Last Updated: 30/12/2025
Why Do Cats Knead: Understanding the 'Making Biscuits' Behaviour
Does your cat love "making biscuits" on your lap? Whether it's a leftover kitten instinct or a way to show love, our vets explain the fascinating reasons why cats knead and what your feline friend is trying to tell you when they "knead" some attention.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
If you share your home with a feline, you’ve likely experienced the rhythmic, trance-like pawing known as "kneading." Whether they are gently treading on a plush blanket or digging their claws into your favorite jumper, this quirky habit - often affectionately called "making biscuits" - is one of the most endearing yet mysterious feline traits. While it might feel like a DIY massage (albeit sometimes a painful one!), kneading is a deeply ingrained behaviour rooted in comfort, communication, and ancient instincts. Let’s dive into the feline psyche to uncover why our cats feel the need to knead.
In this article
What is kneading?
The term 'kneading' refers to the massage-like pressing of each paw into a soft surface, alternating between left and right paw in a smooth, soothing rhythm. The action closely resembles a baker kneading dough, which is why many people call it 'kneading dough' or 'making biscuits'. (other fun names for it are 'making paddycakes' and a 'shi-cat-su massage')
Every kitty has their own style of kneading. Some cats will bite or suckle on a blanket while deep in the massage zone, and some will purr intensely. Some cats like to be quite gentle with their kneading, pushing mostly with their squishy little toe beans, but others like to dig their claws in and get a nice deep nail-shedding scritch-scratch. Unfortunately, for many cats, the more 'into' the knead, the deeper and more intense their scratching
The common styles of kneading
The Gentle Petal: This sweet little angel kneads with soft, soothing motions, using only the squishiest most precious little toe beans. The Gentle Petal wants you to feel loved and is practically saying 'how's the pressure? Would you like some aromatherapy too?'
The drooler: A bit of a special little pumpkin, The Drooler will get so into their kneading they'll forget to swallow their own saliva. They may also be reminded of their mama's milk and the thought invokes some serious droolage. Who knows? Try not to embarass The Drooler by pointing or laughing - he is still a proud feline afterall and will clean himself up once his intense knead sesh is over.
The Porcupine: This spiky little kneader is anything but gentle. The Porcupine will dig her claws right in, and rip them out with gusto. It's as if she's saying 'you are nothing but a scratching post, peasant'. You may be left nursing some serious scratches, so be sure to keep a nice thick blanket around to shield your precious human skin.
The Suckler: This special petal thinks he's still a kitten, and will suckle on bits of blanket as he kneads. He may need a mother figure in his life, he may need years of therapy - either way, always treat with lots of love and attention.
The Hypnosis Guru: Nothing will distract the Hypnosis Guru from her extra-worldly kneading trance. A deeply spiritual being, The Hypnosis Guru will get so lost in the Knead Universe that her eyes may become fixed and intensely glazed over. Interrupting this psychic phenomenon can result in total universal implosion - so always treat with caution.
Why do cats knead?
Kittenhood instincts and nursing
Your kitty may be kneading due to a leftover instinct from kittenhood. Young kittens will knead on their mother's teats in order to stimulate milk production. Suckling kittens are often obsered giving their mum a mini massage while they drink.
This doesn't necessarily mean that your adult cat sees you as their 'mother'. Nor does it mean that your cat expects to express milk from you (or your blanket)! What is more likely is that your cat learned to associate the act of kneading with comfort, safety, and a tasty milk reward. Therefore when they feel comfortable and cosy, they knead as a means of association.
Marking territory and scent glands
Cats have scent glands on their paws which release scent and pheronomes when they knead or scratch a surface. Leaving their scent on objects is one way that cats mark their territory. This means that kneading might be your kitty marking you as 'their own'. Try to take it as a compliment - clearly your fur baby sees you as a commodity that they want other cats to keep their 'paws off'!
Did you know: The calming pheromone released from the paws during kneading is available in a Feliway spray bottle or diffuser, to help calm your cat around the home!
An expression of love
Kneading is often associated with feelings of comfort and relaxation, so it makes sense that cats will only knead on their 'favourite' people. If you are lucky enough to receive a kneading massage from a cat, it means they are relaxed and comfortable with you. Therefore, kneading is generally interpreted as one way that your cat 'shows love'.
There are many ways that felines show humans love, and kneading may just be the most adorble of them all.
Stretching and preparing a place to sleep
Another theory is that cats like to knead as a leftover instinct from their wild cat days. Wild cats will press their paws down into soft grass before settling in for a snooze. So if your kitty is doing this on your lap it might be a sign they think your lap looks nap-worthy!
As any cat parent knows, cats are yoga pros and love pushing the boundaries of their innate flexibilities. Kneading is one of the many ways cats keep themselves loose and flexible. Think about it - if your back is stiff, it feels good to grab onto a surface and pull against it.
Using kneading to manage stress
The fact that our feline friends can experience stress might seem a bit weird, as their 'daily grind' involves around 70% sleeping on soft surfaces, with food and litter provided for, and zero responsibilities. I mean, who wouldn't want the carefree life of a pet cat?
But despite their somewhat envious lifestyle, pet cats can still experience stress in response to many situations such as house visitors, new pets, children, new furniture, or neighbouring cats.
Kneading may be one way your kitty releases stress, partly because it helps release scent from the marking glands in their feet, and partly because it usually accompanies purring, which releases positive endorphins.
Learn more about How to Reduce Anxiety in Cats.
FAQs
Whether your cat is a "gentle petal" or a "porcupine," kneading is a heartwarming sign that they feel safe and secure in your presence. It is a unique blend of kittenhood nostalgia and a subtle way of claiming you as their favourite human. So, next time your kitty starts baking a fresh batch of biscuits on your lap, take it as the ultimate feline compliment - just perhaps keep a thick blanket nearby to protect your skin!
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 30 Dec 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
