There’s nothing sweeter than when your cute little kitten rests on your lap and kneads your legs with her paws. It’s the equivalent of a kitten massage! Through this display of affection and contentment, your kitten is displaying a natural behaviour that goes all the way back to the day she was born.
Mother’s milk
When your kitten was tiny, she would knead her paws against her mother’s body while suckling – instinctive behaviour that makes the milk flow faster. That’s why kneading is sometimes known as “milk-treading”. By keeping up this behaviour as she gets older, your kitten is showing you how safe and contented she feels.
Sharp claws
As lovely as those little massages can be, things can sometimes get a bit uncomfortable! When your kitten’s claws dig in to your thighs, try not to push her away or tell her off – her mother would never have done this, and she might feel confused. Instead, just put a thick blanket or towel across your lap before she jumps on. And next time you take her to the vet, check to see if her claws need a quick trim.