Why do cats push on soft things with their paws?

Answer 1

i would say your cat is communicating to you but i haven't noticed this behaviour when my cat purrs.

The cat is most likely trying to 'knead' whatever is beneath its paws. It is a sign of contentment from when they did it as kittens to stimulate milk flow.

Answer 2

Well if the cat is using her claws, it is called kneading. This is an instinct for most cats because it's what they do to their mother when they want milk. I think grown up cats do this as a way of calming themselves. Hope this helps! :)

Answer 3

It's an involuntary action - the process you describe is the same movements a kitten would do to stimulate its mother to produce milk. They never seem to forget it even when they're much older !

Answer 4

Cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones when they knead or push on soft objects. This behavior is a way for cats to mark their territory and feel more comfortable in their environment. It can also be a sign of contentment or a leftover behavior from kittenhood when they kneaded their mother's belly to stimulate milk flow.