I have a less gut-wrenching question than is usually to be found here.

Does anybody know why some cats--and some dogs, for that matter--paw at the ground before drinking, as though digging or clearing some non-existent obstacle out of the way?

I wonder if it could be the same thing as kneading. You know, that adorable little "pawing" thing they do when they're nursing. Could be the same type of thing. An automatic reaction to "eating." :)