WE KNOW WHY CATS KNEAD. BUT HERE’S WHY HUMANS LOVE IT SO MUCH

Max Branch’s Brooklyn home has turned into a biscuit-making hub, thanks to his seven cats who diligently knead away every day. Their soft paws press into anything that resembles a comfy surface, and the rhythmic motions are reminiscent of dough being worked.

Cat owners and enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok have long marveled at cats’ natural talent for dough-kneading, particularly when they press their paws into cozy spots like blankets or pillows. Wailani Sung, a cat behaviorist who contributed to the 2022 Netflix documentary Inside the Mind of a Cat, explains that cats start kneading as kittens when nursing from their mothers. However, many continue this comforting behavior into adulthood, much to the joy of their human companions.

“In some ways, a pet is like having a little alien in your home,” said Branch, whose cats are all foster-fails. “And this behavior, strange as it is, becomes endearing because of its oddness.”

Experts believe humans are naturally captivated by this feline quirk, finding it both adorable and surprisingly serious. On social media, videos of cats donning baker’s hats while kneading pillows and blankets have earned thousands of likes, with viewers drawn to the unique charm of their dough-making antics.

Why do cats knead?

Kittens knead their mother’s mammary glands while nursing, likely to stimulate milk release, a process known as “milk letdown,” explained Sung, an animal behavior expert based in Walnut Creek, California. Adult cats continue this behavior, pressing one paw after the other into soft surfaces with intense focus, extending their toes and claws with each gentle push.

Many cat owners refer to this behavior as “making biscuits,” according to Sung.

“The repetitive motion of their paws—honestly, if we placed dough under them, I’m sure they’d knead it,” Sung remarked.

To encourage this behavior, cat owners can provide soft, plush blankets and other cozy surfaces, Branch advised.

“Anything that kind of mimics a mom cat’s belly,” he said.

Kneading likely calms cats, or signals a happy kitty

Adult cats likely knead because it’s a comforting, feel-good behavior, and their owners often share in that positivity, Branch explained.

“We find it endearing because they usually do it when they’re happy or seeking comfort, which are the main reasons we have pets in the first place,” Branch added.

Adult cats might knead a pile of laundry on the couch when they’re feeling anxious, as a way to soothe themselves, Sung explained. Other cats may only knead when they feel secure and relaxed, signaling happiness in those moments.

“For adult cats, the behavior is likely comforting,” Sung said. “It’s as if they’re remembering the soothing feeling of kneading as kittens.”

Kneading might also help cats mark their favorite spots, as they spread their scent from the glands on their paws to the surfaces they knead, she added.

Some cats will grab a corner of a blanket or pillow in their mouth while kneading, which further suggests the behavior originates from their kittenhood when they nursed from their mother, Sung said. Her own cat, Olly, a white and gray feline, even drools while kneading.

“They look very blissed out and happy,” Branch said. “The fact they also look very busy is pretty cute.”

Ouch! Cats also knead their owners

Some cats also enjoy kneading on their favorite people.

Sung’s lynx point Siamese, Jaz, used to knead into her throat while she slept, while Branch’s “toxic extrovert” cat, John Junior, prefers kneading into people’s cheeks, he said.

The intensity of this behavior is your cat’s way of showing they feel comfortable and consider you part of their family, Branch explained.

Just be sure to trim your cat’s nails to avoid any unwanted scratches, Sung advised.

“They get so intense about it, like, ‘I’ve got to make the biscuits, I’ve got to!’” Sung said. “It’s hilarious because they’re so focused, and it’s such a cute behavior.”