Cats and kilts

[auld argonian]

The kneading behavior (or "making muffins" as I have heard it called) is interesting...some of our old cats used to just knead us...on the lap, on the belly...if you were laying in bed on your stomach you would suddently find a cat kneading your butt at three in the morning.

I've always wanted to find out what the real motivation for the kneading and the wool chewing behaviors is...I've heard a lot of speculation and most of it sounds improbable. The possibility always remains that the only motivation that a cat has for any one of these behaviors is that he just enjoys being a pain in the ***...for a cat, that's enough.

Best

AA

[Wompet]

Kneading stimulates the scent glands in the paws. So, in effect, the cat is marking you as its property. Which, as far as scent marking goes, it is the least offensive method I can think of.

[cloves]

kittens do the "kneading thing" when they nurse too don't they? I had heard it was some sort of throwback to their kitten days, that when a cat felt most comfortable it was just instinct to do that behavior.

[smaughazard]

My cats are fascinated by the swing of the kilt- I've even had a kitten grab a pleat and swing along. They're also curious about the fur-front sporran with its dangling tassels.

And cat hair sure likes my SWK Black Shadow…

[Southern Breeze]

.
And cat hair sure likes my SWK Black Shadow…

Personal experiance tells me that's an understatement.

[Moose McLennan]

...
And cat hair sure likes my SWK Black Shadow…

We have three cats, tell me about it...
The best way to get cat hair off the kilt is with one of those big handbrushes with rubber bristles.

M.

[pbpersson]

You guys said I should wear this denim kilt at every opportunity to help break it in but Friday night when I went to put it on I found it on top of my bed and I discovered that my 18-pound cat Jack had decided the denim kilt was HIS new bed. He was asleep on it and he looked so happy!

I woke him up and told him it was time to get off my kilt and he just gave me a blank look. I gave him a shove to get him off and he gave me a look like WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM??

I finally had to roll him off the kilt and then he grabbed my wrist with his big mouth just to let me know how unhappy he was that I was stealing his bed.

I thanked him for helping me break in the new denim kilt but I don't know if having a large cat sleep on it really helps. :confused:

[mddock58]

Sounds like you have a pretty normal cat there!

[Mike1]

kittens do the "kneading thing" when they nurse too don't they? I had heard it was some sort of throwback to their kitten days, that when a cat felt most comfortable it was just instinct to do that behavior.

You are correct, nursing kittens do knead.

Actually, kneading is a better indication of a cat's comfort level than purring, as stressed cats will often purr up a storm.

This silver ball of fur on my desk is snoring at present, which seems to be her expression of maximum comfort.

[Southern Breeze]

Most people don't believe cats snore. I "inherited" my current cat from my Grandmother who died in May of 2005. She had the cat and a small dog (a Shitszu). She was bedfast before she died and the dog would sleep on one side of her and the cat on the other. And all three would be snoring.