Have you ever wondered why it is that your cat has a need to knead? Can anything be done to make it more comfortable for your lap and less of a threat to your favorite recliner? Here at Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, we are also fascinated by feline behavior and have compiled everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about why cats knead!

Why Cats Knead

While there have been no scientific studies done on exactly why cats knead, there are a variety of likely reasons, including:

  • Self-soothing
  • Kittens press their paws into their mother while nursing to help stimulate milk production. Kittenhood probably represents the time in your cat’s life when he or she was comfortable and cozy with mother and siblings, so it makes sense that the behavior would continue into adulthood during times when your cat is feeling relaxed and happy. Like an older child who hangs onto a blanket or still sucks his or her thumb long past babyhood, a cat’s kneading behavior is a way to help him or her to feel relaxed and comfortable.

  • Ancient Traditions
  • In the wild, cats have been observed patting down foliage to create a comfortable area to sleep or to give birth. One theory for why cats knead suggests that a bit of this behavior still lingers in our domestic cats, prompting them to try to “smooth out” a surface before they settle in for a nap.

  • Aromatherapy
  • Cats have numerous scent glands throughout their bodies and use them to communicate extensively with other cats. Territorial scent marking is a common cat behavior, so it’s quite possible that some scent is deposited during kneading, clearly commutating that your lap, couch, etc., is off-limits to other cats.

    So, the next time kitty digs his or her claws lovingly into your lap, take it as a compliment. You have a cat that not only feels comfortable in your home, but that also loves you!

If you have any questions about feline behavior, or need to schedule a wellness exam for your cat, don’t hesitate to contact us.