Hi - we're the new owners of a 3yr old female. She's absolutely gorgeous and has settled in great. We also rehoused a 2yr old non Bengal male (from the same home) and they get on great together. I've had many cats over the years, but this behaviour has got us stumped!

She loves nothing nicer than lying on your lap snoozing, but also loves to grab a bit of jumper or top in her mouth and then begins this kneading motion on you. It can last for a few minutes and she seems to love it.

Both cats have been spayed. Any suggestions? Is this something that is specific to Bengals?

Thanks for your help.

Kazza

Purr, purr, paddle, paddle, purr, purr.... I've got one on my lap doing the same

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Martin

It is perfectly normal. Lara does it too, but only for me. She also looks me deep in to my eyes and purrs

I think it's pretty common in all kinds of cats. I tell them I'm soft enough already and no matter how much they knead me, I'm not getting any softer!

yeh mine do it & so have my moggies over the years. it is an idea to clip the tips off the claws so it doesn't hurt when she does it

"paddy paws" is what it gets called in my house, but also known as "kneading" "making puddings" & "paddling" lol...funny creatures aren't they?

Thanks for the replies - I've had the kneading before with other cats, but definitely not the holding onto the jumper bit with their mouth while their doing it!

Is this common?

Kazza

it can happen, my youngest one of 6 months likes to hold my wrist while she does it...very gently, it doesn't hurt, but she just likes to grip me softly with her teeth. i tried to discourage it at first, thinking it may turn aggressive but it hasn't...it's just a funny little trait.

they are all different, so individual in their personalities

Ahh kneading its a great sign of contentment, i also love it when they are in hunting mode & they hunker down & wiggle to get a good grip before launching themselves at their target !!

awww yes!!! the bum wiggle!!! one of the cutest things ever!

Thanks everyone

Kazza

All mine knead, and also 'suck' a small mongolian rug. They think it is their Mummy and the kneading is obviously the action they use to express Mummy's milk

I have had kittens who have sucked/kneaded their own nipples. They lean forward, sit upright and have a good 'drink'! The funniest kitten though actually used to suck his own 'man bit'!! The owners thought it was funny/cute etc.. until visitors turned up! The worst thing was, he didn't grow out of it until he was 2 years old!

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

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Tracey

Sammie has a ritual she does every day when we wake up. The minute she knows I am awake and paying attention to her she jumps up, and starts kneading her blanket very intensively, purring, and staring at me. Then she''ll headbutt me and her butt, and just keep kneading and kneading and kneading This can go on for 15 minutes and she's so cute I can't leave her.

OMG... SO WEIRD!

As I started typing this Sammie jumped onto the couch, headbutted my monitor a bit, then me, and starting purring and kneading the top of the couch and now is next to me on the blanket doing it. She's never done this before.... !!!

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Sammie & Ari


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