Reasons for kneading behavior in cats and precautions for cat owners.
1. Due to the cat's instinct
Newborn kittens rely on their mother's milk for nutrition. Before their eyes are even open, the kittens slowly find their way to their mother's nipples to enjoy their first meal. Just like human babies learn to suckle on their first try, kittens learn to knead their mother's nipples like dough to stimulate milk production and increase milk supply for faster growth. This kneading motion is similar to lambs milking, only more dramatic and visually striking. 
2. Nostalgia for the time spent with the mother cat
Kittens are usually separated from their mothers very quickly after birth. A few days after they open their eyes, they are often taken away by their mothers, barely having a few days to enjoy her warmth and care before being separated from their familiar environment and mother's embrace. Kneading is not only an instinct for kittens but also a way for them to express their longing for their mothers. Just like humans, when they first live with their families, they may find their family members nagging, but when forced by life to leave their familiar environment and travel far away, they will remember the gentleness of home and miss their family's nagging. Kittens also remember their mother's unique gentleness, imagining themselves nestled in their mother's arms, enjoying her tender gaze, feeling a special sense of satisfaction, and purring contentedly.
3. Craving the other person's attention
During a cat's mating season, cats will use meows to attract the attention of the opposite sex. If you have two cats at home, how do they express their desire for each other's attention? They'll give each other a free "massage." Just like the saying goes, "The way to the heart is through the stomach," cats believe that "as long as you massage them well, they won't run away." Let me massage you until you feel comfortable, and you'll fall at my feet and become my feline overlord.
4. Define your own territory
A cat's kneading behavior is definitely more than just a simple expression of longing for its mother. Although cats no longer need to claim territory as they used to, this ancestral feline habit remains unchanged. A cat's thick paw pads are covered with scent glands, and when kneading, the cat secretes its unique scent to mark its preferred territory and belongings, signaling to other animals, "This is my territory, and anyone who dares to touch it will be taught a lesson!" Cat owners who are kneaded should feel honored; it's a sign that your cat has accepted you.
5. Maintain a cheerful mood and a relaxed mind and body
People relax by lying comfortably on the sofa or doing what they enjoy. Cats, too, relax by kneading in soft, warm places. They feel safe and secure while kneading, rejecting anything that might distract them, even their "arch-enemies." They become completely absorbed in their kneading adventure. This is quite a blow to the dog: why has its "aloof beauty" suddenly become so attentive? I need an answer urgently! The dog, subdued by the cat's "tyranny," is suffering immensely, but dares not show it, maintaining a calm, expressionless face.
6. Precautions for raising cats:
If you have other kittens at home, quarantine the new kitten for at least 3 days after bringing it home. Pay attention to the temperature and humidity of the kitten's living environment, and try to let it sunbathe for 1-2 hours every day. Do not take the kitten out frequently, as unfamiliar environments will make the kitten nervous and scared, which can lead to a decline in its physical condition. Do not let the kitten sleep on the floor in spring, autumn and winter, as it is prone to catching a cold. Do not give it tap water; it needs to drink cooled boiled water or mineral water. Keep its food fresh; replace any food that has become damp overnight. Kittens enter a developmental stage at 4 months old, so it is recommended to supplement their nutrition.
