Kneading is an adorable behaviour that cats engage in when they’re feeling completely at peace with the world. If your cat kneads on you, it’s a sign that your cat thinks you’re absolutely wonderful.
Cat kneading is when a cat alternately pushes its paws in and out of a soft surface like a blanket, a cushion or its owner. They can do this gently, with their claws in. Or they can do it more roughly, with their claws out. When a cat does this, they look a bit like a person kneading dough, which is why cat kneading is often called ‘making biscuits’.
In this article, we’ll look at why cats knead. There are actually a few theories as to why cats knead. Most of the time, however, kneading is an affectionate and relaxing behaviour left over from when cats used to suckle their mothers as kittens. Cats can also knead to make a bed, as part of mating behaviour or to claim you or their favourite blanket as their property.
What Is Kneading in Cats?
When a cat kneads, it will push its paws in and out of a soft surface like a baker making dough. Cats knead on surfaces like blankets, cushions, padded furniture, beds or their owner’s laps. Cat kneading is a natural behaviour that shows that a cat is very content.
Different cats knead in different ways. Some will knead gently while they’re lying down, while others will do it standing up, with a more vigorous action. Some cats even put all four paws into kneading. Some cats will also knead softly, with just their cat toe beans. Other cats knead more aggressively, with their claws extended.
While cats are kneading, they may show other behaviours. They’ll often purr loudly. Or they might dribble or suckle on the surface they’re kneading. Some cats will even appear to be in a trance like state, which is a sign of how happy they are when they’re kneading.
Not all cats feel the need to knead. If your cat doesn’t knead, it isn’t a reason to worry.
Common Reasons Why Cats Knead
Here are the common reasons why cats knead their owners and other soft surfaces in their homes:
Because they’re blissfully content – Kneading is a cat behaviour learned in kittenhood. Kittens knead their mother’s teats to stimulate the flow of milk when they’re feeding. It’s likely they then learn to associate the kneading action with a feeling of warmth, safety, comfort and overall satisfaction. When a cat feels this happy later in life (like when it’s sitting on your lap), it will knead automatically because it’s feeling very content. This also explains the purring, dribbling and suckling that often goes along with it.
To help themselves relax – Just as a cat’s kneading can be triggered by a cat feeling content, they might also knead to help themselves relax. It’s possible that cats knead in a similar way to how people take deep breaths, hum, yawn or stretch to help themselves sink into relaxation.
They want to stretch – Some people think that cats might also be stretching their muscles when they knead. Again, this is relaxation based behaviour.
To make a nest – Cats also knead when they want to make a nest to sleep in, which is a behaviour left over from their wild cat ancestors. This is similar to how humans fluff pillows and smooth over bedding before they get in.
To mark territory – Cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones when they knead. Cats may also be marking surfaces (or you) as their property when they knead on them, so no other cat will go near them.
Mating behaviour – Kneading can also be a mating behaviour displayed by female cats when they’re going into heat. If your cat is in heat, it might also meow loudly and more often, ask to be let outside or be more affectionate.
Why is my cat kneading me? Affectionate kneading is a behaviour some cats carry with them through their whole lives. Find out how to discover your cat’s age.
Is Kneading Ever a Cause for Concern?
Kneading is nearly always harmless. In fact, kneading is normally a sign that your cat is very happy. If your cat likes to knead on your lap, on blankets or on furniture, before settling in for a nap, this is almost always a good sign.
If you notice that your cat seems to be kneading excessively or obsessively, or if it suddenly starts kneading more than usual, it could indicate a problem. In some cases, cats that are stressed or in discomfort might knead to help themselves relax or to soothe pain. If kneading is accompanied by other behaviours like increased vocalising, aggression or excessive drooling, this could also be a sign of a problem.
If you are worried about your cat’s behaviour, it’s a good idea to take it to the vet for a checkup.
Discover why your cat is drooling.
Should You Stop Your Cat From Kneading?
Cat owners may wonder why their cat has to knead on them and their furniture. However. it’s important not to punish your cat for kneading. Kneading is almost always a sign of affection, and it could confuse or upset your cat if you punish it for it.
Why is my cat kneading me? The best thing is to be happy about your cat’s affection. If your cat kneads on your lap, you can take the opportunity to bond with it.
How to Make Kneading More Comfortable
Here are some things you can do if your cat is scratching you or damaging your furniture with its kneading:
- Trim your cat’s claws to lessen the problem of scratching
- Place a blanket on your lap or in other places where your cat likes to knead
- Play a game with your cat instead
- Distract your cat with DREAMIES™ treats
A sign of Cat’s Love
Why does my cat knead me?... Because it thinks I’m great.
The important thing to remember is that the normal reason why cats knead their owners and other soft things in their homes is because they’re feeling happy.
If your cat is kneading you, it means you make it as happy as a warm snuggle, milk suckle and afternoon nap with its real life mother cat.
Treats are a great way to show your cat that you're happy with your role as its mother cat. You can use treats to reinforce the bond between you and your cat. Other reasons to give treats to a cat are for training and as a reward for good behaviour.
FAQ - Why Do Cats Knead?
What does it mean when a cat kneads you?
If your cat is kneading you, this almost always means that it’s feeling happy and very relaxed in your company. Sometimes, cats also knead to help themselves relax, to make a nest to sleep in, as part of mating behaviour or to mark their territory.
Do unhappy cats knead?
Unhappy cats do not normally knead. In fact, the normal reason why cats knead is because they are feeling happy and relaxed. However, this does not mean your cat is unhappy if it doesn’t knead. Some cats just don’t do it.
Why does my cat knead me but not my husband?
The reason why your cat kneads you and not your husband is probably because it views you as more of a mother figure than your husband. Kneading is a behaviour left over from kittenhood, when kittens knead their mother’s teats to stimulate the flow of milk.
Are cats happy when they make biscuits?
Yes, cats are almost always very happy when they’re making biscuits. Cat’s kneading (called making biscuits) is an affectionate behaviour cats display when they’re feeling calm, satisfied and happy.
