Dr. Meow Meow
Prof. Pet Studies (Veterinarian)
Have you ever seen a cat pushing its paws in and out on a soft blanket, or maybe even on your lap? This is called kneading, and it's something that many cats love to do. But why do cats knead?
Imagine your cat, feeling super relaxed, starts to push out its paws one after another. It might be on a cozy blanket, your favorite top, or even you! The cat keeps pressing its paws, almost as if it were preparing dough for baking bread! This is why some people call this behavior "making biscuits".
We've got a few ideas about why cats knead. Here are five possible reasons for this special cat action.
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Posted on June,20 2024
When kittens are still drinking milk from their mother, kneading helps them get more milk. This is because the kneading can make the mom cat's milk flow more easily.
As the kitten gets older, it might keep kneading because it brings back feelings of being cared for and loved.
For cats that haven't been fixed, kneading can be a sign that they're ready to have babies. Cats in heat have lots of hormones that make them want to cuddle more. This is nature's way of making sure the female cat is ready to have babies with a male cat.
It's really important to get your cat fixed. It's not good for cats to go into heat all the time unless they actually have babies. And there are already so many cats who need good homes. Responsible cat owners always get their cats fixed.
Just like dogs go around in circles before they lay down, cats often knead to make a comfy spot to sleep. But unlike dogs, cats might not always lie down in the spot they just made. Only the cat knows why!
Kneading can be a way for cats to stretch their muscles or calm themselves down before a nap. It can also be a trick to make you stay seated instead of getting up to grab snacks during the TV break!
Cats have special smell glands in their paws. When they knead, they leave a little bit of their smell behind. This lets other cats know, “This is MY spot.” It's like a little compliment from your cat to you!
If a cat is stressed, it won't knead. So when you see your cat starting to knead, you can feel good knowing your cat is feeling good.
No matter why your cat is kneading, remember that they only do it when they're feeling safe, relaxed, and showing love. It's a cat's way of giving a compliment!
Just remember: If your cat likes to knead on you, it's a good idea to keep their nails trimmed. Some cats can get a little bit too excited when they're kneading!
Talk about a laugh! In this side-splitting YouTube video titled ">"Cat learns to knead dough through tutorial video", a cat appears to learn how to knead dough by watching a baking tutorial.
As the baking guide shows how to turn, fold, and push the dough, our kitty seems to follow along with great interest. The sight of this cat imitating the kneading action on screen is just too funny! This video proves that not only humans find cooking shows useful - cats might too, in their own hilarious ways!
