compliment!" |