Cat kneading is a paw-pushing motion used by cats. Kneading is an instinctual behavior in cats, who prefer to knead on a soft surface like a blanket, other cats, or your lap. Many cats will purr happily, go off to sleep, or simply zone out and enjoy the motion because it looks to be relaxing and comforting. Some of the more popular ideas for this feline habit are as follows.

1. WHY DO CATS KNEAD?
Cat kneading is a paw-pushing motion used by cats.
Kneading is an instinctual behavior in cats, who prefer to knead on a soft surface like a blanket,
other cats, or your lap. Many cats will purr happily, go off to sleep, or simply zone out and enjoy
the motion because it looks to be relaxing and comforting. Some of the more popular ideas for
this feline habit are as follows.
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2. 1. IF THE CAT IS KNEADING YOU BECAUSE SHE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU.
It's likely that your cat is kneading you because she feels safe around you. She's kneading you—
her new "parent"—in the same way, she kneaded her mother when she was a kitten. A soft
knead may be used to indicate her feelings of safety and security when she's with you. When
you snuggle close to your cat, she may purr for the same reason.
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3. 2. FOR MUSCLE STRETCHING
Cats are natural yoga masters who enjoy stretching out all the kinks from snoozing. Kneading
their paws is one of the numerous ways cats stay in shape until their next slumber.
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4. 3. THEY ACTIVATE THE SMELL GLANDS IN THEIR PAW PADS TO MARK WHAT’S THEIRS.
Cats are territorial animals, and one of the ways they protect their territory is by scent-marking
their possessions. They activate the smell glands in their sensitive paw pads by kneading their
paws on the surface of something, even you, designating that item as theirs.
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5. 4.FEMALE CATS, LOOKING FOR A MATE.
Kneading is also done by female cats for another purpose. While resting on their side, they may
purr, stretch, and knead the air to signal male cats that they might approach for prospective
mating.
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6. 5. TO SHOW PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS, WHEN CATS CARESSED OR SNUGGLED.
Happy cats appear to knead to express their delight. When being caressed or snuggled into a
resting area, cats frequently knead. Your cat might knead on your lap to express her love and
contentment, then settle in for a pat or a snooze. Kneading might help a nervous cat relax and
unwind.
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7. 6. HELPS CATS CREATE A SOFT SLEEPING
Kneading may assist cats to create a comfy sleeping area, similar to the belief that dogs turn in
circles before settling down. Our domesticated feline ancestors used to knead tall grass into
comfy mounds for a resting area, and this habit may still be instinctive.
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8. 7. PURRING WHILE THEY KNEAD, THEY TRY TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
You may have noticed your cat purring while kneading at times. Your kitty pal may simply be
attempting to catch your attention in these situations. It's possible they're hungry, want to go
outside, or just want a good scratch behind the ears.
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