Cats Nursing: What They're Up To!

Watch a cat paw at the milk, its tiny paws rhythmically opening and closing, as if it's giving itself a gentle massage on a soft surface. From a distance, it seems as though it's waving its paws in a playful greeting; paired with the beat of music, it's almost as if the cat is dancing to the rhythm.

Have you ever wondered why cats engage in this adorable behavior?

Instinctual Response

Indeed, pawing at the milk is an instinctual behavior for cats. This form of massage involves the cat regularly pressing and lifting its front paws alternately on a soft surface.

Not all cats use the same method of massage, and some may not lift their paws at all.

This behavior is a leftover habit from kittenhood. When a kitten needs to nurse, it uses its front paws to rhythmically paw at the milk, encouraging milk to be secreted from the mother cat's body.

Expressing Friendliness

For those who care for many cats, it's important to note that while they are the same species, not all cats can be friends. Cat owners can learn about their pets' relationships by observing their interactions. Generally, when cats are close and intimate, they may even give each other a pawing massage. If your cat frequently does this, it's a sign that they are actually getting along quite well.

Relieving Stress

As we all know, life can be filled with stressful events, and cats are no exception. Humans have their own unique stressrelief methods, like running or singing. Cats, on the other hand, use pawing at the milk as their stress reliever. When cats are at leisure, they use this behavior to relax and unwind.

Especially during times of tension and nervous stress, this method can help alleviate pressure. This action allows them to let go of burdens and be themselves, as if the warmth of their mother is still with them.

Claiming Territory

It's wellknown that when dogs pass through unfamiliar territory, they may urinate to claim it as their own. Cats do the same with pawing. By pawing at the carpet or other areas in their home, cats mark their territory, signaling to others that this space is theirs.

Experienced cat owners will know that cats enjoy marking their territory by pawing at soft surfaces and sometimes by releasing scents through biting objects around the home.

Expressing Joy

If your cat likes to paw at you, don't be quick to get upset. Some cats enjoy this behavior on their human companions, indicating a close bond and a desire to share their happiness. By using this action, they are telling their owners how joyful they are.

In daily life, cats and their owners spend a lot of time together, naturally developing a sense of dependence. Therefore, when a cat is with its owner, it feels happy and naturally engages in this behavior, expressing its current state of happiness. It is then the owner's role to join in and enjoy this moment of happiness with their feline friends!