Why Do Cats Knead?
Cats are adorable creatures that bring joy and love into our lives. One of the many adorable feline behaviors that cats exhibit is kneading, a common cat behavior also known as making biscuits. What is the art of biscuit making, and why do cats knead?
Cats knead with their front paws, pushing in and out against a soft surface like they are kneading dough or making biscuits. Kneading is a common behavior among kittens and cats of all ages and can occur on their owner’s lap, pillow, or favorite blanket.
Kneady cats are happy cats! Cats often express pleasure when they knead, with their tongues out and their motors purring. Cat kneading is an instinctive behavior that is perfectly normal. However, not all cats will knead.
If you have a cat that doesn’t seem to knead, don’t worry. Kneading is not a behavior that all cats exhibit. Just like humans, each cat has their own unique personality and behavior.
There are four main instinctual reasons cats knead. Cats knead because of natural kitten nursing instincts, ancestral outdoor sleeping behaviors, territorial scent marking, and relaxation.
Kitten Instincts
Kneading is a natural behavior that starts when kittens are first born. When nursing, kittens knead and use their four paws and claws to push on their mother’s mammary glands to stimulate milk production. These instinctual cat behaviors also help them feel secure and comfortable, but it’s also something adult cats forever associate. This behavior is perfectly normal and is often referred to as ‘cat’s kneading normal.’
Ancestral Outdoor Sleeping Behaviors
Cats also engage in cat kneading to create a comfortable sleeping space. Historically, outdoor cats and wild cats would choose a soft spot to lie down and use their paws to pat down tall grass, leaves, or soft objects before settling in for a nap. This behavior from wild ancestors helped many cats create soft surfaces and a cozy and safe place to sleep.
Scent Marking their territory with scent glands
Domestic cats and wild cats knead as a way to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands on their paws, and by kneading, they are leaving their scent behind. The instinctive trait of territorial marking is common in both male and female cats and can be seen when they start to knead their favorite thick blanket or fluff bed. You might even see your kitty kneading other cats! It’s important for cat owners to never punish their cats for these natural behaviors. You may even see two bonded cats kneading each other or the same soft object before bedtime. It is important to allow your cat to knead peacefully and not to discourage your cat from kneading.
Relaxation
Kneading also has a calming effect on cats. It is believed that the repetitive motion of kneading releases endorphins, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. This is why you may often see cats kneading after playing or getting ready for bedtime. This adorable behavior will cause your kitty to purr contentedly in a calm mood.
Why do cats knead blankets before lying down?
Cat parents often see their feline friend making biscuits before bedtime. The act of kneading releases pheromones and endorphins, which can help cats relax before they lie down to nap. Kneading also helps cats create a cozy spot for them to sleep in, as they are able to shape the material around them while they settle in.
It is believed that this behavior is a remnant of their wildcat ancestors when they would use the movement to press down tall grasses and leaves to create a more comfortable place to rest.
Another reason cats knead blankets before lying down is as a way of marking their territory with their scent. Cats have scent glands located in the soft pads of their paws, and when they knead, they release pheromones that help them mark their space and provide them with a sense of comfort and security.
Why Do Cats Knead Their Owners?
Sometimes, a cat will knead on their owner’s lap. The cat might be kneading a blanket or just start kneading your leg before bed. If your cat’s nails are sharp, it might alarm you! Check out our article about clipping your cat’s nails if their kneading hurts.
Cats knead their owners when they love you and are seeking physical affection. Kneading is a sign of contentment, as cats often show physical affection when they are feeling relaxed and happy.
If your cat kneads you often before bed, they might look forward to the rhythmic pushing pre-bedtime routine of being petted, cuddled, and kneading their owners.
Do Big Cats Knead?
Yes, big cats such as lions and tigers have been observed exhibiting kneading behavior. Big cats knead for all the same reasons as their domestic feline friends, from the behavior to yield milk from their mother’s belly or for the relaxation of a stressed cat.
What Other Animals Knead?
Kneading is a behavior that has been observed in a variety of animals, including dogs, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. The exact reason for this behavior varies by species and may be related to nursing, affection, territorial marking, or relaxation.
Conclusion
Cat’s kneading is a common behavior seen in cats that can have a variety of meanings. It may be a lasting kitten’s nursing behavior or a sign of contentment, like the famous cat loaf. Whatever the reasons your cat kneads, it sure is cute!
