Cats also “make biscuits” when you are petting them, and kneading is their way of telling you they feel good. Furthermore, Cats may knead when they are preparing their nest and trying to get comfortable. It is also normal feline behavior for a cat to knead when they are marking their territory and leaving their scent.
Felines and Their Need to Knead
Even though most cats knead, the reason behind it is still somewhat mysterious. In essence, kneading is the movement cats make when they press their paws down on a blanket or their lap. There are a number of theories for this behavior, including:
- A method of marking territory: All cats naturally mark their territory. Given that cats’ paws contain scent glands, it stands to reason that they are merely marking objects they believe to be their own—yes, even you!
- Setting up a sleeping area: Just like dogs, who enjoy circling around and curling up in a spot to nap, cats also enjoy “setting up” their beds. This is typically accomplished in the wild by patting down grass or other vegetation. At home, blankets, bedding, or your lap will suffice.
- Kneading as a feeding behavior: When a cat is nursing, they knead to get the milk flowing. This is a practical behavior. You are likely to witness this behavior if you ever see kittens with their mother. Adult cats are merely repeating a behavior that leads to a favorable result when they knead.
- Basic comfort: One of the more widely accepted explanations for why cats knead is that they do so because it is comforting. Since purring frequently occurs when a cat is “making biscuits,” we associate this behavior with contentment. But no one has also been able to determine why cats purr—yet another enigma!
But why do domestic cats “make biscuits,” as kneading is sometimes called? Several theories have been put forth by behavior experts, but cats will always remain mysterious. “We don’t know, so some of these are just theories,” Kansas State University veterinarian Susan Nelson says. “Cats don’t get the funding for studies like dogs do. ”.
Experts advise against punishing kneading due to its intrinsic benefits and positive associations—even if your cat’s claws occasionally hurt. Instead, make an effort to keep your pet’s claws clipped (declawing them is dangerous), and think about shielding yourself with a cozy blanket or pillow. Nelson advises against giving up on kneading too soon because it’s a sign of affection from them.
Although kneading is a clear indication that your cat likes you, don’t be upset if it doesn’t show much interest in you. “Your cat may still feel a bond with you even if it doesn’t knead.” According to Vitale, “They may also be purring, rubbing against you, or even just sitting close to you as other affiliative behaviors.” All of these could indicate that the cat and you have a close bond. ”.
According to Leticia Fanucchi, an animal behavior scientist at Oklahoma State University, kneading is an instinctive behavior that kittens learn when they are attached to food. “To actually suck the milk, they knead the mother’s mammary glands to initiate the behavior,” the source explains. She also says that kneading by the kitten increases milk production and may cause the mother to release the hormone oxytocin, which promotes social bonds.
The behavior also has physical consequences. According to Fanucchi, kneading a cat can be a friendly way for the animal to mark its territory on a preferred human or sleeping spot because it stretches its muscles and activates scent glands in its paws. Things can get a little messy, too. “When they knead, some of these cats start drooling as well—those are the really happy guys,” Nelson remarks.