Why do cats make dough

Making biscuits, kneading dough, marching—whatever you call it, kneading is a classically quirky cat behavior. And if your kitty didn’t look so cute doing it, you’d surely be annoyed when it started kneading your favorite sweater or pile of clean laundry. Of course, all of this begs the question: exactly why do cats knead?

It’s one of the most commonly asked cat queries, like “Why do cats purr?” “Why do cats meow?” “Why do cats knock things over?” and “Why do cats rub against you?” To solve the mystery of kitty kneading, we asked the experts why our feline friends love to press their paws into every soft surface they can find.

How cats knead

First off, not all cats knead, and they don’t all knead in the same way. Most cats use only their front paws, but some use all four, or even just their back legs. Some kitties bring their claws out, while others don’t. A cat kneading at your lap might hurt, but your kitty probably doesn’t have any bad intentions; it just likes how you sound when you squeak. (You know, like a mouse.)

In all seriousness, if your cat kneads, you’ve probably noticed how relaxed it seems when doing so—almost as if it’s in a trance. A kneading cat is a happy cat. But why do cats knead when the action doesn’t accomplish anything? After all, “making biscuits” doesn’t actually lead to fresh baked goods.

Even when they’re too young for their eyes to open, cute kittens need to knead, says Katy Nelson, DVM, a veterinarian with Chewy. Nursing kitties push on their mother’s abdomen when suckling to help their mother’s glands release more milk. No one is totally sure why the habit lasts through adulthood, but there are a few theories as to why cats knead.

For one thing, your cat might find it soothing. Felines grow up associating kneading with the comfort of their mama, and though they most likely don’t think about food when they’re kneading as adults, they still find it relaxing, as evidenced by the purrs you’ll probably hear as they’re doing it.

“Like a kid sucking a thumb, it’s a calming thing,” says Dr. Nelson. “A lot of cats have their eyes closed and look like they’re completely zenned out.” Maybe this is why cats sleep so much.

If you’re wondering what it means when a cat makes biscuits on you, know this: It’s a good sign. Kneading indicates a cat feels safe and happy around you—or maybe even considers you a mother figure!

Another theory is that cats knead to mark their territory. Here’s a cool cat fact: Cats have scent glands on both their faces and their paws. When felines rub their faces against the furniture or go to town on a scratching post, they’re not just letting off steam or exploring the couch. They’re also leaving behind their scent.

The same happens when your cat kneads. Paws are the only places where cats sweat, which means rubbing them against something leaves behind their smell, says Dr. Nelson.

Other experts think kneading could be traced back to our sweet, domesticated house cats’ ancestors. Those wild cats didn’t have the soft blanket or fancy cat bed that your family pet got for its birthday, so they had to work a little to make the ground as comfy as possible, says Dr. Nelson. Pushing at the grass, leaves, or dirt might have helped soften it up to “get their bed just right,” she says.

If you’re a cat owner who also owns furniture, you may spend less time wondering “Why do cats knead?” and more time asking “how can I get my cat to stop kneading?” Innocent as the habit is, it’s easy to get annoyed when your kneading cat digs its claws into your lap or furniture.

Kneading makes cats happy, says Dr. Nelson, so you should never stop your pet from doing its thing; just keep its claws short. “Keep the nails trimmed so it’s not painful and not messing up your blanket or your couch,” she says.

You could also try distracting your pet with an exciting new game—after all, everyone knows how much cats love boxes.

Source: 

• Katy Nelson, DVM, veterinarian with Chewy

Originally Published: March 24, 2022

If you’ve ever pondered your cat’s unique behavior, you’re not alone. From a love of cardboard boxes, to sleeping in circles, to pouncing on your feet, cats have no shortage of quirks. 

Among these might be the rhythmic motion your cat makes with her paws, pressing in and out, as she sits on your lap. Also known as kneading, this behavior gets its name because it resembles a baker working bread dough. 

But why do cats knead? Come along with Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital as we explore this question. 

What Is Cat Kneading?

If you have a cat, you likely know exactly what we’re talking about. Sometimes cats knead on a blanket, a pillow, or other soft object (we already mentioned your lap). Cat kneading is a pushing motion cats make with their paws, alternating from left to right. Not all cats knead, and some do so infrequently. But most cats will exhibit this behavior from time to time.

Why Do Cats Knead? 

There are a multitude of theories as to why cats knead. 

Are you my mama? – The most popular theory as to why cats knead is that adult cats keep their kitten tendency to knead. In kittenhood, kneading stimulates the mother cat’s milk while nursing. The thought is that even though adult cats kneading a soft surface doesn’t yield milk, it still evokes the nurturing feelings of safety and comfort that nursing does. 

The chosen one – Cats love their pet parents, and this is one way she tells you that. If your cat kneads on you, you can be assured that she’s showing you her undying affection. 

Yoga cat – Kneading often accompanies something else that feels good – a stretch. Cats may knead on a surface to hold on to it while stretching their back, shoulders and hind legs. And after all that napping, a good stretch is definitely warranted.

That’s mine – Cats are territorial animals, and kneading may help activate the scent marking glands located in a cat’s paws. So when a cat kneads on an object, she’s essentially saying “this is mine”.

Making the bed – Cats in the wild make nests on the ground each night for sleeping. Kneading the area to tamp down grass and brush and get rid of unwanted pests before lying down is an ancient instinct. It may be that cats knead in modern times as a throwback to this ingrained behavior. 

Love Can Hurt

Kneading is a normal and natural cat behavior. You should never punish your cat for kneading – it’s a part of her DNA. 

However, if your cat extends her claws as she kneads, it can also be painful. Make sure her nails stay trimmed, and if needed, you can also place a towel on your lap between your cat and your tender skin. 

If you want to prevent her from kneading on you entirely, move her gently to a kitty bed or soft pillow when she starts to knead. In time, she’ll learn that this is the preferred place. 

If you enjoy kneading and it’s not painful, it can be a lovely bonding time for you and your cat. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health or well being, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!