In our day-to-day life with our cats, we are often surprised by certain strange behaviors and wonder what they mean and if they could be a bad sign. Much of these behaviors, as peculiar as they may seem to us, are completely natural and are part of the social behavior of cats, playing an important role in their interactions with other animals and people. However, in some specific cases, behavioral changes can develop as a result of stress, boredom or some diseases that impact the usual behavior of the kittens.
In this article on our site we will try to answer a frequently asked question among tutors: “ Why does my cat act as if he were nursing?”. This doubt is usually related to two striking behaviors of their kittens: the first is the habit of sucking on objects or even parts of people's bodies, such as toes or hands; and the second consists of the custom of kneading their tutors, imitating a movement that they carry out with their parents during the lactation period. Have you seen your cat doing something similar to this? Well, read on to understand why and find out what you can do in each situation.
Why does my kitten act like he's nursing?
The first thing we need to understand is that cats mostly use body language to communicate with their peers, with other animals and also with their human companions. Therefore, we will see how they perform different behaviors and adopt different postures and facial expressions depending on the emotion they experience in each situation, the stimuli they perceive in their environment and, mainly, the message they want to convey to their interlocutors. As unusual as certain behaviors may seem to us, in many cases, they are part of the way of being and interacting with our cats, so it is not necessary or advisable to reprimand them for carrying out perfectly natural actions within their species.
Usually when a guardian asks why their cat is nursing, they are referring to the kneading habit that some adult cats perform as if preparing to express milk from the teats of his parent. As we explain in detail in the article on "Why do cats knead?", kneading is an instinctive behavior of cats that actually dates back to the neonatal period of their development, which begins after birth. When they are newborns and have not yet opened their eyes, kittens depend entirely on their mothers to survive and feed, since they can only consume their mother's milk and have very limited sensory abilities and mobility. The “kneading” movement, in this period, fulfills the key function of stimulating the production of colostrum which, in a short time, becomes breast milk. By "kneading" the belly region of their parents, where the mammary glands are located, the kittens exert slight pressure, opening and closing their fingers to activate and retract their small retractable claws. In this way, they promote the production and release of essential food for the optimal development of your body and the strengthening of your immune system.
The repetition of this instinctive behavior tends to decrease as kittens approach the weaning period, when they gain more autonomy and can begin to try new foods beyond mother's milk, in addition to increase water intake, thus preparing to feed and survive on their own.
Why do adult cats keep kneading?
Although we know the origin of this behavior, it is not so easy to determine the exact reason why many cats continue to develop it in adulthood, considering that they can perform it in different situations. So, to identify the reason that leads your kitty to knead you, you should pay attention to other aspects of his body language while he performs this action and evaluate the context in which he develops it.
Likewise, below, we summarize the main reasons that can explain why an adult cat acts as if it were nursing, that is, kneading:
- To show affection: kneading can be a demonstration of affection from cats towards their humans or even towards other people and animals in their liking. In addition to being natural, this is usually an excellent sign that a cat has been properly socialized and can not only live positively with other individuals, but also enjoy their company.
- Because he's happy: Like purring, "kneading" is one of the typical "childhood" behaviors that the cat can assimilate positively in adulthood, reproducing them in those comforting moments, in which he feels particularly comfortable and relaxed in his environment. Here we also talk about a positive signal that allows us to perceive that the pussycat feels safe and comfortable in his home to carry out this behavior.
- To release their pheromones and "mark" you as theirs: Another way cats express their love for guardians is to impregnate them with their pheromones so that other cats and animals feel their characteristic scent and know that this person is their property. In addition to rubbing against your legs or rubbing his face against yours, your cat may also knead you to "mark" you as part of his territory and communicate to others that you are his.
- For a better rest: Adult cats don't always knead their guardians or other people and animals, but they can also with objects, especially with the blanket, bed or cushion where they usually sleep. This habit is also completely natural and means that the pussycat is preparing to enjoy a good nap, preparing his rest area and trying to feel more comfortable and relaxed before going to bed. In addition, this is a behavior carried out instinctively by pregnant cats, especially when the time of delivery approaches and they need to prepare the nest for the birth of their puppies.
- Because they need to stretch: Cats also need to stretch the muscles of their body, mainly when waking up, to relieve tension and ensure a better flexibility when moving. If your cat tends to knead right after his naps, it's probably for this reason.
Why is my cat sucking on me like she wants to nurse?
Now, let's move on to this question that usually comes up when the guardian observes his adult cat sucking or sucking on an object, such as a blanket, a toy or a pillow, or some part of his body, such as fingers and toes, as if trying to nurse. Unfortunately, this behavior does not usually have the positive connotations of kneading, but is often associated with stress or boredom A cat that does not have an enriched environment, with toys and accessories that allow him to exercise and stimulate his mind, he will probably look for other ways (not always positive) to entertain himself and spend his energy. In this context, they can carry out certain unusual behaviors, such as spending part of the day sucking on objects, or even destructive behaviors, such as scratching all the furniture in the home and breaking objects by jumping all over the house.
In addition, the accumulation of tension can lead to the development of stress symptoms and complex behavior problems, such as aggressiveness. Nor should we forget that the absence of an enriched environment, which encourages the regular practice of physical exercise, makes it difficult to manage a he althy weight and favors overweight and problems associated he alth conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For all these reasons, be sure to take a look at our environmental enrichment tips for cats.
Beyond the danger inherent in its possible causes, this behavior, which may seem harmless at first glance, also involves certain risks to your cat's he alth, such as the possibility of choking on foreign bodies or ingesting elements that obstruct the correct intestinal transit (pieces of cloth, small ornaments, among others). This is aggravated if your cat develops the so-called " pica syndrome ", tending to swallow everything in his path, since he can ingest irritating substances, spoiled food or toxic plants. In this case, it is also essential to evaluate your cat's diet, since pica syndrome is often caused by nutritional deficiencies or even anemia.
In puppy cats, the habit of sucking on objects may also be associated with changes in their dentition The eruption of new teeth usually causes some discomfort in kittens, which they will seek to relieve by applying light pressure or a light rub in the region. And to prevent your partner from coming into contact with any dangerous substance or ingesting indigestible elements, you can offer them teethers or toys appropriate to their size and age.
Finally, if you have just adopted a baby cat and you notice that it tries to suckle you to nurse or you live with an adult cat and you observe that your cat suckles your other cat, you should know that this behavior may indicate that he has been prematurely separated from his mother and siblings, before the end of his weaning period, which may cause learning and socialization difficulties. If this is your case, on our site you will find some tips to help a newborn cat and a complete care guide for kittens, in which we explain their needs at each stage of their development.
