Have you ever noticed a cat pulling their paws back and forth on a soft surface such as a blanket, a piece of furniture, or even you? This movement is described as “kneading.” Why do cats knead? The most logical explanation is because it is a comfort behavior. When a kitten is nursing from its mom it uses similar movements to stimulate the milk to let down into the nipple so it can eat. The mother cat also used a similar motion to fluff up the sleeping area for the kittens to make it softer for them. We know that a kneading cat is happy, content, and comfortable. So if you are “kneaded” by your cat, be glad that your cat is happy and sharing this pleasure with you.
