Cats are some of the most elegant, loving, and precious pets you can have at home. But try asking any owner about strange behaviors. They will surely have a tale or two about their furry friend. A lot of those stories would revolve around making biscuits.
They sometimes do this on a blanket, on the sofa, or even on their human’s lap. Learn more about this cute but strange action your cat does.
What Is Making Biscuits?
Making biscuits is another term for cat kneading. That is when your cat stands on a soft blanket or their human’s lap and starts to push down, alternating between paws. The action they do looks similar to how people knead dough to make biscuits, hence the term.
Most domesticated cats do this action, and they usually choose a soft surface when doing this. They can do it on pillows, cushions, carpets, and even your face.
After every push, their claws can come out and grasp whatever they are pushing on. As they lift their paws, the cushion cover, blanket, or whatever they are standing on will come up. That makes it look like they are kneading dough.
The movement of each paw takes about a second or two, taking their time. While they do this mostly on soft surfaces, you can sometimes find your cat instinctively doing this on hard surfaces, making it look like they are marching.
While not all of them do this, cats of any age make biscuits. Owners originally thought that only younger ones do this due to the movement being associated with breastfeeding. However, even older cats knead.
If you wonder why your cat does this, you are not alone.
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Reasons for Cats Making Biscuits
There is no clear correlation between when and why cats make biscuits. Sometimes, they do it while being petted or scratched. Others knead and purr while finding a position to sleep. There are times when your cat makes biscuits for no apparent reason. Nothing happens before and after the action that would indicate why they did it.
There are several explanations offered as to why cats make biscuits. A simple theory is about stretching. Much like how people like to stretch to get comfortable in bed or on a chair. They start making biscuits to release tension from the muscles and tendons of their legs and paws.
It has been observed that cats can knead before or after taking a nap. That is accompanied by purring and stretching their legs forward while arching their backs. That helps them stay nimble for jumping and climbing all over your house.
Your domesticated furry friend, like big cats out in the wild, is territorial. Kneading or making biscuits can help generate a scent coming out of their paws. So, if they knead on your pillow, it essentially marks it as part of their territory. It leaves its unique scent to ward off potential rivals and invaders.
The next time your furry friend makes biscuits on your lap, it could be their way of saying “you are mine” with their scent.
Speaking of unique scents, making biscuits can be associated with your cat looking for a mate. While they love you as their human parent, they have needs and urges to find a feline partner. Kneading can be a way to let out a specific pheromone indicating that they are looking for a mate.
Another potential reason why your cat makes biscuits is similar to why dogs circle a specific area before laying down. The action essentially prepares their bed for nap time. In the wild, cats pat down the grass to make a comfortable surface for their body. At home, that means patting down blankets or their cat bed to get the best results.
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Expressing Emotions
While most of the explanations so far relate to normal behaviors, you may want to observe if your cat makes a lot of biscuits. Felines, like humans, can experience a wide range of emotions. That can include happiness, sadness, and even anxiety.
Try to observe what your cat does before and after kneading on objects. That can be a sign that they are stressed about something. An easy sign to check is if they do this a lot and if they seem fidgety during this time. You can seek professional help for your furry pet by going to your vet if you think they are stressed or experiencing anxiety.
One of the most common is because it gives them comfort. Kittens knead their mom’s belly to stimulate the flow of milk as they nurse. It gives them comfort, much like how you fidget to release tension.
For cats, it gives them that familiar feeling that it will be all right. They knead on their mom’s belly when they are hungry, and milk will come. They associate the act of kneading with the rewarding feeling and comfort they get from nursing with their mom.
Your Cat Loves You
If your cat makes biscuits on you, it could mean they look at you as their mom. They are trying to find comfort in you. It could also show their undying affection for you as their human parent. It is a vulnerable act that they showcase to someone they trust their well-being to.
While your cat jumping on your lap and making a biscuit is a loving gesture, it can be a painful experience for you because their claws can get involved. It can pierce past your clothes and grab your skin as they pull up, which can cause a lot of pain.
As they say, true love hurts. And while the gesture is loving and showing appreciation for how you take care of them, be prepared to take a few scratches.
Do not blame your cat if you get hurt as they make biscuits on you. They do not know that it hurts for you. But that does not mean you are out of options.
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What Can Owners Do?
You generally do not have to worry about your cat making biscuits, especially if it is just now and then on pillows and carpets. However, if they start kneading on your lap on the reg, and you feel the piercing pain of their claws, there are steps you can take to prevent the pain.
For example, you can purchase cat nail guards to protect your skin from their claws. That is also useful if they make biscuits a lot on your furniture, leaving them damaged or scratched.
Another option is to learn how to clip their nails. Cat claws can become very sharp since they are natural predators. You can prevent pain and property damage by using the best cat nail clippers. It takes some time for both you and your feline friend to become used to the process, but through patience and perseverance, you will get there.
If all else fails, a good cat mat or pillow can work to protect your lap. You can use it to create a barrier between your legs and their claws. You do not even have to buy anything special. An old towel or blanket can work well for this purpose. That allows your cat to showcase their love without breaking any skin.
When your cat makes biscuits a lot before sleeping, you may want to consider changing their bed. Their current one may not fit their preference or be comfortable enough. There are a lot of cat beds available today made for your feline friend’s needs. A comfortable place to sleep can distract them from kneading too much on your pillows or couch.
Make sure your cat also has a lot of things to do and toys to play with. There are cat toys you can buy specifically for kneading. They are soft and comfortable. If you do not want them scratching your skin or blankets, buy exciting cat toys for them to play with all day long.
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Final Thoughts
Be very mindful of what your cat is doing before and after they knead on things. Their mood can express the reason why they do this. If you notice that your cat is unresponsive or does not want to play with you, they could be stressed.
Your cat can get anxious because of different reasons. One is they may be detecting an intruder to their territory. They have a strong sense of smell and can notice other cats or pets close by. While they are generally adaptable, some changes to the environment can also cause them stress. Renovation work or seeing new people can make them anxious. A sign of that can be consistent kneading.
When your cat feels threatened, unsafe, anxious, or stressed, they will hide and spend most of their time alone. Your cat can seem tense and have its ears flapped down. They can seem irritable and express aggression to other pets in the house. If you notice this, you should look for the reason why they are stressed. You can also bring them to the vet to get help identifying the problem.
Be mindful of the things your cat does. While kneading is normal behavior for cats, the reason behind it can differ. Try to observe their surroundings and how they act before and after making biscuits. By understanding your cat, you will be able to provide what they need.
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