Why do cats knead? Where does this behavior come from and when kneading can be harmful to your pet

If you have a cat, at some point you’ve seen her “knead” blankets, pillows, and oddly reluctant knees.

This repetitive kneading motion is an evolutionary behavior named for its resemblance to dough kneading.

And while some cats don’t knead it regularly, others bend their paws so hard they injure themselves in a startling act of bewildering coercion.

Why is my cat hugging me?

In most cases, the cat will knead when it suits her.

As Julia Henning and Susan Hazel from the University of Adelaide explain in an article Talk: “Cats first start kneading when they are still little kittens still being fed by their mother.

“Grooming is associated with suckling, which stimulates the mother cat’s milk production through the release of oxytocin, and probably for this reason.”

“[It] also has another evolutionary advantage. It can be used as a form of tactile and pheromone bonding between kitten and mother.

Why do cats knead until adulthood?

In fact, pheromones are important for more than just mother-child bonding. Feline bitch pheromones can also treat aggression in adult cats.

While cats learn to knead as kittens, many retain this habit into adulthood due to a behavior known as “neoteny”.

Henning and Hazel say: “Neoteny is when an animal retains its youthful physical or behavioral characteristics into adulthood.

“It’s likely that these traits are beneficial for cats when they need to communicate with people and other cats or animals in the house.”

When does it become unhealthy?

Some cats compulsively knead, resulting in damage to the paws, paw pads or muzzle.

Henning and Hazel say you may need to see a veterinarian at this point, as it “may be a sign that your cat is stressed or in pain.”

Compulsive kneading has been found to be a more common problem, especially in Siamese and Burmese cats.

However, some cats don’t knead at all. Just like people, cats are individuals and like to show that they are comfortable or bond with their owners in their own way.

How to make a cat stop rubbing me?

Henning and Hazel explain that kneading is normal and can be important for a cat owner’s bond.

However, if kneading starts to hurt your perineum, they recommend that you “invest in a thick blanket that can cover your legs.

“Don’t tell them and don’t knock them off their knees.

“Instead, reward kneading that minimizes scratching by showing more attention, patting, or giving treats when your cat kneads the way you want.”