Why Does My Cat Knead Me? 6 Common Reasons

by John Griffith Nov 4, 2022 @ 13:11

If you have a little furry friend at home you may have noticed they like to knead. However, you may be wondering “why does my cat knead me?”. Well, there really isn’t just one answer to this question. Cats are curious creatures and have many ways of showing their love, or hate. And sometimes the same behavior may mean two completely different things. For example, a tail wag may mean they feel annoyed, however it may also mean they are excited. It’s important to take the context of the situation in, as well as how quick the wag is. So, when it comes to kneading in particular, these little “bakers” may be doing it for a couple of reasons.

You may be wondering “why does my cat knead me?”

Cats are curious creatures and have many ways of showing their love

In this article
Why Does My Cat Knead Me?
#To Show Love
#Marking Territory
#Preparing Their Resting Spot
#Reduce Stress
#Going Into Heat
#Healing Properties
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Why Does My Cat Knead Me?

Kneading is something completely normal and is an instinctive trait in cats. They love to find a soft surface, such as a blanket, your lap, or even other animals to “make their biscuits” on. However, some cats enjoy this activity more than others, so don’t expect it from all cats. But why do they do? What reasons may they have for kneading. Well, as we mentioned it does highly depend on the context of the situation. However, here are some of the most common reasons cats knead.

Kneading is something completely normal and is an instinctive trait in cats

#To Show Love

Cats are strange creatures, and while many people may believe they don’t show love, they do. You just have to know which behavior shows it. Cats often knead when they are being pet, when they are snuggling or just chilling. This is their way to show affection. In general if your cat is grooming you (licking), kneading, purring, pushing their head towards you, blinking slowly or rubbing themselves against you, it’s their way of telling you “I love you”.

This is their way to show affection and love

#Marking Territory

Cats have several ways of marking their territory. These include spraying, licking and kneading. All of these behaviors leave behind a very unique scent, and it’s your cat’s way of telling other animals that this is theirs. There are sweat glands in your cat’s paws and scratching and kneading helps to deposit this scent. So, if your cat is kneading you or anything in the home, they are sending a message to not mess with her things.

Cats have several ways of marking their territory

#Preparing Their Resting Spot

If your little furry friend has a favorite spot to nap, they may like to mark the spot. As we mentioned, they do so by several behaviors, and kneading is one of them. So, if you see your cat kneading a pillow, cat bed, or even your bed, they are telling you it’s their spot. Kneading a place is also a way for them to make it more comfy. It’s the cat equivalent of fluffing up a pillow.

Kneading a place is also a way for them to make it more comfy

#Reduce Stress

Hey, even cat’s need to unwind from time to time. And their way to do so is to start kneading. Your cat may need you if they are feeling uneasy or anxious in a way to unwind. After all, cats do seek comfort and kneading can help them release tension and calm down. In a nutshell, they are using you like a stress ball.

Even cat’s need to unwind from time to time

#Going Into Heat

Some female cats may start to knead constantly when they are going into their estrus cycle, which is also known as going into heat. They use the activity of kneading to show males that they are ready for mating and to catch their attention. This is completely normal, and it’s very difficult to discourage this natural behavior, so if you want to alleviate such symptoms, you may want to take into consideration spaying.

Some female cats may start to knead constantly when they are going into heat

#Healing Properties

For centuries people have believed that cats are amazing healers. They somehow always know what is a person’s problem spot and try to “heal” them by laying on the problem area, purring on it, licking it or kneading it. So, your cat may be trying to tell you there is something wrong, and they are trying to heal you.

For centuries people have believed that cats are amazing healers

These were the most common reasons for kneading in cats. We hope we managed to answer the question of “why does my cat knead me?”. Now you won’t have to wonder why your cat has started making “biscuits” and you can understand the reason in the situation’s context.

These were the most common reasons for kneading in cats

Sources:

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.