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What Is Smurgling in Cats?

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Published:  September 25th, 2023

A lot of cats smurgle, so you might have already seen your kitty exhibiting this behavior, even if you didn’t know what it was called.

K Lim/Shutterstock

What is smurgling in cats? What does it look like? And is it considered a normal behavior or is it something that you need to address? Here’s a quick breakdown of what it’s all about so you can get to know cats – especially your little feline companion – a bit better.  

   

What Is Smurgling?


You’ve heard of cats kneading (also known as making biscuits), and it’s definitely one of the many super cute things they do. Kneading is a behavior that kittens instinctively perform because, while nursing, they use their paws to push in on their mom’s belly – this action helps get the milk flowing so they can get the delicious nourishment they need. When this action is seen in adult cats, some people refer to it as smurgling.


Some cats will only knead with their paws while smurgling, while others will also do other things that are reminiscent of nursing kittens. For example, when a cat smurgles, there may also be suckling or nibbling. Or, they might put their face to the blanket that they’re kneading, close their eyes, and act as though they’re right back at their mother’s belly. Cats who salivate or drool while smurgling may even leave a wet spot on their blanket or bed – sure, it can be a little gross, but it’s all coming from a good place, so try not to get annoyed. 

 

Cats will start purring when kneading or smurgling, too, so this is another sign that they’re content and cozy, just like when they were a kitten with their mom. 


Why Do Cats Smurgle? Is Smurgling Normal?


Kittens aren’t the only ones who smurgle; adult cats will continue exhibiting this behavior when they’re happy, showing affection, or getting ready to snuggle in for a nap. It’s a totally normal feline behavior, and you shouldn’t discourage your kitty from smurgling or kneading, nor should you get upset or angry about it because it’s essentially a sign of contentment as well as a sign that your pet feels safe in your home with you.


Note: You might have heard that cats who were taken from their moms too soon, bottle fed, or weaned too early might be more likely to smurgle or suckle on objects as adults. This might be true for some kitties. However, smurgling is a behavior that is seen in adults who were properly weaned and spent enough time with their mothers, so it isn’t always a sign of premature separation.


Again, smurgling is normal, harmless, and, ultimately, a positive behavior that you don’t need to worry about. In fact, if your cat snuggles up next to you while you’re lying under a blanket, and they start kneading and suckling on the blanket, they are showing you how much they love you and consider you family.


Products for Cats That Smurgle


If you have a cat that smurgles a lot, there are some products you can consider purchasing for them to make them even happier. Here are a couple recommendations:


First up, your cat is sure to appreciate a large, plush, and soft pet blanket that they can cuddle into and use for kneading and smurgling. If your pet likes the feel of Sherpa under their paws, check out the PetAmi Waterproof Fluffy Pet Blanket. It comes in multiple colors and sizes, and it features Sherpa on both sides. Plus, it’s waterproof and machine washable, so you won’t need to worry if messes happen. You can throw this stylish blanket on your sofa or bed and use it for staying warm and cozy with your feline friend. 

Another option is to get your kitty their own pet bed that they climb into whenever they want to smurgle. A good example is the Best Friends by Sheri Cozy Ilan Cuddle Cup. Its soft and plush material is irresistible to cats, who will enthusiastically climb in and start kneading. Plus, it has high sides all around so your furry friend will feel totally supported and secure, and the sides also serve as a comfy place to rest their head. Choose from multiple sizes and colors to match the rest of your room’s décor.

Do Your Cats Smurgle?



Smurgle is a fun term that pet parents use to describe a very common feline behavior, yet different cats may do it a little differently, and you might notice this if you share your home with more than one kitty. For instance, some might knead and suckle, while others might just knead and purr, and some cats might smurgle more often than others. No matter the style, rest assured that this is typical feline behavior that makes them all the more lovable.  

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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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As the years go by, health issues tend to pile up, even in canines. Old age can bring a range of problems – some doggos have troubles with arthritis and limited mobility, while others suffer from cognitive decline and experience issues such as dementia. That’s right, even dogs can suffer from dementia, which is also known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). This illness can bring about some troubling changes in your pet’s behavior, and it would be wise to be familiar with all the symptoms of dementia, especially if you are a senior dog owner. Let’s go over them and get familiar with the challenges of canine dementia.Doggy Dementia: Symptoms and What To ExpectAs your pet reaches their golden years, some issues are bound to pop up, including dementia. Known as canine cognitive dysfunction, it has similar symptoms to Alzheimer's disease in humans. The main cause is the aging of the dog’s brain, which results in many troubling issues. Of course, CCD doesn’t happen to all old dogs. Latest studies revealed that it only happens to roughly 50% of dogs that are over 11 years old. Of course, if you own a senior doggo, it is wise to get to know the symptoms of dog dementia. Here are some of the most common ones:Confusion and Disorientation:As dementia sets in, your pet might seem suddenly disoriented and awfully confused. They could get lost in spaces that should be all too familiar to them (the house for example), or could just stand and stare blankly into space. Major Sleep Pattern Changes:Dogs tend to have a solid sleep routine. But with dementia, this can suddenly change. They could experience alterations in their sleep-wake cycle, sleep a lot during the day, and become restless and sleepless throughout the entire night.Loss of Interest:Your dog, with dementia, could suddenly become a totally different pet. They could lose all interest in common interactions. They could have zero interest in playing with you or interacting with the family members. The same goes for interacting with other pets, or playing with toys - even if they were their favorites. Forgetting Housetraining:

What You Need to Know About XL Bully Ban

American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year after numerous attacks were reported across the United Kingdom. The term "XL Bully" typically refers to a type of  American Bully breed known for its muscular build and larger size compared to standard American Bullies. These dogs are often selectively bred for their size, strength, and temperament, so while they are not inherently aggressive, they have the means to do some damage if they are reared to be dangerous.The ban has owners of bully breeds across the UK scared and confused, so here’s what you need to know about the details of this edict. Starting from December 31st, all XL Bullies will have to be kept on a lead and have a muzzle while in public. What is more, from this date it will be completely illegal to advertise, breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon or let stray any XL Bullies. In short – it is a decisive strike against this breed, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, earlier this year.Furthermore, a complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will come into force in the UK from February 1st, 2023. This had owners scared that their pets would have to be put down just because of their breed, but, luckily, that’s not the case. If the owner applies before the end of January, with the wish to keep their pet. With that, the household will receive an exemption certificate, but it will also have to comply with a very strict set of rules related to the breed. UK government department Defra has announced that it received more than 4,000 exemption applications so far and that a “majority” were approved. Their spokesperson said that “ "The majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week."This only supports the assurances that there will be no “forced” euthanization of these dogs. However, those people that do not apply for an exemption by the end of the deadline, will have to put their XL Bullies down. They will be granted £200 to cover the costs of a vet euthanizing their dog. Rescue and rehoming organizations can claim £100 per animal for the same purpose. The government's website states "the euthanasia must be performed by 31 January 2024" for these financial claims to be successful. Sadly, because of this new law, at least 246 XL Bullies will be put down in the coming period, as their owners did not apply for an exemption, or were not granted one. American XL Bullies are not the first dogs to be banned in the UK. Several breeds were banned in the past, and owning them is now completely illegal. These breeds include the  Pitbull terrier,  Japanese Tosa,  Dogo Argentino, and  Fila Brasileiro. Owning a banned dog breed can get you in plenty of trouble, specifically an unlimited fine and a six-month prison sentence. 

This Special Camera Reveals How Our Pets See the World Around Them

Have you ever wondered how your pet  sees the world around them? We all know that the eyes of dogs, cats, and all other animals are not the same as ours, and they often see the world in a very different way. While all we could do is imagine and theorize up until now, thanks to a new breakthrough in technology we will be able to take a peek through the eyes of animals!Scientists have  invented a special camera that uses a unique combination of state-of-the-art hardware and software, in order to create videos and images that show us exactly how certain animals see. For example, with this latest tech, you will be able to see the vivid world of colors that are seen through the eyes of birds and bees. One of the recent demonstrations revealed how a UV-sensitive vision of a bird renders an orange sulfur butterfly - the result is more than striking, as it doesn’t look like anything related to human vision.

Watch This Brave Cat Save Her Dog Sibling from a Coyote Attack

Who said that there is no love between cats and dogs? This touching story proves that some bonds between a cat and a dog are so strong that one would risk their life for the other! The event took place in Edmond, Oklahoma, where a tiny pooch was miraculously saved from a vicious coyote attack– by none other than a feisty cat. At first glance, Oakley, a white Havanese dog, and Binx, a black cat, seem to belong to completely different worlds. But even so, they are family. Lane Dyer, the owner of the two, explains for Oklahoma News how the attack - and the daring rescue - came to be.“I was kind of inspired by it, quite frankly,” she said. The event occurred on November 30th, when the 6-year-old Havanese dog, Oakley, was let outside to go to the bathroom. “Out of nowhere she was attacked by a coyote,” said Dyer. Soon enough, another coyote came rushing.

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