Does Your Cat Knead?

[BlckGrl]

Why doesn't my cat knead? Does he not love me or is unhappy?

Yes

No

Updates

+1 y

We also have a dog that's very hyper it may add slightly to their stress but they seem to be happy.

[petitedollbabee]

It can be a sign that he’s stressed. Has he always been this way or has he only recently stopped kneading? Have you had any life changes lately, like moving homes or bringing a new pet or partner into your life? If he’s never kneaded, then he could just be like that without it being caused by stress, if he still purrs and overall seems relaxed and happy?

[BlckGrl]

I've never seen him knead, I give him a lot of affection, he doesn't seem stressed but he is a very happy boy.

[petitedollbabee]

How long have you had him?

[BlckGrl]

6 months he comes from a very big family and can act sometimes feral, neither him or his brother knead. The brother cat is very fearful and scary

[petitedollbabee]

If he’s only young, then he might still be adjusting and be feeling stressed. Give it some time. As he gets older and settles, he should start kneading.

[BlckGrl]

Okay I will see.

[IslaTheWitch]

All my cats (and in peak, I had 10 at home) kneaded :D

It should come from instinct but can happen if the cat wasn't fed by his mother but by humans from the bottle kneading never developed.

[BlckGrl]

Interesting

[NathanDavis]

yes, they all have and do...

and they would usually do it on a warm and fuzzy blanket or clothing of mine... and if they feel like cuddling and snuggling too

does the cat lives with you only, or is there other people around as well?

[BlckGrl]

With me and my boyfriend, he has never kneaded and is a happy boy. We cuddle often

[NathanDavis]

a possibility or rather theory... is, that they separated from the mother very early... as the kneading is supposed to be their habit of feeding from the mother

but I think that it might be just their "personality" as, not all cats will behave exactly the same...

[NathanDavis]

if they are healthy and they are happy... then I would not worry about this

I've fostered around 27 kittens over the last years... and kept them till age 2 to even 4 and 5 months... and there's definitely a few things that some of them will or others will not

[BlckGrl]

They were separated very early that may be the cause but they are happy.

[NathanDavis]

that might be the case so... as long as they healthy and happy... great (=

[BlckGrl]

Thanks

[DryGermanGuy]

He did and it was unrelated to hunger. He would sit on my chest or leg and start purring while clawing my clothing.