Why is she kneading at night?

I have 2 female cats from the same litter, approximately 1 ½ years old. They are both very loving and affectionate. Lately Nell has started kneading on the blanket at night after I get tucked into bed. She has always slept snuggled up to my neck, but for the last few weeks she kneads for several minutes before she snuggles up to me. That was ok, but in the last few days the kneading does not stop at the blanket. She continues to knead wherever her paws land after she snuggles in with me. That usually means my face, neck or ear.

Why is she doing this and how do I make her stop? I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want to close her and her sister out of the bedroom at night.

Help!

Kneaded in Maine

Basically she is doing this because she loves you. She is showing you that she feels absolutely safe and protected and happy when she is with you. As long as she isn't hurting you with her claws, please don't shut her out of the room. Take it as a compliment. It is also something that kittens do to their mothers while nursing to keep the milk coming. To her, you are her mother.

I personally love when my cats do this. Only 2 of my 4 do it and it is great. On will kneed all over my back and purr so loud and then curl up on my back and sleep. It's almost like a back massage.

Why do you think of it as such a problem?

One of my cats does this also. He starts out on the blanket and then inches closer and closer while kneading, and eventually ends up on my arm. It HURTS ( ) but I let him do it b/c I know that he's just doing it out of love

My kitten kneads and suckles. I think it's pretty cute, but it drives my fiancee insane. I think he's just jealous because she does this with me, but not him Like someone mentioned earlier, she probably thinks you are her "mom" and it comforts her. Just keep her claws trimmed and be thankful for such a loving, trusting cat

Originally Posted by Jen

Basically she is doing this because she loves you. She is showing you that she feels absolutely safe and protected and happy when she is with you. As long as she isn't hurting you with her claws, please don't shut her out of the room. Take it as a compliment. It is also something that kittens do to their mothers while nursing to keep the milk coming. To her, you are her mother.

I personally love when my cats do this. Only 2 of my 4 do it and it is great. On will kneed all over my back and purr so loud and then curl up on my back and sleep. It's almost like a back massage.

Why do you think of it as such a problem?

Click to expand...

I agree, Jen! I love it when CJ does that, and I love it when Billy does it, though he normally does it on the blanket, my leg or arm or something like that, and then the blanket, and then he snuggles up with me. He conforms to my body when he snuggles! It's funny! Anyway, when CJ snuggles, which she hasn't done lately (she's pregnant), she kneads me, and I love it! She does it when I pet her, and then, after a couple of minutes, she'll push my hand away, and will NOT let me pet her! Everytime I try to, she'll push my hand away with her rear legs, all the while kneading me. I think it's a kind of "You pet me, now let me pet you!" I love it!

I think all my cats do it from time to time... (7 of them.. Ouch!!!) They do it when they're happy... Get accustomed to pain! lol

Originally Posted by Jen

Basically she is doing this because she loves you. She is showing you that she feels absolutely safe and protected and happy when she is with you. As long as she isn't hurting you with her claws, please don't shut her out of the room. Take it as a compliment. It is also something that kittens do to their mothers while nursing to keep the milk coming. To her, you are her mother.

I personally love when my cats do this. Only 2 of my 4 do it and it is great. On will kneed all over my back and purr so loud and then curl up on my back and sleep. It's almost like a back massage.

Why do you think of it as such a problem?

Click to expand...

I have been around cats all my life but these are the first two that I have been able to let sleep on the bed with me, so I had never encountered this before. I hope my note did not sound like I think of it as a problem, just was not sure why she was doing it. I love having her snuggle with me, will just have to trim her nails a little more often. Her sis, Natasha must think I am her kitten as she likes to lick me!

Thanks to everyone for all the help!