topic Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats? in Pet Lovers

Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

ANewHue — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 01:37:49 GMT

I rescued two kittens last year. I have a duvet on my bed now but I have 3 or 4 new sets I would like to put on but I fear they will ruin them with their kneading. Now with Fall approaching I really want to do my bed pretty. Does anyone have any solutions? I can't lock them out because one of them has always called that room home

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Stevie Nix — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:12:38 GMT

Stopping the kneading would be impossible. Cats just do it. I had heard it mimicks the motion they used when they nursed from their mother. I gives them comfort.

You can give up on using good bedding, lock them out of the bedroom, or find an old comforter to cover your good stuff when they're on the bed. I do that for my dog so that she doesn't suck on my bedding.

Good luck!

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

sandraskates — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:22:25 GMT

I have no solution to the kneading but with 3 kitties of my own I know what you mean about the results.

I would suggest taking a blanket, throw, duvet or or something similar, fold it in half or in a third and run it along the foot of the bed, over your comforter (think of the fabric strip hotels now use in place of a full bedspread)

The kitties should gravite to it - you know how cats are about parking in the softest place!

Sometimes when I'm lying down and become the kitty mattress they knead on my tummy. If it makes them happy, it makes me happy.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Desertdi — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:23:28 GMT

Uh........it's a whole lot better than what some dogs do...................

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

denisemb — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:37:49 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
Uh........it's a whole lot better than what some dogs do...................

If you're referencing what I THINK you are, I had a neutered male cat that did that...first time, I was like what????? LOL

OP, I don't have the definitive solution, but mine really preferred soft, plushy type throws that I called "mama blankets" (like this one). Perhaps one thrown on your bed as suggested above?

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Fluke67 — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:41:47 GMT

I second the fuzzy kitty blanket solution. I keep kitty's at the foot of the bed and come bed time she automatically settles in on her blanket, after proper belly rubs, of course!

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 06:19:03 GMT

OP, are their nails clipped ?

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Desertdi — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 09:19:39 GMT

@denisemb wrote:
@Desertdi wrote:
Uh........it's a whole lot better than what some dogs do...................
If you're referencing what I THINK you are, I had a neutered male cat that did that...first time, I was like what????? LOL

OP, I don't have the definitive solution, but mine really preferred soft, plushy type throws that I called "mama blankets" (like this one). Perhaps one thrown on your bed as suggested above?

>^..^<......mmmmrrrrrOW.......YOW......eeeeee! This is Kitty again, and I just saw your picture........and I'm in love with you!!!!!!!

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

CalminHeart — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 11:10:58 GMT

Kneading is to cats what breathing is to you. You can't stop it.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Bird mama — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 14:40:04 GMT

We had a neighbor years ago who wanted to get rid of her Siamese cat. I believe the cat was taken from it's mother too soon as she wanted to suckle fingers and do the whammy (what my family called what you describe as kneading). We took the cat and she lived a very long life and never stopped the suckling or the whammy.

I would probably do as others suggested and get a fleece top blanket to cover whatever you want to protect.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

ANewHue — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:31:26 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
OP, are their nails clipped ?

Yes, every week and a half or so.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

GingerPeach — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:40:41 GMT

In general, a large part of living with animals is understanding and accepting their ways and adapting to them. And loving them in spite of, or often because of, those ways.

Sometimes that means living with pet-proof items, or closing doors, or whatever else it takes.

I understand the need for an attractive bed, or room. I no longer have a white bed in all its glory but now have a patterned spread. I even used to have dogs that would scrunch up the covers before lying down. My current dog does not, but I gave small, fluffy "doggy" blankets to all those other dogs so they could be happy. I'd rather have the pets happy than have my ideal decor. That is the choice I made.

(I'm not saying you don't want your cats to be happy.)

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

luvmyteddy4 — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:43:42 GMT

I have new bedding under my many blankets that will never see the light of day.

Just be glad you don't have a waterbed like I did last summer. I woke up one morning in a large pool of water and could have drowned. Figured out the cats had clawed the side where I sleep!

Now my new mattress gets clawed on the sides and they reach up under the many blankets I have on the bed. Sometimes I catch them clawing the rug. It helped to get a cat tree and an infinity bench for scratching. So guess who won!

I got pets so they could hang out and sleep with me so I gave up having a beautiful bedroom set. All my other furniture is covered so I will never have new furniture again.

That's okay because I would rather have dogs and cats in my life! My cats are feral so I can't clip their nails and hold them down long. Believe me I tried.

After watching Tiny Kittens I realize they learn this behavior when they are nursing from the mother. I still have one kitty that licks me and kneads my body with his paws and sometimes he gets me good with a claw.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Silver Lining — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:11:17 GMT

My big male cat is a polydactyl so his paws are huge. He has extra toes and claws and boy do they hurt when he kneads. I wear shorts and a tank top most of the time at home. He and his sister were semi-feral and sick. She was too ill and too wild to recover and be adopted but the shelter was able to save him. He needs to knead for comfort so I'm sort of his human pin cushion at times.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

sandraskates — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:29:29 GMT

@Silver Lining wrote:
My big male cat is a polydactyl so his paws are huge. He has extra toes and claws and boy do they hurt when he kneads. I wear shorts and a tank top most of the time at home. He and his sister were semi-feral and sick. She was too ill and too wild to recover and be adopted but the shelter was able to save him. He needs to knead for comfort so I'm sort of his human pin cushion at times.

And you should be honored!! At least that what's I tell myself and my husband. ;-)

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

HappyDaze — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 02:29:17 GMT

Awwww I love when cats knead (and purr while doing so), so sweet! But yes, can be destructive too. I agree with others in terms of putting a blanket on there that they can knead on and not ruin your good stuff.

I understand about wanting to have a pretty bedroom set again though, lol. I have dogs in the house who like to tunnel under covers on my bed or pile the blankets up in the middle of the bed and have pretty much given up on that dream, lol. Ahhh so worth it though- those boys are my heart.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

Adelina — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 03:00:52 GMT

Hmmm. When my cats knead they are not scratching the bed covers. It is a very gentle action. I guess regularly trimming their nails is a good idea. I would never ever want them to stop kneading, especially if it is because I am more concerned about my bedding. It is kind of like my decision not to purchase white or cream furniture covering when I decided I was going to have cats or dogs. As with having human children, one makes "sacrifices".

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

feline groovy — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 03:05:46 GMT

Kneading is also referred to as "makin' biscuits". 8-)

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

sandraskates — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 03:25:58 GMT

omg @feline groovy - that's sooo funny. I'm snorting as I laugh!

If only they made real biscuits.

Re: Anyone have a solution to kneading cats?

wildcat fan — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 03:37:17 GMT

I gave my kitty my old bathrobe. It's at the foot of my bed, and she treats it like it's her special blankie. She also liked to scratch the furniture, but now she uses a piece of cardboard that I put on the floor next to the couch. Each time a new box comes into the house, she thinks it's for her. The cardboard is noisy, but it cuts down her urge to knead.