5 Fascinating Reasons Behind Cat Kneading Behavior

If you live with a cat, there's a good chance you've seen your kitty push her little paws against her bed or the couch in a rhythmic motion, creating a kneading motion. "Making biscuits" is an expression commonly used to describe this behavior, also known as kneading. And it's not an idiosyncratic behavior in cats; research suggests that 65 to 80 percent of cats worldwide knead, regardless of breed, size, or age.

So why do cats exhibit this strange behaviour? In this article, we'll look at five interesting reasons why cats knead. We'll also address some common misconceptions about what kneading actually signifies. The more you understand the origins of this behavior, the better you can be in tune with your cat in kneading situations.

Your house cat's kneading habit is a trait inherited from their wild cousins. Lions, leopards, and other felines in the wild use grass or leaves to create a safe resting place. This instinctual behavior has great purpose - by treading down grass and leaves, wild cats create a secret nest that will hide them from other predators.

The environment influences kneading technique, where cats in open grasslands knead broad areas. In contrast, forest-dwellers knead small pushes in the direction of tree roots, all marking territory boundaries with a pheromone scent from their footpads (in scent glands).

Our domestic cats possess the same characteristics today. When your cat kneads the blanket, they're simply going through an old ritual of survival. It's an instinctual behaviour that releases pheromones to mark territory, just like their wild relatives. One can see, then, that kneading is not an arbitrary thing, but part of the ongoing legacy of the wild cat and all that its evolution entails.

Not every cat makes biscuits. Personality plays a part in this cat's behavior. Bold, outgoing cats tend to do it more than shy cats. Breed tendencies also come into play; some dogs pour their energy into rubbing or vocalization instead of kneading.

Kneading is learned. Kittens that have been weaned prematurely from their mothers do not experience the kneading phase. Deprived of the opportunity to nestle up and knead against their mothers, they will not have developed the muscle memory and kneading instinct that result from kneading against their mothers. This is why some rescue cats never seem to learn how to knead.

Cats, in particular, form strong bonds with their owners in other ways. Maybe they rub against your palm, or sit up against you, and the purr takes over from the knead. This suggests that cats have multiple ways of forming a bond with their humans.

As for kneading, this behavior also has deep roots in kittenhood. Initially, it's part of suckling and the rhythm with which kittens knead their mother with their paws to stimulate milk flow, making it something of an early comfort ritual. A mother cat continues the cycle with grooming, further renewing the bonds.

Knead-purr pairing elicits dopamine release in cats' brains, making the knead-purr sessions self-rewarding. Consequently, I observe my cats seeking out soft surfaces to indulge in their comfort behavior. It's the booster rocket that explains why they never stop throughout their lives.

Not all cats are discerning about which behaviour they're indulging in. Some cats may purr while relaxing, but not knead, while others will knead without purring in a stressful situation. My own rescue cat, however, will only purr while eating and tends to knead only before a nap. However, these little idiosyncrasies demonstrate the unique nature of a cat's expression of its comfort behaviour.

Knead away pleasantly without worrying about claws. Trim, but never declaw. It leaves permanent nerve damage! I trim my guys' claws out every three weeks with guillotine clippers. No scratches, and you've not damaged their paws!

Provide appropriate kneading areas to save your furniture: "Some puppies take on the bed tremendously. You can use orthopedic mats for older cats that require help with their joints. Place a nice thick blanket (which of course they will 'knead' for you to understand) wherever your cat likes to knead, and when they knead on it, reward them with a treat."

Be alert about when puppy dog pushing turns obsessive. An endless face push could be a tell-tale sign of distress. Observe ear and breathing cues (i.e., flattened ears, rapid breathing). Ease your kitty's anxiety with a pheromone diffuser and hiding boxes. A bit of good pet care benefits both you and your fur child.

Kneading on blankets is a cat's way of channeling their "memory" of the softness of their mother's fur as kittens, reactivating the tactile feeling of nursing. Your lap itself also exudes some measure of warmth akin to the heat from a mother cat. The two fabrics bring back strong responses that lie well within the depths of their instincts.

Your cat's kneading action also utilizes the scent glands in their paws. These areas, in particular, leave pheromones behind on blankets to mark their territory. When your cat kneads on your lap, they are leaving a mark of affection and ownership, as you understand it. I often notice that my cats return to the exact spots (or close to them) to mark their territory and freshen their scent.

Kneading on your blanket and kneading you releases dopamine, giving kitty a natural high. This feel-good chemical makes the behavior self-rewarding. Your cat associates the rhythmic motion with the ultimate feeling of security, which is why he often falls asleep mid-knead on your legs many times.

Cats knead for a variety of reasons derived from their wild counterparts. Kneading the paws is a behavior that links back to cats of ancient and still roaring backgrounds. Here are five reasons that reveal just how deeply instinct can be woven into the fabric of your cat's behavior.

First, kneading activates the scent glands in their paws, allowing them to deposit pheromones and mark a claimed territory. Second, it recalls the process of kitten nursing when they had to encourage milk to flow. Third, kneading stretches muscles after an extended rest, a motion we do upon waking.

Fourth, kneading leads to the release of the feel-good chemical dopamine, creating a sense of pleasure that cats then want to engage in again. Finally, kneading provides comfort when the cat is feeling stressed. For example, my own cat kneads before every vet appointment, which indicates that she is seeking comfort in response to stress. This is why cats knead; it is an instinctual feline behavior in five parts.

Cat kneading behavior bridges the gap from primal survival needs to blissful life in your home. As your cat rhythmically thrusts her paws, think of the callous paws of her wild ancestors who needed to tread lightly on bare earth. Actually, kneading is good news for you. Don't try to correct it. This behavior is healthy, natural, and should be accepted as such.

Always opt for humane alternatives, such as claw caps and scratching posts, instead of declawing. Declawing inflicts permanent physical and psychological damage. By protecting your furniture with washable coverings, you cater to their instinctual habits while also keeping your home covered.

Kneading: biscuits on your lap are a purrsonal language that connects you to centuries of feline history. Think of this unique cat-owner communication as a hug.