Why Do Cats Knead? 5 Reasons for This Feline Behavior
Key takeaways:
Cats start kneading when they’re young as a way to stimulate mom’s milk production during nursing and create a bond.
As adults, cats may knead to show contentment, mark their territory, get more comfortable, or self-soothe during stressful times.
Kneading is normal, and most cats do it. But if your cat starts kneading a lot more or less than usual, it may be a sign of excessive stress or an underlying issue that requires a vet checkup.
Table of contents
Kneading, often described as “making biscuits,” is an instinctual behavior that cats start doing when they’re young. When a kitten is nursing, they knead on their mother’s belly to stimulate milk production. Some experts say that kneading during nursing also triggers the release of oxytocin, a “feel good” hormone that helps the mother bond with her kittens.
But many cats continue this behavior when they’re no longer nursing. If kneading is all about milk production, why do adult cats knead? There are several reasons.
Here, we’ll discuss the most common reasons cats knead and if you should be concerned about this behavior.
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Why do cats knead?
Kneading is known as an affiliative behavior or a friendly and peaceful interaction. It’s a form of nonverbal communication that usually means a cat is happy. But your cat may also knead to mark their territory or when they’re trying to self-soothe.
Showing contentment
One of the main reasons cats knead is to show contentment or trust in their environment. It can also be a sign of affection. They’re happy or enjoying the moment, and they want you to know it.
“They’ll often do this when they’re in a really good mood or you’re scratching them just correctly,” said Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant and the founder of Class Act Cats.
Getting comfortable
Sometimes cats knead simply to make a place a bit softer or to test it out to see if it’s cozy enough, Lusvardi said. This resembles the behavior of wild cats, who may knead tall grass and leaves to make an outdoor spot more comfortable for a nap.
Marking territory
Cats may also knead to mark their territory with pheromones. Cats use these chemicals to communicate with one another. Feline pheromones are not detectable by humans, but other cats can pick up on them.
Cats have a lot of pheromone-producing glands in their paws. As they knead, it releases that scent onto whatever they’re kneading. This signals to other cats that this is their spot, even when they’re not there.
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Reducing stress
Kneading can also be a way for cats to self-soothe. Even when they’re no longer nursing, the behavior is still associated with mealtime with mom. That can be comforting for them. “That positive feeling can help cats feel better when they are under a lot of stress because it triggers those positive memories,” Lusvardi said.
Stretching
Kneading can give your cat’s foot muscles a nice stretch, which may feel good, according to Lusvardi. They may also be trying to stretch out any pain or discomfort.
Do all cats knead?
Not all cats knead, but it’s a very common behavior. Kittens usually knead more than adult cats, but it’s normal for adult cats to knead regularly.
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In general, kneading is seen more often in socialized cats, such as cats who enjoy the company of people, other cats, or dogs. Some cats knead less as they get older, but in many cases, it’s a lifelong behavior.
What does it mean when cats knead and purr?
Kneading and purring at the same time is often a sign that the cat is in high spirits. “If you’re petting them, chances are they’re enjoying it a lot,” Lusvardi said.
But if your cat seems stressed or overwhelmed, the combination of kneading and purring may be their attempt to calm themselves down. Purring releases endorphins, other “feel-good” hormones that block pain and alleviate stress.
It’s also worth noting that cats may purr when they’re in extreme pain. If something seems off, it may be worth checking in with your vet.
Why do cats knead with one person but not another?
A cat may knead one person more because they have a better relationship with that person, but that isn’t always the case.
“Kneading is a multifactorial behavior, so the cat may have learned that kneading one person results in the types of attention they like from that person but not another. They may be trying to prepare their lap for cozy time, or it could even be due to the time of day they tend to interact,” Lusvardi said.
There isn’t always a reason. If your cat seems to knead others but not you, it doesn’t necessarily mean they like you less. They may prefer to show their affection to you in other ways.
When should you be worried about your cat kneading?
Kneading is usually a relaxed and positive behavior, but it’s a good idea to look for sudden changes in frequency. “Some cats may knead more when stressed to attempt to comfort themselves, but others may withdraw and knead less. They may also knead more to attempt to relieve pain,” Lusvardi said.
In these situations, your cat may show other behavior changes too. “For example, if they’re in pain, they may climb less or show aggressive behaviors. If your cat is stressed, they may become aggressive, develop destructive behaviors like scratching furniture more, or not use the litter box consistently,” Lusvardi said.
Consider the overall picture. If you notice any sudden or significant changes in your cat’s kneading, consult a veterinarian.
The bottom line
Kneading is totally normal, and cats typically “make biscuits” to signal happiness and contentment. It can also be a way to claim their favorite napping spot and make it more comfortable. Sometimes, however, your cat may knead to self-soothe when they’re particularly stressed or uncomfortable. If kneading frequency changes or is accompanied by other changes in behavior, like aggression or new litter box issues, check in with your veterinarian.
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References
American Animal Hospital Association. (2020). Why do cats knead?
Brister, J. (2018). Body language of cats. Veterinary Partner.
Cohen, P. R., et al. (2017). Felis punctatis: Cat claw-induced punctures. Cureus.
Seksel, K., et al. (2014). Understanding feline communication. World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Slater, M., et al. (2013). Practical physical and behavioral measures to assess the socialization spectrum of cats in a shelter-like setting during a three day period. Animals.
Todd, Z. (2023). What are cat pheromones and what do they do? American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
