{"id":524116,"date":"2022-12-09T19:03:29","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T16:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/why-do-cats-knead\/"},"modified":"2022-12-09T19:03:29","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T16:03:29","slug":"why-do-cats-knead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-do-cats-knead\/","title":{"rendered":"#Why do cats knead?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bf2ae198d5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bf2ae198d5\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-do-cats-knead\/#%E2%80%9CWhy_do_cats_knead%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Why do cats knead?&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CWhy_do_cats_knead%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Why do cats knead?&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"We may also reinforce kneading by rewarding our cat with attention when they do it. Credit: Shutterstock\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.jpg\" alt=\"Why do cats knead?                  \" title=\"We may also reinforce kneading by rewarding our cat with attention when they do it. Credit: Shutterstock\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                We may also reinforce kneading by rewarding our cat with attention when they do it. Credit: Shutterstock<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Kneading&#8221; is when cats massage an object with the front paws, which extend and retract, one paw at a time.<\/p>\n<section class=\"article-banner first-banner ads-336x280\"><!-- \/4988204\/Phys_Story_InText_Box --><br \/>\n      <\/section>\n<p>This massaging action, named for its resemblance to kneading dough, is repeated rhythmically. You may have spotted your cat kneading and wondered how on Earth they developed such a behavior. <\/p>\n<p>So, why <i>do<\/i> cat&#8217;s knead? Does it tell us anything about how they&#8217;re feeling and is there anything you can do if they&#8217;re painfully kneading you while sitting on your lap?<\/p>\n<p><b>The evolutionary background of kneading<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Cats first begin to knead when just tiny kittens, still nursing from their mother. Kneading is associated with suckling, which helps stimulate a mother cat&#8217;s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1558787815001549?casa_token=nni3dUGA1rgAAAAA:7qOLyFPmT-VXBldoBVcdTHnk-AJMPQWLIn_b5msLWZfP9_ie2Sm7vVrvLiDdAgwpbwXRG__g6dV0\">milk supply<\/a> through the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0093691X05001858?casa_token=SoJdiUqZkmkAAAAA:7uJrsVcDFuKKY-c4li7l2Y7Q-sk-77_82Pe_2KUVdzSe5uM3kc8NUTUFRAus5I2u8mCgI3oec9s\">release of oxytocin<\/a> and likely evolved for this reason. <\/p>\n<p>Kneading also has another evolutionary advantage. It can be used as a form of tactile and pheromone communication between kitten and mother. <\/p>\n<p>Cats have scent glands in their soft paw pads, and when they knead, these glands release pheromones (chemical messages used to communicate). <\/p>\n<p>Kneading on their mother releases <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0195-5616(02)00128-6\">pheromones<\/a> associated with bonding, identification, health status or many other messages.<\/p>\n<p>One of these, known as &#8220;cat <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>easing pheromone,&#8221; is released by the sebaceous glands round the mammary glands.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"mb-4\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Why do cats knead?\"\/><meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch\/?v=4VURISwI_ck\"\/><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Credit: Andrea Harvey\"\/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2022-12-09T08:00:27-05:00\"\/><meta itemprop=\"embedUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4VURISwI_ck\"\/><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/4VURISwI_ck\/maxresdefault.jpg\"\/><br \/>\n             <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cat kneading\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4VURISwI_ck?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up mt-4\" itemprop=\"caption\">Credit: Andrea Harvey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Pheromones are not only important for bonding between the mother and young. Cat appeasing pheromone also has the potential to treat <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1177\/1098612X18774437\">aggression<\/a> in mature cats. <\/p>\n<p>    <b>If kneading is a kitten behavior, why is my adult cat still doing it?<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>While kneading evolved to stimulate milk supply and express chemical and tactile messages between kitten and mother, it&#8217;s also a common behavior in adult cats, because of something called <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/B9780123945860000019\">neoteny<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Neoteny is when an animal retains their juvenile physical or behavior traits into adulthood. It&#8217;s likely these traits are advantageous for cats when needing to <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a>ize with humans and other cats or animals in the household. <\/p>\n<p>Kneading, in particular, may be retained into adulthood because it can help communicate messages.<\/p>\n<p>Kneading on your lap is a cat&#8217;s way of saying &#8220;we&#8217;re affiliated&#8221; or &#8220;you&#8217;re in my social group.&#8221; Or, to be very human about it, &#8220;you&#8217;re my person.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>We may also reinforce kneading by rewarding our cat with attention when they do it. <\/p>\n<p>Some cats like to knead on soft or woolen blankets while also <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jveb.2015.07.038\">sucking<\/a> on the material, as if from a teat. This may be relaxing or soothing for the cat because of this association. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"mb-4\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Why do cats knead?\"\/><meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/video\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.mp4\"\/><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Kneading likely indicates your cat is comfortable. Credit: Giphy\"\/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2022-12-09T08:00:51-05:00\"\/><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/video_tmb\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.mp4.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/video\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.mp4\"\/><video class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\" id=\"jwVID71882\" controls=\"\" poster=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/video_tmb\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.mp4.jpg\"><source src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/video\/2022\/why-do-cats-knead.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"\/><\/video><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up mt-4\" itemprop=\"caption\">Kneading likely indicates your cat is comfortable. Credit: Giphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>What does kneading say about how our cats are feeling?<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>In most cases, kneading likely indicates your cat is comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the kneading (and especially sucking) occur very frequently, for a long time, appear compulsive or are beginning to damage your cat&#8217;s paws, legs or mouth, it may be a sign your cat is stressed or in pain and needs to see a vet. <\/p>\n<p>Kneading and sucking can become compulsive, a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1558787815001215?via%3Dihub\">particular problem in Siamese and Birman cats<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Some cats don&#8217;t knead at all. Just like people, cats are individuals and like to show that they are comfortable or affiliated with you in their own ways. <\/p>\n<p>    <b>Help! My cat kneading is hurting my legs<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>Kneading is a normal behavior that may be an important part of your cat feeling bonded with you. If your cat&#8217;s claws are getting a little too involved for your liking then invest in a thick blanket that you can cover your legs with. Avoid telling them off or kicking them off your lap. <\/p>\n<p>Instead, reward kneading where the claws are kept to a minimum by showing more attention via patting or handing out a food treat when your cat is kneading the way you would like them to.<\/p>\n<p>You can even add in a cue to request the claws go away. Something short like &#8220;pads!&#8221; would be a good option. Simply associate the word and a food reward with the behavior you want. <\/p>\n<p>And if you need your cat more than they knead you, that&#8217;s OK too.<\/p>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium mt-4\">\n<p>                                                    Provided by<br \/>\n                                                                                                            The Conversation<br \/>\n                                                                                                                <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\"><br \/>\n                                                            <svg><use href=\"https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"article-main__note mt-4\">\n                                                  This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-do-cats-knead-192743\">original article<\/a>.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/192743\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>                                                    <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                    Why do cats knead? (2022, December  9)<br \/>\n                                                    retrieved  9 December 2022<br \/>\n                                                    from https:\/\/phys.org\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2022-12-cats-knead.html<\/p>\n<p>                                             This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                             part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2022-12-cats-knead.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Why do cats knead?&#8221; We may also reinforce kneading by rewarding our cat with attention when they do it. Credit: Shutterstock &#8220;Kneading&#8221; is when cats massage an object with the front paws, which extend and retract, one paw at a time. This massaging action, named for its resemblance to kneading dough, is repeated rhythmically. 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