Why Do Cats Knead Your Lap

You may not be able to smell it but other cats can.

Why do cats knead your lap. Cat kneading is a common cat behaviour often displayed as the rhythmic pushing of their paws in and out at alternating times. Kneading a person or a comfy place is sometimes a discreet way your cat is telling other kitties to back off. For many cats kneading your lap or a cushion especially in response to being stroked is a way for them to recreate that feeling of comfort of feeding on their mother. Cat paws have scent glands that secrete your cat s unique scent.

If your cat is kneading your lap when you have a cuddle they could be drawing a connection from the secure relationship they had with their mother to the relationship they have with you. Cats are territorial creatures and one of the ways they safeguard their turf is to scent mark their belongings. Their faces and paws. Many people think that it looks like they re kneading dough which is why it s also adorably known as making biscuits.

This is why some cats dribble as they knead. Kneading your sofa or your lap can be your cat s way of marking their territory. If you don t want her to knead people you can train her to knead dedicated blankets or towels by moving her gently to these items at the moment she begins to knead thereby redirecting her to the designated spot. Often cats will begin to knead the surface below them when they become comfortable.

Enjoying some affection on the couch with your cat can be an enjoyable way to build a strong bond. Cats are often portrayed as somewhat aloof and it s suggested that they only pay attention to their owners when they feed them. Cats have scent glands in two places. Sometimes a cat s claws can come out in the kneading process but it s not a sign that your cat is being mean.

By kneading their paws on the surface of something yes including you they re activating the scent glands in their soft paw pads thereby marking that item as theirs. If they come and sit in your lap it generally means they feel safe and secure with you. The opposite of this is often the case. Unfortunately this can also mean that the happier your cat is the harder they knead you sorry legs.

Though cats will sit happily on a hard surface they will only knead a soft or pliant surface although some cats will reflexively march on hard surfaces instead of kneading them. When felines rub their faces against the furniture or go to town on a. They may do this while sitting on their owner s lap which may prove painful if the cat is large strong or has sharp claws as the claws tend to dig into one s lap. Another theory is that cats knead to mark their territory.