Why do cats knead with their paws ?
It’s a reach back to their kitten-hood, when they were being nursed, says Karen Duncan, president of the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA). Kittens “knead” their mothers while nursing to stimulate the mammary glands to produce more milk. Duncan explains, “They are very content at the time, being fed and safe. Adult cats retain this association and engage in kneading when they are particularly happy and comfortable.” Do cats really land on their feet? The answer is a qualified yes. “They land on their feet, but only when they have enough time and height for the “righting mechanism” to work,” says Amy D. Shojai, CABC, certified animal behavior consultant and author of PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household. Cats need at least two and a half feet to be able to twist in mid-air and land with a four-paw landing, Shojai explains, adding, “Falls from a child’s arms may not allow for this.” Also keep in mind that a four-footed landing doesn’t mean the
