It is said that a cat "kneads" when it starts to knead with its paws on a surface, like a cushion for example, a blanket, or even your belly. The origin of this little funny dance can have several explanations, and we’ll discuss them in this article.
What does "kneading" or "petrissage" look like?
It’s recognizable from a mile away!
With its front paws, your cat will start a kind of little dance. It will then perform kneading movements, one paw after the other, simultaneously, on a soft blanket or directly on you! It stretches its paws one after the other, sometimes closes its eyes, and purrs happily.
When will my cat knead?
Generally, a cat will knead when it is happy and feels relaxed. Sometimes this behavior can be triggered by a reassuring smell, like that of its owner, for example. We also often notice that our cats purr while they knead (and we can’t resist even more!).
Of course, each cat is unique, and not all cats will knead at the same frequency. Some will knead a surface several times a day, while others do it more rarely.
Why does my cat knead or "petrir"?
A juvenile behavior
This adorable behavior is directly linked to the time when your cat was still a kitten. It would knead its mother’s teats to stimulate milk production for nursing. One could even say that this behavior is tied to the survival instinct at the time of its birth.
Kneading continues into adulthood, and it is not considered abnormal. It has not been observed that orphaned kittens knead more than others. However, some believe that "excessive" kneading might be associated with early weaning. In general, a kitten that was separated from its mother too early will tend to suckle on blankets or covers while kneading.
A strategy to mark its territory?
Another theory to explain kneading: your cat might be marking its territory.
Indeed, our cats are territorial animals, and they have different ways of marking their territory:
- Urine marking: this happens against a vertical surface, and it should not be confused with incontinence, which is a different issue.
- Facial marking: your cat rubs its head, nose, and cheeks against furniture, other cats, or humans to leave pheromones.
- Scratching: scratching allows your cat to leave both a visual and chemical message. In general, the target is the couch or carpet!
Although scratching and kneading are two distinct behaviors, since cats have paw glands located between their pads, kneading could also be a way to release pheromones.
Behavior amplified during heat
If you have a female cat that has not been spayed, it is likely you will notice a change in her behavior during heat.
She will signal to males that she is available for mating. For example, she may become more affectionate than usual, meow a lot, and knead more frequently.
Maybe she’s trying to communicate
What if your cat is trying to send you a message when it kneads?
For example, it might be a way to show you that she feels safe and comfortable with you.
Some even believe that this is a way for our cats to recreate the symbiotic bond they had with their mother when they were kittens.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more about your little companion’s behavior, we recommend reading:
- Why does my cat follow me everywhere?
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