Is My Cat Hungry? It’s Always Making Biscuits; what Does it Mean?
Your cat is making biscuits! It’s weird, right? Well, if the meaning of this sentence were actually real, you would have a collection of biscuits at your kitchen counter whenever you crave some. However, this isn’t the true story. This is just a broad interpretation of a unique habit that looks similar to kneading the dough for biscuits.
But is this a sign of your cat being hungry? Or is it angry? Let us decode everything you need to learn about why your cat is always making biscuits!
What is making biscuits? Why does my cat do that?
Kneading or making biscuits is when the cat alternates the use of its paws while working in a rhythmic fashion. They usually do this on a squishy and soft surface. Cats tend to knead on soft beds, blankets, or even on their human partners.
To your eyes, it might look like the cat is actually kneading dough in order to make some delicious cookies or bread. However, keep in mind that this habit by your kitty isn’t just for time pass or fun. While there isn’t a definite answer to why cats tend to knead, several theories might give a vivid insight into what this “biscuit making” process is.
Here are 5 possible reasons that could justify your cat making biscuits:
1-Instinctual Behavior from Childhood:
Normally, kittens tend to knead the mother’s tummy whenever they feel hungry or are searching for their teats to drink milk. Therefore, a kitten that is nursing would instinctively knead the mother’s abdomen in order to stimulate milk production.
The kitten uses this motion to satisfy their needs. This habit is mostly associated with it being an instinctively good thing that passes on to the adult life stage. This biscuit-making act could just be your cat’s habit from childhood that hasn’t gone away.
2-Way to Show They Care:
Often when kittens or cats knead, this is their way to show their content and happiness. This could be noticed after you give your cat an amazing petting or massaging session. They would start kneading on your lap after a satisfactory session that helps them relax. This is their way to pet your back.
However, you might have to watch out for this petting back as it could be painful for you. Also, while they knead on you, the sharp nails might dig into your lap. You might feel like scolding the cat for this act, but make sure you don’t simply gently lift away the paws to ensure they don’t hurt you. This is because the cat thinks they are pleasuring you the way you are. So, make sure you try not to scold them when they try to comfort you.
You can avoid this from happening by opting for routine nail trimming or nail guards.
3-Cozying up Their Resting Place:
When cats used to live in the wild, they kneaded the tall grasses in order to make space cozy to rest and sleep. Most of the wildcats tend to bring this ancestral trait to the modern-day setup. Therefore, even if you have provided your cat with the most comfortable bedding set up, they will suffice to their habits and knead their bed before sleeping.
4-In Order to Mark the Territory:
Another reason for your cat to knead is when they want to mark their territory. This is especially possible if there is a new cat in your area or if they smell some strange animal in your house. It could also be especially relevant if they are planning to mate.
Cat’s paws tend to have several scent glands known to secrete a unique scent or pheromone. This isn’t something you might be able to smell. However, other cats in the area can surely smell it. Kneading a comfy space or even a person is surely a discreet manner in which the cat is letting other cats know about their presence.
If you want to redirect this particular behavior, you can do so by providing them with an appropriate post to scratch. Also, make sure you reward them whenever they tend to use it. This will help them understand that this post can be used for kneading purposes.
5-Feeling Needy:
If yours is a very needy cat, you might see them kneading way too often. This is their way to solicit your attention. This is especially true if this particular behavior of yours led to them getting the required attention back sometime.
In case the cat purrs when they knead your thighs, it is their way to show that they need something from you while being persuasive. In most cases, this could be a call for food. However, if they have recently had their food, it is better not to attend to this call.
You can also train and correct your cat’s behavior by rewarding them whenever they don’t dig their claws on you.
6-Pent-Up Energy:
Although cats are known to be sleepy heads, they also need a certain degree of daily exercise to ensure that they don’t have any pent-up energy left in their body. If they do not get enough exercise during the day, they might feel the need to knead in order to let go of their build-up energy.
If you do see this happening and the reason isn’t the same as the ones mentioned above, make sure you try to engage with your kitty or at least get them involved with other kittens to ensure that they do get some playtime or exercise.
Here is a quick guide that helps you understand your cat’s kneading behavior with accurate solutions:
Conclusion
Keep in mind that making biscuits or kneading is a normal activity for your feline friend. This is one among many ways for your cat to bond or celebrates its time with you. However, keep in mind that it could be a sign requiring your attention in cases such as a skipped meal. So, the next time your cat does this, ask yourself if you forgot to feed them!
Originally published at https://purrpetrators.com on June 5, 2021.
