[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

4378.0. "Puzzeled" by MTADMS::BUNIS () Tue Feb 12 1991 14:38

    Hi,
    I'm new to this file and would like to get some info. I have
    two kittens. One a female named Mazzie who is 12 weeks old,
    and a male named Bro who is 7 weeks old. Mazzie had to stay
    overnight at the Vet because of a loose stomach , and Bro has
    been acting a little different since she has gone.
     Mazzie is very independent and Bro is a little affectionate
    ball of fur. Since Mazzie left Bro has been following us
    all over and doesen't want to play much. He also is kneading
    with his paws constantly. Does any one know what this constant
    kneading means?
    
      Thanks in advance for the info.
    
    Marty
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
4378.1Congrads on your two new "babies", BTW....BOOVX1::MANDILETue Feb 12 1991 15:227
    There are lots of theories on the kneading.......
    This is what kittens do to the mommy kitty while
    they are nursing.  (Makes the milk flow faster?)
    Anyway, I and many others consider it a sign
    of contentment.  Don't worry about it.
    
    Lynne
4378.2He misses herWILLEE::MERRITTTue Feb 12 1991 16:0013
    It sounds like Bro misses Mazzie.   Don't be too surprised if
    Bro totally ignores Mazzie when you bring her home.  She will
    have that yucky VET scent and Bro might even spit at her.  They
    will be back to normal in no time.
    
    About the kneeding...I have one cat that loves to kneed on
    my Afgan.  While she does this she purrs up a storm...and it
    is the only time she purrs.  I agree that it is a sign of
    complete contentment.  Nothing to worry about.
    
    Welcome to the notesfile and good luck with your little ones.
    
    Sandy
4378.3Withdrawal symptoms!YUPPY::DAVIESABaptism of fire, phoenix callWed Feb 20 1991 11:0318
    
    Only one of my cats, Christie, kneads....
    It is pretty darned painful - she only kneads *me*, and only when I'm
    wearing cotton. She also dribbles at the same time.
    
    I'd been told that this is related to milk-sucking activities as a
    kitten and could indicate that she was weaned a little to early -
    however, her brother was weaned at the same time and doesn't have this
    problem. But she does purr while she's doing it, so I don't get too
    angry - and I don't think I could stop her if I tried!
    
    I suspect that Bro is reverting to "baby cat" behaviour as a sort of
    reassuring thing because he misses Mazzie. Just like children do when
    they're first separated. I'm sure he'll get back to normal soon after
    she returns - meanwhile, a bit of extra fussing might not go amiss
    (as if you could resist fussing a little kitty anyway!)
    
    'gail
4378.4CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Thu Feb 21 1991 07:4012
    Several of my cats knead and drool too.  I suggest you trim
    Christie's claws.  That will make the activity a lot less painful
    for  you!!  Bonnie likes to knead my hair at night and with sharp
    claws that gets pretty painful.
    
    I used to think that the kneading had something to do with being
    weaned too early, but now I believe that its just a cat's way of 
    expressing extreem contentment and, in some cases, of reassuring 
    itself.  Personally, I can't think of anything I enjoy more than
    laying in a warm waterbed with several cats purring and kneading.
    Now that's heaven!
      Nancy DC