Tag: kneading

Behavior

How Do Cats Show Love?

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Ginger cat bunting tan dog
Photo by Snapwire on Pexels

Some people say that cats do not care about their humans, or that cats are cold and heartless. Both of these ideas are totally wrong and usually based on an assumption that cats should communicate with us the way dogs do (2, 3). But of course, they are not dogs, and cats show love in their own ways. Every cat has their personality and will communicate a little differently. That being said, here are some of the love letters your cat may be sending you.

Slow Blinks

One of the most important ways cats show love is with the slow blink, sometimes called the “cat kiss” or the “cat I love you” (1-5). This is when a cat looks at someone with half-lidded eyes and leisurely blinks at them (1, 2, 4, 5). The gesture conveys comfort, trust, and affection (1-5). That is because to cats, who are both predatory and prey animals, keeping their senses alert is imperative to staying alive in the wild (2). Therefore, slowly closing the eyes to another creature, a potential aggressor, is a signal of willing vulnerability (2). It says, “You make me feel safe.”

This is a form of cat communication that you can easily reciprocate. Soften your gaze, half-close your eyes, and slowly blink at your cat. Make sure not to stare–sleepy eyes only. Cats will sometimes return your slow blink.

Bunting

Also known as head butting or head bonking, bunting is when cats push the tops of their heads against that of a friend, be that friend cat, human, dog, or anything else (2-5). Cats have scent glands in their foreheads (2, 4). When your cat bunts you, they are mixing their scent with yours (2, 3, 4). This is a common social interaction among cats (2, 3). Cats build relationships by commingling scents, so this is a way they display affection (2-5).

Friendly Tail

Cats communicate a lot with their tails. A cat who is happy to see you will have their tail held high with a slight curve at the tip (1-3, 5). Flicking just the tip of the tail is a quick, friendly greeting (3, 5). This is a likely result of domestic cats’ ancestors living in dry grassland habitats where a tail held high to say hello would be visible above the tall grass (2).

Grooming

Two cats grooming
Photo by Ayelt van Veen on Unsplash

Another way cats show their love is through allogrooming, or grooming one another. Cats that have a bond use allogrooming to create a community scent and to relieve stress (3, 4). Your cat may groom you for the same reasons (3, 4). That sandpaper tongue may feel strange, but just remember that it’s a sign your cat cares about you.

Cheek Rubbing

You have probably seen your cat rub their cheeks against all manner of things in your home, including you. This is a scent-marking behavior, as another place cats have scent glands is in their cheeks (2, 3). Cheek rubbing declares ownership (2, 3, 4). Unlike more aggressive territorial behaviors, however, the cheek rub is a confident, friendly form of scent-marking that invites socialization (2, 3, 4).

Kneading

Kneading involves the rhythmic flexing and relaxing of a cat’s paws. Kittens knead against their mothers to stimulate the flow of milk. Adult cats often exhibit this behavior as well when they feel very content (1, 3). If a cat is making biscuits on your lap, you know they feel comfortable around you (1, 3).

Talking

Cats can make up to 100 different sounds, and they use some of them exclusively to communicate with humans (2). Chirps, trills, and meows are common sounds cats use to talk to their people (2, 3, 4). Some cats are more talkative than others, but almost all appreciate being spoken to (5). It makes them feel included (5). Another kind of kitty talk is purring. Cats purr for a variety of reasons, but one of them is to express security and contentment (1-5).

Vulnerability

Tabby cat rolling over on its back
Image by mrs. pandora from Pixabay

When cats completely trust those around them, they are willing to exhibit vulnerable body language (2, 3, 5). Like the slow blink, these postures would put a cat at risk in the presence of predators or assailants. A cat that is stretched out is leaving themself exposed, thus showing that they trust you (3). An even greater display of trust is for a cat to roll over on their back and show their belly (2, 3, 5). Don’t take it as an invitation to a tummy rub–that’s a bridge too far for most cats (2). But it does mean that your cat feels very safe with you.

Works Cited

  1. Bowman Road Animal Clinic. (n.d.). Does my cat like me? 6 ways cats show affection. https://bowmanroadvet.com/2017/02/6-ways-cats-show-affection/
  2. Galaxy, J. & Delgado, M. M. (2017). Total cat mojo: The ultimate guide to life with your cat. Penguin Random House: New York.
  3. Johnson-Bennett, P. (n.d.). How cats show affection. Cat Behavior Associates. https://catbehaviorassociates.com/how-cats-show-affection/
  4. Krieger, M. (2020, January 1). How do cats show affection? Look for these 7 affection signs. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-do-cats-show-affection-cat-affection-signs
  5. Moore, A. (2001). The kitten owner’s manual. Storey Publishing: North Adams, MA.

Published March 13, 2022

Behavior

Why do cats knead?

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

This behavior goes by many names: kneading, making biscuits, making cookies, paddling, or smurgling. Most people know what kneading is, but allow me to overexplain so we’re all on the same page. Kneading is when a cat snuggles up on or next to a beloved human (or object, or other animal) and begins massaging the target of their affection with alternating forepaws. They may also begin to purr, salivate, or suckle on fabric or other available material, depending on the cat. That suckling habit is sometimes called wool-chewing or wool-sucking. Some people find kneading to be super cute while others find it annoying. It can certainly be unpleasant if your cat decides to make biscuits on your bare legs. But whatever your opinions on being kneaded, you’ve probably wondered, “why does my cat do this?”

Ginger and white kitten suckling
Image by Antonios Ntoumas from Pixabay

As is so often the case with feline behavior, the reason for kneading is not known for certain. The most well-known theory is that it is a carry-over from kittenhood. Kittens begin to knead almost immediately. They place their paws on their mother’s abdomen as they suckle and knead her to stimulate the flow of milk. Kneading is believed to release endorphins to encourage bonding between kittens and mother. That neurological process, as well as the comforting memories, remain into adulthood. Cats may knead their favorite human in a similar bonding process, a show of affection and contentment. They may also knead to soothe themselves if they feel anxious, trying to take themselves back to a happier state of mind.

Taking our cats even further back in time, we can find a reason for kneading in the evolution of their wild ancestors. Domestic cats will often knead beds, blankets, pillows, etc. before settling down on them to sleep. It’s thought that ancestral wild cats kneaded down grass or other vegetation in the same manner to make a soft place to sleep or give birth. In the arid environments where they lived, soft sleeping spots could be scarce unless you made one yourself.

Another possibility is that kneading, at least in adult cats, has to do with those special little kitty paws. There are scent glands on cats’ paws, so whenever they knead something, they mark it with their scent. Maybe your cat just wants everyone to know that this blanket is theirs, and that pillow, and their bed, and your bed…

There may not be only one reason why cats knead. They are complex and mysterious creatures, after all. What does seem clear is that when a cat kneads their owner, it can be taken as a compliment. It’s also certain that kneading is a hard-wired and instinctive behavior. If you don’t like being kneaded, you cannot stop your cat from kneading entirely, but you may be able to stop them from kneading you, or at least make the process easier on yourself.

Cat behaviourist Jackson Galaxy explains smurgling

If your cat kneads with their claws out, there are two simple solutions. One is to keep their claws trimmed, which will protect both you and anything else they knead. Or, put a blanket or towel over your lap whenever they want to snuggle so they don’t sink their claws into you. If you just do not want them kneading you at all, you can try distracting them by petting them or giving them a toy. You can gently pick them up and move them whenever they start to knead on you. Picking a designated blanket, pillow, or cat bed to move them to can teach them to make their biscuits there. The most important thing is to NOT PUNISH a cat for kneading. They will not understand.

I often feel that I don’t deserve the little goddess that is my cat. But when she cuddles up to me and starts purring and paddling those paws, I know that she loves me despite the fact that I am a mere human bumbling about in her apartment. Maybe she does value me for something other than slinging food in her bowl.

Published January 23, 2020

Updated June 1, 2021