Why do kittens knead ("make biscuits")? And do they ever grow out of it?

Question

Mine does it every day on the top of the couch and sometimes on my stomach before she falls asleep. We have another kitten and he's never done it. But the one who does it didn't do it until she was about 3 months old. Where did she learn it? Or is it instinctual?

Answer 1

they used to knead when they were getting milk. when cats do it it means they are happy and thinking back to when they had there momma

Answer 2

It is automatic response to feeling pure contentment stemming from nursing.  They continue to do that for their entire life. If your cat does that it is a really good thing means they are happy, safe, and loved.

Answer 3

Kneading usually starts when cats are kittens because that's when they nurse from their mother. It is instinctive, though, so they don't 'learn' it and not all cats continue to do it or even do it at all.

Kneading helps the milk flow when a kitten is nursing from its mother. Kittens don't realize this, though, so they just knead when they're happy and content, which, when they're kittens, nursing brings them.

Cats that continue to knead into adulthood often knead their owners as a sign of affection. My cat used to knead a blanket that I used all the time: I assume because it smelled like me! He even sometimes grabbed a little bit in his mouth, kind of as a makeshift 'nipple' while he kneaded it. Cute!

Anyway, good luck with your cats!

Answer 4

I have a tortie and she's 10. She still kneads me! She likes to 'headbutt' too, I don't know why, but I think its cute.

Answer 5

if you find out pass it along.  My cat is 8 and still does it.  I wake up in the middle of the night with a cat on my chest kneading me.  Not fun

Answer 6

They get it from when they nurse on their mother. If the kitten still nurses, watch the kitten next time. The kitten kneads as it nurses, it's very common in cats. I've grown up with cats my WHOLE life and we always have litters of kittens. Cats knead when their happy, comfortable and content, similar feeling to when they nurse :)

Answer 7

This behavior is called "milk-treading." When you relax and sit quietly, you're giving your cat the same signal he got from his mother when he was a kitten - that his mother was ready to let him suckle.  A nursing kitten instinctively uses his paws to draw out the milk, gently pushing on his mother's stomach to increase the milk flow.  When older cats behave this way, it's a good sign that they're happy, content, and probably recalling their kitten hood.