There is no definitive answer as to why cats knead on soft surfaces, but it may be instinctual, marking territory, creating a comfortable place to sleep, or showing affection.
For cat lovers, the list of adorable qualities and quirky behaviors is long, but some stand out above the rest, like the habit of “kneading.” When a cat gently approaches you, climbs onto your lap, and begins to slowly rub up and down your legs with its front paws, it’s hard not to laugh. This behavior, which is seen in almost all indoor cats, is often called “cookie making” or “kneading” because it resembles your cat kneading bread dough.
Some cats knead gently and in a controlled manner, perhaps simply curling their paws on a soft surface; others lift their paws high and then slam them down, as if they were marching. It’s a fun behavior, and many cat owners wonder where this strange behavior comes from. In fact, “cat experts” have not yet come to a final conclusion, but there are a few plausible theories.
The Origin of Kneading
Kneading is part of your cat’s daily routine from a young age. Even when they are just born, with their eyes still closed, a kitten instinctively begins to knead the area around its mother’s nipples. Researchers say this behavior stimulates milk flow, which is essential for the kitten’s survival and development. However, this behavior persists throughout a cat’s life. Given that cats develop this habit so early, some experts believe that kneading is simply a vestige of feline behavior, one of their most primitive instincts that never really went away.
When you see an adult cat kneading on a pillow, blanket, or your lap, the behavior is often accompanied by an unmistakable sound of satisfaction—a lazy purr as the cat pushes its paws back and forth across the surface. The association of kneading with the comfort and happiness of being near its mother may explain why cats enjoy this repetitive behavior so much. In fact, some cats even scratch or gently bite the surface they are kneading on, just as they would with their mother’s teat.
Another possible explanation for this behavior involves lions, tigers, and wild cats of the past. When these animals are looking for a safe place to sleep and hide, they will press patches of grass into the ground to create a soft spot for themselves. This is a necessary behavior to keep predators away and ensure the area is safe enough for sleeping, or perhaps giving birth; to this day, cats tend to “knead” on comfortable surfaces, such as blankets or pillows, but you will rarely see them “kneading” on flat or empty ground.
It is also thought that “kneading” is a territorial behavior for cats. Leaving marks or disturbing an area is a way for a cat to claim it as its own, while the scent of a cat’s paws leaves a clear signal to other cats that the area is occupied. We humans can’t smell those signature scents, but they’re a powerful deterrent to other animals, serving as a tool of comfort and security for cats in their “castle.”
Cats knead to stretch their muscles: Cats are natural yoga masters and love to practice all the moves after a nap. Just like us, if you have a sore shoulder, it feels good to cling to a surface and stretch it. Cats kneading is one of the many ways cats keep themselves supple and flexible until their next nap.
A sign of love
Cat lovers will probably like this last explanation the most, as it confirms that cats love their owners as much as they love them. The “kneading” behavior usually takes place on the mother cat’s body, on pillows, blankets, or other soft surfaces that cats feel will help them sleep well. However, if your cat has a habit of “kneading dough” on your body (e.g. waist, thighs, legs, chest…), it is a sign that it is very comfortable with you and feels safe around you just like mom said.
To attract a mate: Female cats have another reason to knead. They may purr, stretch, and knead in the air while lying on their side, to tell the male cat that I’m ready, I’m in season, I want to “fuck” you. As the estrus cycle continues, cats will make plaintive meows that quickly turn into long, loud meows to attract the male’s attention.
Soothe themselves: In addition to kneading as a way to show affection, cats can also do it as a way to soothe themselves. This can be a great comfort. If your cat is alone for a long time, they will knead more often when you are home. So try spending more time with your cat. You can play with your cat in the following ways, brush its fur, or just hold it and talk to it in a loving voice every day. This will help reduce stress for your cat.
The Downside of Kneading
Some cat owners get worried when their cat starts to knead, because it may look like the behavior a cat would do in its cute little box – but they are actually very different behaviors. Kneading is a completely natural behavior that brings comfort and joy to cats. If your cat has untrimmed toes and starts enthusiastically kneading the couch, pillows, or blankets, it may cause some damage to those objects. Other than that, there are few downsides to kneading.
In such cases, you can trim your cat’s toenails, or train it to knead in designated areas. When your cat starts kneading on a surface you don’t want to scratch, gently pick them up and move them to a designated kneading area, perhaps tempting them with a treat, so they associate the new location with their favorite activity and a satisfying reward.
Similarly, some cats absolutely love kneading on you, but if they get too excited, you may end up hurting them. Gently petting your cat, or placing a thick towel or blanket around your lap is also a simple solution to keep you close to your cat without feeling uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Just as we humans never want the same things, not all cats knead in the same way. Some will stomp their paws on blankets all day, while others may occasionally knead on your waist when they’re feeling affectionate. We may not know exactly why cats do this, but as mentioned above, there are a number of plausible reasons why. So the next time your cat tries to make a cookie on your lap, remember that he or she is probably just showing you a little love, because in his or her mind, you are a place of comfort and safety!
