Why your cat kneads: Love, comfort, or self-soothing?
When a cat climbs on a person and kneads with its paws, sometimes including its claws, it can cause discomfort. Animal behavior experts recommend not punishing pets for this behavior, as they have no ill intentions. What are they trying to communicate through this action?
Understanding cat communication can be challenging. It's no wonder—cats are highly independent animals and often convey messages that are not immediately apparent. What does it mean when a cat uses its paws to massage a human's body? Zuzanna Rajchert, a behaviorist, explained on the Silver TV channel how to interpret this behavior and why we should avoid punishing our pets.
What does cat kneading mean?
For many, a cat's kneading can feel like a pleasant massage. However, the experience can become slightly painful when a cat extends its claws. Although one might think the cat expresses frustration or discontent, it is trying to communicate something entirely different.
- Kittens knead their mother’s belly when they're nursing. This behavior (kneading - editor’s note) is associated with something very pleasant for cats. They feel safe, calm, and essentially very good. This behavior carries into adulthood. (...) A cat may also knead to improve its mood - explained the expert.
In this way, the cat is showing that it feels comfortable with us.
How to react to cat claws?
Even when a cat’s claws dig into our skin and cause pain, it’s important to remain calm. The animal behavior expert highlighted the importance of not reacting with anger in that moment.
She also mentioned that when a cat kneads us uncomfortably, we should view it as a compliment rather than get upset.
- Cats have scent glands between their pads and love to mark various places this way. They are saying "you are my human," so we should feel pleased and tolerate it even if it hurts - emphasized Rajchert.
The behaviorist advises regularly trimming your pet's claws or gently redirecting its kneading to something soft, like a blanket or pillow. Another good solution is to have a piece of fabric handy, which can be used to shield your legs or torso, allowing the cat to express affection while protecting your body from scratches.
Why do cats knead with their paws?
What other reasons are there for kneading with paws? Dr. Hannah Hart, a behaviorist, points out that if this behavior becomes frequent, it's important to remain attentive.
"The kneading action in cats releases pain-relieving, mood-enhancing dopamine in the brain. Therefore, increased or excessive kneading may indicate that your cat feels uncomfortable or anxious and is attempting to self-soothe," she noted in her article.
