{"id":10929,"date":"2022-04-22T12:56:26","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T11:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=10929"},"modified":"2023-02-10T15:52:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T15:52:16","slug":"why-do-cats-knead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-do-cats-knead\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Knead? Everything About Cats Making Biscuits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even if you don\u2019t have cats, you\u2019ve surely seen them open and close their paws as if they\u2019re massaging something. It might be their bed, blanket, owner, favorite toy, or even the air around them. This is called kneading, more often referred to as \u201cmaking biscuits.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>why do cats make biscuits<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do Cats Knead?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most of the time, a <\/span>cat making biscuits<\/span> is a sign of comfort. However, there\u2019s much more to it. So, if you\u2019re a cat owner or simply a cat lover, here are a few things you should know about <\/span>cat kneading<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stretching their muscles<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the simplest reasons for <\/span>cats kneading dough<\/span> is stretching. Cats are very agile animals that love to sleep a lot. Therefore, kneading helps them stretch their legs when they wake up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marking their territory<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cats are territorial animals, and <\/span>their communication is often scent-guided<\/span><\/a>. To mark their territory, they use scent glands in their cheeks, forehead, lips, flanks, tail, and paw pads. In other words, <\/span>when cats knead<\/span>, they\u2019re marking that area as theirs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why they may knead their blanket, favorite toys, a carpet, and even you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making their bed<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just like dogs turn in circles before lying down, cats may knead their bed. One theory is that this type of<\/span> cat kneading behavior<\/span> is inherited from their ancestors, who transitioned from forests to our hearts <\/span>about 12,000 years ago<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019d paw at piles of leaves or taller grass to create a soft bed \u2014 but also to ensure there\u2019s nothing dangerous hiding underneath.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recreating a memory<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever noticed<\/span> kittens kneading<\/span> their mom while feeding, you could guess they do so to stimulate milk production. This is also when they feel the most comfortable, and one theory states that adult <\/span>cat kneading <\/span>may be a leftover habit from those early days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Communicating with potential mates<\/span><\/h3>\n

This mainly occurs in female cats that aren\u2019t spayed \u2014 they may knead the air, purr, and stretch to inform male cats that they\u2019re in heat. They may also be more vocal than usual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to <\/span>male cats, kneading behavior<\/span> is a part of a mating ritual, and they often use their back legs too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do Cats Knead on You?<\/span><\/h2>\n

To put it simply, cats knead on you because they love you, and this is just one way of showing affection. They feel comfortable with you, they trust you, and they\u2019re marking you as theirs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, sometimes, it can be painful <\/span>when cats knead<\/span> on you. Just keep in mind that you should never punish your cat for it. Instead, you can put a blanket over your lap or <\/span>trim your cat\u2019s nails<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Is Kneading a Problem?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though seeing a <\/span>cat baking biscuits<\/span> is most often a positive thing, it can sometimes be a sign of an issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, anxious cats may develop obsessive kneading. Kneading releases pain-relieving chemicals, which is why, for some <\/span>cats, making biscuits <\/span>becomes a coping mechanism. This can happen if your cat\u2019s environment or routine has changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is also common for indoor-only cats that aren\u2019t engaged enough, as they may become stressed due to boredom and confinement. After all, since <\/span>the average lifespan of an indoor cat is 15 years<\/span><\/a>, living in the same few rooms can get boring after a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

In such cases, solutions include providing your cat with more toys, spending more time with it, and, if possible, getting another cat so they can keep each other entertained.<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, if you notice that your <\/span>cat<\/span> is <\/span>making biscuits<\/span> more than it used to, it may be a <\/span>sign that it\u2019s stressed or in pain<\/span><\/a>. In this case, you should take your cat to the vet, as your cat might have a health issue you can\u2019t see.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>routine physical checkup costs around $45\u2013$55<\/span>,<\/span><\/a> and it can save you hundreds if there\u2019s an issue and you catch it on time.<\/span><\/p>\n

FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n

Why has my cat stopped kneading<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your cat usually makes bread a lot and has recently stopped doing so, it may be due to a change in its routine or environment. However, if nothing significant has changed, it may be a sign of an illness or injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do cats knead on one owner but not another<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Usually, the answer is pretty simple \u2014 they like that specific person more. However, it may also be because the owner the <\/span>cat<\/span> is <\/span>making biscuits <\/span>on is their primary caretaker. This means that it\u2019s more attached to that person.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, it may also be because the owner doesn\u2019t move a lot when the <\/span>cat<\/span> is <\/span>baking<\/span> in their lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does my cat knead so much?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some cats may naturally knead more, while some may not knead at all. Some may massage you more after you come home from work because they\u2019ve missed you. Kneading can also increase on softer materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some <\/span>cats <\/span>may<\/span> make biscuits<\/span> more often because they\u2019re bored or anxious. If this is what you suspect, try <\/span>enriching your cat\u2019s environment<\/span><\/a> and giving it more time to adjust.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to stop my cat from kneading furniture?<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you want to stop your cat from kneading on a specific piece of furniture, you can try redirecting its attention with toys or treats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also encourage your cat to knead elsewhere by providing it with soft blankets, pillows, or <\/span>comfortable cat beds<\/span>. Spraying those substitute options with scents that are pleasant to cats, like catnip, valerian root, or olive, can help solve your issue too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is my <\/span>cat kneading with<\/span> its <\/span>back legs?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some cats use all four legs when kneading. One theory states that this is because they come from a smaller litter, so they had more room to spread.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, sometimes, this may also develop as a means to keep other littermates away, and it\u2019s common in bigger litters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, if your cat is using its hind legs only, it usually means it\u2019s preparing to pounce on something. This mostly happens during playtime and hunting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n

As adorable as kneading can look, as you can see, it actually serves a purpose. While it\u2019s usually a positive sign, in some contexts, it can also mean that you should get your cat checked. So, if you\u2019ve ever wondered \u2014 <\/span>why do cats knead<\/span>? \u2014 now you know. <\/span><\/p>\n