Posted on 06/25/2012 11:20:00 PM PDT by boatbums
Everybody who has cats (or dogs) knows that they may have traits in common with other like animals, but each one has their own idiosyncrasies (idiosyncrazies, that is). My two and a half year old Birman male cat, Beaux, has this strange, but cute, almost OCD behavior that he does EVERY day, sometimes three or four times a day depending on how much time I happen to be home in a given day. If I have been gone most of the day, he will find the time to "fit in" his odd little habit at least once before bedtime. Here's what he does:
As I sit at the kitchen table working on my laptop computer, usually on Free Republic, he will jump up on the table and plant himself between me and the keyboard. With his head and belly facing me and his backbone up against the keyboard, he will tuck his head down into the crook of my left arm, close his eyes, brace his back legs against my chest and begin kneading me like I was his nursing momma, loudly purring the entire time. Like I said, he is compulsive about it and it seems like he MUST do this as often as he can. It will go on for about five or ten minutes after which he will stop and snooze, still in his tuck position.
Does anyone out there have a cat with the same habit? I think it is adorable and I kinda like that he wants to be so close to me. But, I worry, is he developing a compulsive disorder and should I discourage him? My other cat has NEVER done this nor have any other cats I have known. I had one who would knead my tummy if I was lying down on the couch watchng TV, but none like this.
What are some of your kitteh's habits that could be called "indiosyncratic"?
The inner thoughts of a cat.
From recent Kitty Ping List.
Watch all 3 episodes. Only 2 minutes each.
Too many great quotes to even start to list them.
Enjoy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2899019/posts
You have a beautiful loving cat. Thanks for sharing.
Multiple theories exist that explain why cats knead. Kneading may have an origin going back to cats’ wild ancestors who had to tread down grass or foliage to make a temporary nest in which to rest. Alternatively, the behavior may be a remnant of a newborn’s kneading of the mother’s teat to stimulate milk secretion. Since most of the preferred “domestic traits” are neotenous or juvenile traits that persist in the adult, kneading may be a relic juvenile behavior that is not lost in modern adult domestic cats.
Kneading is often a precursor to sleeping.
Many cats purr while kneading. They also purr mostly when newborn, when feeding, or when trying to feed on their mother’s teat. The common association between the two behaviors may corroborate the evidence in favor of the origin of kneading as a remnant instinct. Some experts consider kneading to “stimulate” the cat and make it feel good, in the same manner as a human stretching.
My “found” stray tortie, Patch, occasionally puts her front paws on the keyboard of my laptop if I’m using it instead of paying her attention. She also will rear up while you stroke her head, as if she’s trying to get her head closer to her hand. Haven’t ever noticed her kneading, but in general she’s a very affectionate kitty.
Our shelter adoptee, Apple (orange tabby), who as far as we know was pretty much always a house cat, has the rather annoying habit of swatting at your hand when she’s tired of being petted. And sometimes she’ll try to nip at you. But when she wants affection, she’ll smother you with head bonks when you pick her up.
The two kittens, Janis (lynx-point) and Monkey (dilute torbie) (both are Patch’s kids; we’ve since had her spayed), haven’t developed any idiosyncrasies aside from normal kitten playfulness.
It's good to know I am not alone in “all things feline” and it only shows what I have always believed...cats have individual personalities and no one cat - out of the billions that have ever lived - is the same as another. Kinda like people. ;o) All the more reason to love them and be grateful for every life that God brings into ours. Thanks for the comments!
Absolutely! It's fun getting a new kitten and watching that personality, with its quirks, develop.
Your Beaux is one beautiful fella. You can tell he's aware of his gorgeousness and is deigning to pose for the camera, LOL.
The first Siamese (now sorely missed) loved rubber. He ate all the rubber tips off all the door stops. luckily they would pass through his system. He also liked yarn and string, which occasionally would require “help” with removal, to my wife’s disgust.....
Hope you don't mind if I post a pick of my baby!
This is Minette, and she is a rescue kitteh.
Like your beautful Beaux, she kneads me too!
She also will sit in my lap,
Put her head in the crook of my arm,
And just sit like that with her head bobbing up and down while I type.
If you are ill, she goes into "Nurse Kitteh" mode,
and will fuss and cuddle with you.
She "talks" too.
All the time!
Magnificent cat! And he truly loves you and feels comfy with you...consider it an honor.
Thank you! I do. Beaux is by far the most affectionate cat I have ever known.
Actually, this is a very common occurrence. I read somewhere that since most "cat haters" tend to look away from cats (as opposed to just ignoring them), their reaction is read by the cat as being submissive to the cat, which naturally attracts them.
Mark
Mark
Thanks for the info. It would be funny with any explanation or none at all! Cats are NOT subtle!
I have a cat that makes smacking noises with his mouth,LOL.
Actually it’s more like the sound of a cat licking its chops after eating. And he does it right in my ear.
Everyone has their own personalities. They are cats.
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