Why do cats knead fluffy things?
Do your cats do that thing?” I’ve been asked before. “March in place on blankets and stuff?”
It’s such an odd thing to witness—a cat, seemingly hypnotized by nothing, plowing her front paws resolutely into a fluffy surface. It’s called “kneading,” and yes, my cats do that thing too.
In fact, I’m fairly certain that with the right mood and given the right materials, any cat can be coaxed into this strange trance. But…why, cat? WHY? As if you weren’t weird enough…
Let’s get baking!
Why “kneading,” exactly?
Well, cat kneading is also colloquially known as “making biscuits,” since the rhythmic pushing motions cats make with their paws is said to resemble a baker kneading dough.
Here’s an uncomfortably sensual visual of the aforementioned in action:
And here’s the real thing:
Absolutely uncanny, no? You can barely tell which is which. Just squishy things everywhere.
The pursuit of comfort
So many cat behaviors and quirks can be attributed to the relentless pursuit of comfort, in all its forms. Like naps. And warmth. And security.
Cats purr to lull themselves into a greater state of relaxation, and as a form of self-soothing.
They seek higher ground to enhance their feeling of safety and security.
They groom incessantly to self-soothe and maintain control.
Suffice it to say, if an action brings them any sort of comfort, cats will partake with abandon.
Any kneading, my friends, is just about the most comforting activity a kitty can conjure up in her little fur brain.
The origins of kneading
As kittens, cats will knead their mothers’ warm, fluffy underbellies to stimulate milk flow. Think of the coziness, the sweet smells, and the absolutely divine comfort a kitten must feel in that situation.
This kneading behavior, akin to sucking one’s thumb, persists into a cat’s adulthood as an instinctual “tick” that occurs when a cat is feeling particularly relaxed and comfortable.
Some cats will even suckle their blankets while kneading, lending further credence to this theory.
Not quite mum, but close enough.
In the wild, adults cats also practice kneading in—you guessed it—yet another pleasant and cozy situation. Just before they settle in for a nap, a cat will knead the grass and foliage beneath her paws to tamp down a comfortable sleeping surface. This kneading is almost always accompanied by purring—another soothing behavior cats utilize to double down on relaxation.
So if purring is equivalent to a contented smile, purring and kneading would be a contented smile while sucking a thumb and cuddling a favorite blanky.
What, you didn’t know? When they’re not being neurotic psychos, cats are little more than giant fuzzy babies (armed with a fistful of needle daggers).
When you become the dough
The first time my cat kneaded my doughy post-dinner food belly, my husband burst out laughing. Indignant, I glared into Sita’s blissfully content little face and grumbled, “What are you trying to tell me, woman??”
Fortunately, we keep our cats’ nails trimmed and tidy, so her fit of misplaced euphoria didn’t leave any lasting (physical) marks. But for those with fidgety cats who loathe having their nails trimmed, this situation is a lot less amusing.
The next time your cat decides to dig her claws into your lap or your winter fat reserves, gently redirect her attention to something more appropriate.
Never scream or yell.
(A cat kneading their human is essentially saying, “I love you. You are my comfort. I have never felt more safe and happy.” A negative reaction to that would be the ultimate dick move.)
Instead, keep a soft, fuzzy blanket or pillow close by that you can relocate her to. Soon, she’ll automatically direct her kneading sessions there instead of onto your love handles.
Dis my kneading pillow.
And there you have it! Hypnotic kitty biscuit-making, demystified.
Do your cats knead? How many dozens of biscuits have they baked so far? Got any favorite recipes to share?
You’ve come this far…
Why cats love / hate / resent / crave belly rubs
Yes, Cats are nutters for boxes. But why?
And finally, Proof your cat adores you. (I promise you they do!)
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My cat does it on my hot water bottle! Once he dragged it halfway down the stairs to show me.
My cat Romeo, uses me as a kneading pad, putting like a motorboat. This is always followed with a conversation, being as he is very vocal, and his demands for his message and belly rub.
My son adopted a feral kitten that came up to him on a cold winter night. She kneads me anytime she is on me. My cat, Freddy Kruger, kneads the blankets and pillows and has recently started kneading on me. As does the other cat my daughter calls Toothless but I call her Colie. We are now able to allow them to run around the house more.
Hello there
Our cats name is Katy
Actually she was named Queen Katy by her previous owner , and oh boy she lives up to it .
She treats my tummy as play -dough and uses my Mora.
lounge as a scratching board
Totally feral !
Beck and Sarah
same with my cat Hermeowni Granger
My cat Minnie(short for Minerva McGonacat) kneads me almost every time we snuggle(every day, for a lot of time. She’s currently snuggling+kneading as I type). She has no preference for place but often on my stomach/arms/thighs/wherever she can reach and purrs like a maniac. She is a very blissy kitty when she’s with me and is not a fan of most of my family and pays them little attention. My other cat Albus Dumblepaw(we call him Fat Cat) has this pair of my mums fluffy pyjama pants that he kneads obsessively whenever he sees them, it’s super adorable to watch and he sounds like a motor when he’s purring.
You win the cat names award, if there ever was one. Your cats sound hilarious and adorable! I’m lucky mine have stopped kneading my belly flub – it was getting demoralizing 😀
I think my cat needs to be friends with your cat, his name is Neville Longtail.
Aw! An excellent name.
haha same with mine. my cats name is Hermeowne Granger
Several of our cats have their favorite kneading blankets that get washed frequently because of the kitty slobber.
My mother’s cat has a morning routine with her where she kneads and gets hugs. Spoiled Cammi cat.
Awww.. What a sweet morning ritual!
Toby ‘makes biscuits’ on my tummy but BobbieSue does a 4-paw standing knead on my back. Since she is formerly feral this is the one of the few times she will get close to me. I try not to move while she is ‘busy’ because if I flinch one little bit – off she goes!!
Haha! That is such a cute and funny visual. I’m the same–I complain when my legs go numb from my cat sleeping on my lap, but when she leaves I’m devastated.
😀