If you are a cat owner, you probably know what kneading is. It's that adorable behavior when your cat pushes his or her paws in and out on your lap, your chest, your stomach, or any other part of your body that he or she can reach. It looks like your cat is making dough or giving you a massage, and it usually happens when your cat is happy, relaxed, or sleepy.
But have you ever wondered why your cat kneads you but not your husband? Does it mean that your cat loves you more than him? Does it mean that your cat hates him or is afraid of him? Does it mean that your cat is trying to mark you as his or her territory?
In this blog post, I will try to answer these questions and explain the possible reasons why your cat kneads you but not your husband. I will also share some tips on how to make your cat knead you more or less, depending on your preference, and how to make your husband more attractive to your cat.
So, if you are curious about why your cat kneads you but not your husband, keep reading and find out the hidden mysteries behind this cute and quirky behavior.
Reasons Cat Knead You But Not Your Husband?
This is the main question of this blog post, and the answer is not so simple. There are many possible reasons why your cat kneads you but not your husband, and they have to do with how your cat feels about you, your husband, and himself or herself. Let's look at some of these reasons in more detail.
Bonding
One of the main reasons why your cat kneads you but not your husband is because he or she is more bonded to you than to him. Kneading is a way for cats to show their affection and trust to their favorite humans, and it is also a way for them to feel closer to them.
Kneading is related to their kittenhood, when they used to knead their mother's belly to stimulate milk production. This was a very important and comforting behavior for them, as it helped them survive and grow. Even when they grow up and don't need milk anymore, they still associate kneading with positive feelings and memories.
That's why your cat kneads you when he or she is happy, relaxed, or sleepy. He or she is telling you that you are his or her mother figure, and that he or she loves you and feels safe with you. It's a very sweet and special gesture that you should cherish.
I know I do. My cat, Fluffy, always kneads me when I sit on the couch or lie on the bed. He purrs loudly and looks at me with his big eyes. Sometimes he even drools a little. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and I always pet him and talk to him softly. He is such a cuddle bug.
My husband, on the other hand, rarely gets kneaded by Fluffy. He likes him and rubs against his legs sometimes, but he never jumps on his lap or snuggles with him. I think it's because Fluffy sees him as more of a playmate than a parent. They chase each other around the house and wrestle with toys, but they don't have the same bond that Fluffy and I have.
Caretaking
Another reason why your cat kneads you but not your husband is because you are the main caretaker of your cat and your husband is less involved or less available for your cat's needs . You are the one who feeds him, grooms him, plays with him, and cleans his litter box. You are the one who takes care of his health and well-being. You are the one who knows his likes and dislikes, his habits and quirks.
Your cat appreciates all that you do for him, and he shows it by kneading you. He is expressing his gratitude and loyalty to you, and he is also reinforcing his bond with you. He is telling you that you are his provider and protector, and that he trusts you and depends on you.
My husband helps me with some of the caretaking tasks for Fluffy, but not as much as I do. He works long hours and travels a lot for his job, so he doesn't have as much time or energy to spend with Fluffy. He also doesn't know as much about cats as I do, so he sometimes does things that annoy or confuse Fluffy.
For example, he sometimes forgets to refill Fluffy's water bowl or scoop his litter box. He sometimes plays too rough with Fluffy or picks him up when he doesn't want to be held. He sometimes uses a strong cologne that Fluffy hates or wears clothes that Fluffy doesn't like to knead on.
I think these things make Fluffy less inclined to knead my husband, because he doesn't feel as comfortable or secure with him as he does with me. He also doesn't feel as appreciated or respected by him as he does by me.
If you want your cat to knead your husband more, you could try to get him more involved in some of the caretaking tasks for your cat. You could ask him to feed him, groom him, play with him, or clean his litter box more often. You could also teach him some tips or tricks on how to interact with your cat better, such as using gentle strokes instead of rough grabs, using soft voices instead of loud noises, using treats instead of force.
These things could help your husband improve his relationship with your cat and make him more attractive to your cat. They could also make your cat feel more loved and cared for by both of you.
Comfort
The last reason why your cat kneads you but not your husband is because you are the source of comfort and security for your cat and your husband is less familiar or less comforting for your cat . Kneading is also a way for cats to relax and feel comfortable in their environment. They knead on surfaces or objects that are soft, warm, and cozy, such as blankets, pillows, or your lap.
You are the perfect surface for your cat to knead on, because you provide all these factors for him or her. You have clothing that is soft and cozy for your cat to knead on, such as wool or fleece. You have a scent that is pleasant and calming for your cat's nose, such as lavender or vanilla. You have a body temperature that is warm and soothing for your cat's paws, such as 98.6°F or 37°C. You have a posture that is inviting and stable for your cat to knead on, such as sitting or lying still.
Your husband, on the other hand, may not provide these factors for your cat, or may provide them less than you do. He may have clothing that is rough or uncomfortable for your cat to knead on, such as leather or denim. He may have a scent that is unpleasant or irritating for your cat's nose, such as tobacco or garlic. He may have a body temperature that is cold or fluctuating for your cat's paws, such as 96°F or 35.6°C. He may have a posture that is uninviting or unstable for your cat to knead on, such as standing or moving.
These things could make your cat less interested in kneading your husband, because he doesn't feel as relaxed or comfortable with him as he does with you. He also doesn't feel as safe or secure with him as he does with you.
If you want your cat to knead your husband more, you could try to make him more comfortable and secure for your cat. You could ask him to wear clothing that is soft and cozy for your cat to knead on, such as wool or fleece. You could ask him to use a cologne or perfume that is pleasant and calming for your cat's nose, such as lavender or vanilla. You could ask him to cuddle with your cat more often and show him or her affection and attention. You could also create a cozy and inviting spot for your cat and your husband to knead on, such as a blanket, a pillow, or a toy.
These things could help your husband make your cat feel more relaxed and comfortable with him and make him more appealing to your cat. They could also make your cat feel more loved and cared for by both of you.
How To Make Your Cat Knead You Less?
If you find your cat's kneading annoying or uncomfortable, you may want to make him or her knead you less. While kneading is a natural and harmless behavior for cats, it can sometimes be too much for humans, especially if your cat has sharp claws or kneads on sensitive areas of your body. Here are some ways on how to make your cat knead you less without hurting his or her feelings:
- Gently move your cat away from you when he or she kneads. If your cat is kneading on a part of your body that is painful or ticklish, such as your stomach, your chest, or your face, you can gently lift him or her off and place him or her on another spot, such as the couch, the floor, or the bed. You can also gently push his or her paws away from you or cover them with a blanket or a pillow. This way, you can show your cat that you don't like being kneaded there without scolding him or her.
- Provide alternative surfaces or objects for your cat to knead on. If your cat likes to knead on you, it may be because he or she doesn't have anything else to knead on. You can provide your cat with some soft, warm, and cozy surfaces or objects that he or she can knead on instead of you, such as a blanket, a pillow, a toy, or a piece of clothing that smells like you. You can place these items near where you usually sit or lie down, so your cat can still be close to you while kneading on something else.
- Distract your cat with another activity or treat when he or she kneads. If your cat is kneading on you because he or she is bored or wants attention, you can try to distract him or her with something more fun or rewarding. You can play with him or her with a toy, such as a feather wand, a ball, or a laser pointer. You can also give him or her a treat, such as a piece of chicken, tuna, or cheese. This way, you can redirect your cat's energy and attention to something else while satisfying his or her needs.
- Trim your cat's nails regularly to reduce the damage or pain caused by kneading. If your cat has long or sharp nails, his or her kneading can cause scratches, punctures, or bruises on your skin. You can prevent this by trimming your cat's nails regularly with a nail clipper designed for cats. You can also use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges. You should trim your cat's nails every two to four weeks, depending on how fast they grow. You should also be careful not to cut too close to the quick, which is the pink part of the nail where the blood vessels and nerves are located. If you are not sure how to trim your cat's nails properly, you can ask a vet or a groomer for help.
How To Make Your Cat Knead You More?
If you enjoy your cat's kneading and want to encourage it, you may want to make him or her knead you more. Kneading is a lovely and sweet behavior that shows how much your cat loves you and feels comfortable with you. It can also be relaxing and soothing for both of you. Here are some tips or tricks on how to make your cat knead you more without forcing him or her:
- Create a cozy and inviting spot for your cat to knead on. If your cat likes to knead on you, it may be because he or she finds you soft, warm, and cozy. You can make yourself even more appealing to your cat by creating a comfortable and inviting spot for him or her to knead on. You can use a blanket, a pillow, or a piece of clothing that smells like you. You can also adjust the temperature, the lighting, and the noise level of the room to make it more relaxing and cozy for your cat.
- Use positive reinforcement and praise when your cat kneads you. If your cat kneads you, it means that he or she trusts you and likes you. You can reinforce this behavior by giving him or her positive feedback and praise when he or she kneads you. You can pet him or her gently, talk to him or her softly, or give him or her a treat. You can also smile at him or her and make eye contact. This way, you can show your cat that you appreciate his or her kneading and that you enjoy it as much as he or she does.
- Avoid discouraging or punishing your cat for kneading. If your cat kneads you, it means that he or she is happy, relaxed, or sleepy. You should not discourage or punish your cat for kneading, as this could hurt his or her feelings and damage your bond with him or her. You should not yell at him or her, push him or her away, spray him or her with water, or hit him or her. This could make your cat scared of you or resentful of you, and he or she may stop kneading you altogether.
- Gently redirect your cat's claws if they are too sharp or painful. If your cat has sharp claws, his or her kneading can sometimes be painful or damaging to your skin. You can prevent this by gently redirecting his or her claws away from your skin and onto something else, such as a blanket, a pillow, or a toy. You can also cover his or her paws with a blanket or a pillow. This way, you can protect yourself from scratches without hurting your cat's paws.
Conclusion
Kneading is a natural and adorable behavior that cats do to show their affection and trust to their favorite humans. It is also a way for them to feel comfortable and secure in their environment. However, sometimes cats may knead some people more than others, and this can cause confusion or jealousy among the humans.
In this blog post, I have explained some of the possible reasons why your cat kneads you but not your husband. I have also shared some tips on how to make your cat knead you more or less, depending on your preference, and how to make your husband more attractive to your cat.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about your cat's kneading behavior. I also hope you have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of your cat's love and personality.
