Why do cats knead us like lil bread makers?

Cats Forum
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So my cat’s been kneading me like I’m a pillow lately and I lowkey love it but also… kinda hurts sometimes lol. I was just wondering, why do cats even knead us? Like what’s the deal with that paw-pushin thing? Is it a cat love language or what?

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Yeah mine does this all the time when she’s about to nap on me :joy: apparently it’s a comfort thing from when they were kittens?

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Marley said:
Yeah mine does this all the time when she’s about to nap on me :joy: apparently it’s a comfort thing from when they were kittens?

Yup! It’s like a throwback to when they kneaded their mom to get milk. Wild how it sticks with them even as adults.

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@Drew
Wait so it’s like instinct?? That’s so cute :sob: no wonder mine drools when she does it lmao

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My cat only kneads when she’s in heat… is that a thing? I thought it was just her being weird :sweat_smile:

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Caden said:
My cat only kneads when she’s in heat… is that a thing? I thought it was just her being weird :sweat_smile:

Nah that’s actually a thing! Unspayed females knead during heat to show they’re ready to mate. Kinda their flirty move lol

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@Davi
Omg I had no clue :flushed: makes so much sense now why she only does it at certain times

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My boy cat always does the biscuit thing when I’m watching TV… pretty sure he just wants attention lol

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Maxwell said:
My boy cat always does the biscuit thing when I’m watching TV… pretty sure he just wants attention lol

Sameeee. Mine starts purring and looking all cute like ‘pet me hooman :smirk_cat:’

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@Rin
Lmao yeah mine pulls that move too. Can’t even get mad tho he’s too cute :skull:

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Lowkey didn’t know cats have scent glands on their paws… so when they knead, they’re like marking us?

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Uma said:
Lowkey didn’t know cats have scent glands on their paws… so when they knead, they’re like marking us?

Exactly :eyes: it’s their way of saying ‘you’re mine now’ lol. Lil possessive fluffballs

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@Blayne
Dang no wonder mine does it right after I come home. Like she’s re-claiming me :joy:

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Do all cats knead tho? My older one doesn’t but my kitten is obsessed with it :person_shrugging:

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Xian said:
Do all cats knead tho? My older one doesn’t but my kitten is obsessed with it :person_shrugging:

Not all of them do it as adults. Some just grow out of it, others keep doing it forever. Totally normal either way

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@Skyler
Ohhh got it. Thought maybe my older cat was just emotionally distant or something :sweat_smile: