Why Do Cats Knead? 16 Messages They Are Giving

It is the rhythmic movement of a cat's front paws, where they flex their toes and pads back and forth on soft objects. It depicts the motion a baker uses, while making biscuit bread, resulting in behavioral changes. One of the obvious reasons why cats knead is for comfort. This behavior starts during kittenhood as a result of milk production. 

This motion serves different purposes for cats, based on their life stages, environment, and context. It may be related to the feelings of well-being and contentment in cats because they feel secure and happy in their environment. Another reason cats knead is that they have scented glands in their paws, which release chemicals called pheromones, crucial for making their territory and sending messages to other animals. 

Is Kneading Normal?

It is considered normal behavior in cats, crucial for their health and well-being, and is not a huge concern. When a cat kneads a person, it can be a pleasant bonding experience for both, depicting the cat's comfort and happiness around their human companion. Some cats may rhythmically kick their back feet and twitch their pelvis while kneading. 

Sometimes, this motion can damage sweaters, pillows, and blankets as they pull on the thread with their claws. You need to set aside those items further away from your cat so that it won't get damaged more. When cats use their claws, it can be painful for the person being kneaded on it is unintentional for cats. In rare cases, cats may suddenly change their behavior. 

One message for kneading is that your cat is in the "mommy zone," a likely throwback to happy behavior from the kittenhood days. It is done by kittens when they are nursing to encourage the milk's release from their mother. They knead their mother's abdomen to stimulate milk flow, resulting in full tummies. 

They are rewarded with food for their positive behavior and sometimes might be accompanied by a love bite. The reward stops once they stop nursing, but they keep up their positive association and the behavior becomes a happy habit throughout their life. 

How will you respond when your cat climbs up on your lap to knead? The chances are higher as you have given your attention to them, either by petting or moving them aside.

Making biscuits on a human's lap and getting attention has trained your cat to repeat the same behavior. Some cats knead with claws retracted while others keep them out. It is further accompanied by purring and head-butting, a clear sign that your cat wants some loving attention. 

The kneading of cats is further accompanied by purring, a strong indicator of contentment, comfort, and relaxation. If your cat's kneading comes with soft eyes, slow blinking, and lots of purring, it is a message that is one relaxed loaf.

Also, it indicates that they are well relaxed and might settle down for a catnap. You might have noticed your cat making biscuits on your belly or chest before they curl up to sleep. It indicates that they hold huge trust in you, feeling a sense of comfort. Also, doing it on a soft surface might be their way of feeling comfortable haven for themselves by extension, feeling relaxed and content. 

Cats have several ways to show affection to their human companion, and based on the situation, kneading is one of them. Like the nursing from their mother, your cat feels safe and cared for, when they are with you. Following, they kick in and will bake up a storm on your lap. 

It is a multi-layered expression of affection in cats and can be a nostalgic link back to their kittenhood. Their association with warmth, comfort, and safety converts into a positive act of affection in adulthood. Also, it promotes relaxation and by kneading, your cat might depict their affectionate feelings for you. 

Cats have scented glands on the bottom of their paws, used to make their territory. When the cats knead on you or a soft surface, they add their unique scent, like a feline claim check, marking their territory and feeling secure in their zone. Also, the marking is like "This smells like me, and I feel safe here with you."

They usually scratch surfaces with their claws, leaving behind their scent but whether they intentionally leave behind while kneading with their paws can be a concern. The marking reinforces their sense of ownership and makes the area more familiar and safe, considered an automatic way to claim their territory. 

Sometimes, kneeling can also be performed as a self-soothing behavior to make cats feel when they are anxious or stressed. The rhythmic motion itself might be calming and promote feelings of relaxation and could be a self-soothing behavior with roots in their ancestors who kneaded to reduce stress after tense situations.

It can be comforting and self-soothing behavior. A cat who is kneading due to its anxiety might not fall asleep or relax. Other signs that your cat is working to self-soothe their anxiety include:

• Tail flicking
• Pinned back eyes
• hiding
• Dilated pupils
• Aggression
• Holding their tail tight against their body 

The physical motion of kneading is repetitive and may help cats stretch out after an inactive period, such as a nap. Some will use only their front paws to knead, while others will use all four, which can be a bit of a workout.

Everyone needs a good stretch and that includes your cat too. Kneading and pressing their paws against a surface is one way they get a good stretch throughout their muscles. It feels good on their muscles and tendons, promoting relaxation and limbering them up for future adventures.

Your happy cat descends from wild ancestors, not unlike today's lions and tigers. Their wild ancestors would knead to the grass, making the ground more comfy before grabbing some shut-eye. 

You might find a larger cat doing this same behavior if you make a trip to the zoo. While your house cat might not be planning on motherhood, the instinct to create a cozy spot remains. If you notice your cat kneading the blanket before they go to sleep, they might mimic the behavioral attitude of their great-grandcats. 

Female cats may also knead when they go into heat and demonstrate their readiness to mate with male cats. They may display unusual behaviors like yowling at night and sticking their hindquarters in the air. This could be linked to heightened emotions or seeking a comfortable spot for mating.

While not as prominent as in other species, their kneading often happens alongside heat behaviors like howling, increased affection, and rolling on the ground. They are often seen lying on their sides making air biscuits. Fixing your cat will end in biscuit-making and has numerous benefits too. 

If your female cat showed signs of heat about 2 months ago, she is now making biscuits in her queening box or might be in labor. 

One of the first stages of cat labor includes "making a nest" or arranging her queening box using her paws to knead. Though it is not a common or definitive sign, it's more likely to be their heat cycle, exhibiting heat-related behaviors. Consult your veterinarian for guidance if you suspect pregnancy of female cats. 

When your cat kneads, it's usually a positive indicator of their emotional state, reflecting feelings of happiness, relaxation, and trust towards you. Accompanied by purring, it signifies contentment and a sense of safety, linking this behavior with early feelings of warmth and nourishment. 

For adults, kneading soft surfaces or their owners reflects a deep-seated instinct to create a cozy place. The heartwarming gesture makes them more affectionate and trust grows in the owner's presence, further expressing their happiness by kneading with their graceful companions, fostering mutual joy and companionship.

When your feline friend kneads on your lap or a softer blanket, accompanied by a rumbling purr, it shows a clear message, that cuddle time is needed.

This behavior takes them back to their kittenhood. Kneading on your lap is associated with warmth, comfort, and closeness, translated into adulthood. As they knead at you, they want to enjoy a quality cuddling session by saying "Snuggle time now, Human." They might also seek pats, gentle strokes, or a good scratch during quality cuddling time with their human companions.

Kittens often knead before a burst of playful energy. If your feline friend kneads followed by zoomies, it might be a sign they need playtime to release pent-up energy. They might be asking for their human companion to grab a toy and get ready for fun playing time. 

The kneading motion can help stretch and loosen muscles, preparing them for a playful chase. Sometimes, they have their way of engaging playfully with their owner. Try mimicking the kneading motion with your fingers on a scratching post or toy, further initiating a fun session with your cat to enjoy. 

Similar to making beds, making a nest for the cats has been passed down from their wild ancestors. The kneading motion helps to mat down the grass, creating a soft and insulated space. Even though your cat might not be planning on motherhood, their instinct to create a cozy spot is still present. 

The wild cats will paw at piles of leaves or tall grasses to create a nest for themselves and their young ones to relax and sleep in. By doing this, they not only create a soft nest, but they can also check for predators, prey, or dangerous things hidden in the foliage. Therefore, when your domestic cat does this to your lap, it may be an ingrained habit from their wild ancestors. 

If your feline friend starts to knead on your while you are sleeping on the bed, they might be checking, if you are awake and ready for some attention or not. 

If they knead on you, it might be their way of saying " Hey sleepyhead, it's time to wake up and give me some love with some purrs and cuddles as well as food. If you interact with your cat after they knead on you, they might have formed a routine to wake you up every morning for playtime and cuddles. Also, they can repeat this behavior, if they have learned that kneading their owner in the morning leads to attention, food, or other positive outcomes. 

It is a natural behavior and there is no reason to stop your cat from doing it. However, you can protect yourself from their aggression using the following tips:

Trim your cat’s nails

To prevent painful kneading on your lap, trim your cat's nails to enjoy more cuddles with your cat. Properly trimmed nails will prevent ingrown nails and keep your objects safe from those paws. 

Redirect Your Cat With A Toy

If the kneading on your lap becomes too much, you should encourage your cat to move her biscuit-making to an appropriate surface like a blanket. Use positive reinforcement training by rewarding her with treats or physical praise when she makes biscuits.

Attention To Stress Signals

Cats can become stressed over several things like a new household member, a change in schedule, or underlying health conditions. 

You need to focus your attention on those signs and symptoms or consult your vet to check your cat's health conditions. Also, you need to engage more with your companion giving quality enjoyment time, leading to reducing stress. 

The rhythmic kneading on your lap isn't just a massage request, it is a sweet throwback to their kittenhood. The classic interpretation suggests kneading mimics the motion kittens use to stimulate milk flow from their mother. These intimate moments of physical contact reinforce the bond between the cat and the owner, creating lasting memories that produce nostalgia when remembered or experienced again.

They might remember those tiny paws instinctively kneading their mother's belly for nourishing milk. The blissful association with warmth, security, and the comfort of a full belly is reignited with each knead. It's a way of saying, " This is safe and happy just like when I was a little one."