Why Do Cats Knead?

Why do cats knead? Did some cat once long ago belong to a baker? Did their ancestors perhaps belong to a group of massage therapists? And now all cats yearn to take the stress out of everything around them?

This theory might sound absurd, and that’s mostly because we just made it up. Also because their claws do more harm than good when meeting fresh skin. And every cat parent has met these claws at least once. Probably with the marks to prove it, too!

Our kitties are complicated creatures, but we’ve made some developments in understanding cat behaviour. So, what is the real reason our furry felines knead? Apparently science isn’t 100% sure, but these are some going theories:

Cats knead to scent-mark

First up on our list is a very convincing theory: our feline friends knead as a way to scent-mark. Fun fact: cat paws are filled with scent glands. So they may very well be telling all the other cats out there that ‘hey! This is my favourite spot, got it?’.

This theory makes a lot of sense because cats, similarly to a lot of other animals, rely on scent for information a lot more than we do as humans. Fun fact number two: a cat’s smell is 14 times more powerful than our own. Really makes you wonder why they enjoy playing with our feet.

Cats experience smell in a different way to us, especially pheromones (chemicals used for communicating);

So the next time your furball comes to knead on you, remember it means that they’re scent-marking you as their own. You’re theirs and nobody else’s. They love you and they think you’re purrrfect.

And because it’s impossible not to enjoy, watch this highly satisfying video of cats kneading:

Cats knead to show affection

Ha, see what we did there? Next up we have another big possibility, and our favourite theory…

This theory says that kneading is a behaviour they learn when still with their cat-mum. Kittens knead their mum’s teats even before they’re old enough to see or hear. If you didn’t know, then fun fact number 3 is in the article: when do kittens open their eyes? Human babies that breastfeed sometimes do something similar, making rhythmic motions across mum’s heart with their hands.

While at first glance this may seem rather mysterious it’s actually simple mechanics. Their kneading movements help release the milk they’re craving.

Cats are our babies

Interestingly, it’s only domestic cats that continue kneading after kittenhood. Cats in the wild only knead as babies. So another convincing argument for ‘why cats knead’ lies in their bond with us humans.

Domestic cats carry a lot of their infant traits through to adulthood. Like for example their cat’s purr, which they develop to communicate with mum when they’re still small.

We cherish the baby-like behaviours we see in our pets, maybe it’s because they make them more endearing as pets. If you think about it, they never actually leave the nest do they? So they really are our babies, even if they’re highly independent ones.

Cat mums and dads around the world will attest to this. Basically cats are showing us cute behaviours because they feel safe, loved and connected. Kneading is one of their ways of demonstrating this. (Though we know how badly the clawing can hurt, so read these routine pet care nail cutting tips to keep it as pain free as possible.)

Why your kitty kneads cat insurance

As a pet parent you’re probably aware that health issues can cost thousands of dollars to treat and/or manage. From vet visits for testing and treatment and medication to surgery and more, the bills can stack up quickly. Give your furry felines the cat insurance they deserve and rest insured.

Not only does having a pet plan in place keep your furbaby – and your finances – safe, but if you start early you’ll get one or more months free (depending on the age of your kitty)!