Kitten

[Drusilla]

Can anyone tell me why our new kitten seems to march on the spot before she lies down?

[allotment10]

my cat allways used to do that, i was told it is because they are "padding" - making a kind of nest to lie down in.

[andy-hughes]

Cats, and dogs, do this from instinct. In the wild, the animal will flatten some grass or plants to make a comfortable bed, and the do a quick 'turn around' to check for any blind spots where a predator might sneak up from. Oce that ritual is complete, lying down is both safe and comfortable.

Of course, it's not the African plain, it's your lounge, but these survival instincts are deeply inbred into modern animals, who follow them without thinking.

[ursula62]

She is looking for snakes in the nest. Sounds weird but honest, it's true!

[maggie01]

My dog does this and then goes and lies down somewhere else

[JuliaSix]

Maybe your dog found a snake!

[drgnrdr]

Congrats on your new kitten. Check out this informative website http://www.catsinternational.org/ , click "articles" it will give valuable tips and insight into your kitten, soon to be cat.