Muffin making....and not the blueberry kind!

It might be on your lap, in their bed or on their favorite blanket, but who doesn't love when their kitty makes muffins! They seem so content as they knead away purring so happily, but why do they really do this? It can't be just to look so darn cute! Some say that cats knead if they were taken away from their mother too early, because they are mimicking behavior they did on their mother as kittens when they nursed. Maybe it's just a soothing and instinctual behavior from kittenhood and it doesn't matter when they left mom. (I prefer that one) Cats also have scent glands in their paws and could be marking their territory, including you. Whatever the reason it's a very endearing behavior and one that I love whether it's one of my kitties at home in my lap or one of my many friends waiting for adoption at the Monmouth County SPCA. (HINT HINT) Actually one of my favorite types is what I call "air muffins". This is when you see a truly happy kitty on it's side or back making muffins in the air! There really is nothing cuter!! So tell me, is your cat a "muffin maker"?