I realised this morning, during a morning cuddle with Baby Harley on the bed, that he never "kneads", even when he's in total bliss. He purrs a lot—even more than the two older ones—but he doesn't knead. Since this reflex is linked to early kittenhood and nursing, and as he was taken from his mother at just a month old, could that be the reason? Did he not have enough time to pick up the habit?
Félia and Gatsby both knead, though in different situations. For Félia (who was with her mum and siblings until she was 3 1/2 months old), it's on my lap when she's having a cuddle, and for Gatsby (who was with his family until he was 3 months old), it's when he's about to settle down somewhere particularly soft and fluffy.
What surprises me is that I thought one of the signs of a kitten being separated too early from its mother was actually excessive kneading while suckling on fabric. Could my baby be an exception?
Napping right up against his big sister
My little teddy bear ;)
