You might know it as pawing, making biscuits, or even playing the piano, but the official term is kneading. This behaviour happens when cats rhythmically press each forepaw into a soft surface, often a blanket pillow, blanket cushion, or even the human they’re standing on. It’s something domestic cat breeds usually learn early on, as kitten knead around their mother’s mammary gland to help stimulate milk flow and get that nutritious reward.

Of course, your cat isn’t trying to get milk from you when they knead your body, though the thought is amusing! The truth is, no one fully understands why do cats knead into adulthood. While kneading clearly serves a purpose for a kitten, the reason cat continue this as an adult cat isn’t immediately obvious.

Still, just because the purpose isn’t clear doesn’t mean it’s absent. Cats rarely display a behaviour cat without some kind of reason, whether it’s instinct, comfort, affection cat, or a way to self soothe on a soft object. So next time your cat knead on you, remember there may be more going on than meets the eye.

Why do cats knead? This natural behaviour can have several meanings, from comfort and affection to instincts passed down from their wild ancestor.

Kneading might not always be a conscious choice driven by comfort, it could also be an automatic, hard wired behaviour cat carry from kittenhood. Kittens instinctively knead their mother’s mammary gland to help stimulate milk flow. That same sensation felt on their paws as a kitten may trigger the urge to cat knead later in life, especially when pressing into a soft surface or soft object. Certain textures might simply activate a natural response their brain remembers from those early days.

Looking at the kneading habits of wild cat species might help us better understand this curious behaviour cat owners often witness. Do wild cats in their natural habitat knead soft surfaces too? Or is this something unique to the domestic cat, who enjoys the luxury of a blanket pillow or a warm human lap?

Our domestic cats are believed to have evolved from African wildcats. One lesser known theory suggests that kneading may come from their wild ancestor’s habit of patting down grass to create a more comfortable resting spot. However, African wildcats are both predator and prey animals, and they usually seek elevated areas to rest, giving them a better view of their surroundings. Interestingly, many domestic cats still prefer sleeping in high up places, especially when they’re spooked or simply want to feel secure. That’s why it's a good idea to give your own cat access to a raised window bed or hammock.

While the exact reason cat continue to knead into adulthood remains a mystery, it’s clear this knead natural behaviour gives both feline friend and owner something to feel good about. After all, watching your cat knead blanket with happy paws and a soft purr is one of those sweet bonding moments, unless those cat claw are extra sharp!

One of the most popular theories about why do cats knead is that it brings back those same feel good emotions they experienced as a kitten knead their mother. While we can’t say for sure whether kneading always makes a cat feel good, it’s likely that there’s some kind of reward involved. After all, if the behaviour didn’t benefit them in some way, a domestic cat probably wouldn’t keep doing it. Some experts suggest that cat knead actions may trigger the release of calming brain chemicals, almost like a natural high. If kneading helps a cat feel relaxed, happy, or self soothe, it makes perfect sense that they continue the habit.

If your cat knead much more than usual, or suddenly stops kneading altogether, it might be a sign that something’s not quite right. Since kneading is often a way for a cat to self soothe, a sudden change in this behaviour cat show when they're stressed, uncomfortable, or even in pain. If you notice unusual patterns or shifts in how your domestic cat behaves, it’s best to consult your vet to rule out any health or behavioural concerns.