Why do cats "Make Puddings" with their Claws ?

We've always had cats around and I have just found this wonderful site. So much information and advice and it is all FREEEEEE Thank you.

My question is this, cats (and kittens), "make puddings" my grans expression, by pushing down on their paws and kind of opening their fingers, when they are about to settle down somewhere. My mum says it is because they have to do that to get milk from the mother when they are kittens, and the action kind of sticks with them. My brother says it looks like they are trying to make the bed or field or grass flat and so more comfortable for them by flattening it down as they repeat the pushing down and spreading claws thing.

Does anyone know why they do this ? I'm just curious.


Betty

My gran she tell me that the cat does this for getting milk from de mama.

It has to be so the pushing stimulates the milk to come out for the kitten to drink.

All our cats do that too.


Cici

Of my 3 mo old part Siamese, the female is very inquisitive and adventurous, I fear, too much so. She was the first to note the cat door by the older cats and follow suit. The male is larger, more affeciant, and and wants to "nurse" on a hand, arm, any flesh. I think he was taken from his mom too soon for him. He is more of a "baby" but larger than the female. Both were about 6 wks old when adopted from a shelter. He wants to do the flexing on ones person, and nursing seems to make him content. He is very persistent about this nursing habit, which can get a bit annoying. My answer is that for whatever reason, he had to stop nursing before he was ready. They are the same ones that do not meow. I am wondering if that, too, had to do with their earlier life, if mother told them to be quiet, (I have been told that Am. Indian babies did not cry, mothers taught them to be silent to not give their presence away). I am wondering if that happened to my kittens or if they are mute.