Why Do Cats Make Biscuits With Their Paws: Internet Answers

If you have a cat, then you're probably seen them kneading before, or pushing around a blanket or soft object in a way that looks just like making biscuits. This is just one of those kitten instincts that never go away. Kneading is something that domestic cats do quite a lot, but have you wondered what the actual explanation is for why they do this? You'll see cats doing it to fluffy blankets, they'll do it to you, and they'll do it to other fluffy things, but what is the scientific reasoning behind it from a behavioral perspective?

Thankfully, Quora users took to the internet to use their knowledge to explain exactly why cats do this. Many of us may have heard the most simplistic explanation, which is that when cats are little babies, they normally do that to their mothers, and they just continue the habit in old age, but this is only a small piece of the detailed explanations that people gave. We've collected all of the explanations below, and we hope that you enjoy. Whether your cats knead or not, all cats are paw-sitively adorable! 

Author image for Ellie Dunn Ellie Dunn
Advertisement
  • 01
    Cat - Jaimes Roe, I have studied many animals, with a focus on cats (big and small) and coyotes. This is called kneading or making biscuits. With a behavior like this, that is common to almost all cats, the answer is that it likely serves multiple purposes. While we don't know for certain, we can make some educated guesses about this behavior:
    via Jaimes Roe

    Awww look at this awwdorable photo of a cat trying to make biscuits out of a couch cushion. A classic photo of a fur baby being a fur baby, so pure and sweet. We're very interested in what James Row is going to say, because we actually don't really know why cats do this, and we're very curious. 

  • Advertisement
  • 02
    Font - • The first is that it's a neotenic behavior leftover from kittenhood, when they would knead their mothers to help produce milk. Kitty isn't trying to get milk from the behavior, but it can indicate a feeling of safety, love, and contentment. Another example of neotenic behavior in cats is meowing. They meow at mom when they're hungry. They learn that meowing at humans also works when they are hungry. Retaining these behaviors has served them well in their relationships with humans. • It
    via Jaimes Roe

    Aww, so when our cats make biscuits in our lap or while we're snuggled in bed that's their way of telling us that they feel loved and secure? Maybe we should mimic their behavior and tell them we also feel loved and secure. It can't hurt right? Cats are so sweet, we really don't deserve them, do we?

  • 03
    Font - Andy Pieters, System Administrator (2020-present) If your cat chooses to knead onto your body, take it as a sign that it accepts you as a surrogate mother (even if you are a male). Cats only knead their human when they are extremely content, happy to see you, or perhaps when they feel that it is time for noms even though you are having a lie in. In any case, it can feel a little painful when they do it on your skin, but just grin and bear it, they won't break your skin kneading. When they
    via Andy Pieters
  • 04
    Cat - Nadir Now, former Cat Expert n Kneading is when your cat alternates their front paws in a rhythmic fashion on a soft, squishy surface. Cats knead on beds, on soft blankets, and sometimes, they knead their humans. To you, it may look like your cat is kneading dough to make delicious bread or cookies, but the kitty habit is not simply for fun.
    via Nadir Now
  • Advertisement
  • 05
    Font - While there is no definite one answer as to why cats knead, there are a few solid theories as to why cats engage in this bizarre ritual of "making biscuits." Here are five possible reasons why your cat needs to knead. 1)-It's Instinctual Behavior From When They Were A Kitten Kittens knead at their mother's tummy when they're hungry and looking for milk. A nursing kitten will instinctively knead at their mother's abdomen to help stimulate milk production. Because kittens use this motion to
    via Nadir Now
  • 06
    Font - 2)-They're Showing You They Care Often when cats knead, it's to show how content and happy they are. Have you ever noticed how your cat kneads your lap after you've given them a rather satisfactory petting session? They may be "petting" you back. Unfortunately, this can be a painful experience, as some cats use their sharp nails in the kneading process. It may be instinct for you to scold your cat for inflicting pain on you, but try not to. Your cat does not realize that kneading is a pai
    via Nadir Now
  • 07
    Rectangle - 3)-They're Preparing A Place To Rest Our house cats' wild ancestors kneaded tall grasses to make a cozy and secret place to sleep and rest. Many wildcats today still do this. The habit has passed down to our domestic house kitties. If your cat is super comfortable on your lap, they may knead it to make it even more comfy for their resting needs.
    via Nadir Now
  • Advertisement
  • 08
    Font - 4)-They're Marking Territory : Kneading your sofa or your lap can be your cat's way of marking their territory. Cat paws have scent glands that secrete your cat's unique scent. You may not be able to smell it, but other cats can. Kneading a person or a comfy place is sometimes a discreet way your cat is telling other kitties to back off. You can redirect this behavior by providing your cat with an appropriate scratching post. Reward them when they use it so they understand that this is wh
    via Nadir Now
  • 09
    Font - Randy Berg, studied at Skyview High School Well, I am assuming your talking about an adult cat so let's start with the theory on how cats "view" a human. The closest thing a generally solitary or loose society species like a cat has to their human is a mother. This is reflected in the fact that cats rarely meow in the wild except as kittens and use it to interact with their mothers. We also know that the kneading as part of the nursing process, so it could be that as you are a mother figu
    via Randy Berg
  • 10
    Font - Daniel Jones, works at CR England I think that when they are mature, they do it for their own reasons. Had full-grown cats knead and nurse on pillows, had one that couldn't get enough of rubbing my moustache, had one that loved to knead his paws in hair. That guy was actually pretty good, the scalp massage was great! All cats have their own pesonalities, just like dogs, or any other animal. I've seen full grown humans suck their thumb. Go figure. I just leave it to the nature of the indiv
    via Daniel Jones
  • Advertisement
  • 11
    Gesture - Michelle Callard-Stone, MS, PhD Animal Behavior, PhD/ UC Davis Originally Answered: Do cats knead because they are happy? Yes. Why? Ok. Bear with me.
    via Michelle Callard-Stone
  • 12
    Font - One thing that has happened during domestication is the preservation of so-called "neotenous" traits. (Neotenous means having juvenile appearances or tendencies.) In dogs, for example, adult dogs retain the neotenous traits of tail-wagging and whimpering, two traits which are only seen in juvenile wolves. Likewise, in domestic cats, kneading is a neotenous trait. It is usually seen only in kittens when nursing, where it serves to stimulate milk let-down in the mother cat. When it is seen
    via Michelle Callard-Stone

    Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Then you're in luck because we're now on Instagram! 

For a weekly dose of animal-themed community challenges - Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Find us on Instagram!

Tags

Cats why-do-cats aww adorable kitten acting like animals why cute kittens animals
Scroll down for the next article

Also From I Can Has Cheezburger?

Trending Now

24-year-old who was catsitting little sister's unspayed $2,500 Maine Coon for a week suddenly refuses to return the cat to her sister who's had her for a whole year, claiming the feline was malnourished: 'My dad said we should get cops involved'

24-year-old who was catsitting little sister's unspayed $2,500 Maine Coon for a week suddenly refuses to return the cat to her sister who's had her for a whole year, claiming the feline was malnourished: 'My dad said we should get cops involved'

01
"Stray" cat visits student's bedroom every night, he feeds the hungry feline and snuggles with them hoping that one day they will stay for good

"Stray" cat visits student's bedroom every night, he feeds the hungry feline and snuggles with them hoping that one day they will stay for good

02
28 Cat Memes Teaching You How to Live by the Way of the Cat

28 Cat Memes Teaching You How to Live by the Way of the Cat

03
'[For] more than a year, I slept outside with her every night': Kind man saves a lion cub who was abandoned by her mother, hand-raises her himself for 10 years and creates an unbreakable bond with her

'[For] more than a year, I slept outside with her every night': Kind man saves a lion cub who was abandoned by her mother, hand-raises her himself for 10 years and creates an unbreakable bond with her

04
Woman rescues the tiniest kitten off of the streets, after noticing he isn't growing she discovers he's a dwarf cat, goes viral: 'He's gonna be a tiny cat furever!'

Woman rescues the tiniest kitten off of the streets, after noticing he isn't growing she discovers he's a dwarf cat, goes viral: 'He's gonna be a tiny cat furever!'

05
25 of the Funniest and Freshest Feline Tweets to Fill Your Week With Pawsitivity (April 27, 2025)

25 of the Funniest and Freshest Feline Tweets to Fill Your Week With Pawsitivity (April 27, 2025)

06
Advertisement