Every day, Max Branch’s seven cats transform his Brooklyn, New York, home into a little haven for kneading, diligently working on their ‘biscuit-making’ skills.

Cat enthusiasts and owners sharing their experiences on Instagram and TikTok have long admired the masterful dough-kneading habits of cats, especially their tendency to press their paws onto cozy surfaces, mimicking the action of kneading dough. According to Wailani Sung, a cat behaviorist and contributor to the Netflix documentary Inside the Mind of a Cat, this behavior starts in kittens while they nurse from their mothers. However, many cats carry on kneading blankets and pillows throughout their lives, much to the delight of their owners.

“In some ways, pets are like little aliens in our homes,” Branch, whose cats are all foster rescues, shared. “Their odd behaviors often end up being charming.”

Experts suggest that people are genuinely captivated by this feline behavior because it appears both adorable and earnest. On social media, clips of cats in baker hats kneading pillows have received thousands of likes.

Why do cats knead?

Kittens knead their mother’s milk-producing glands while suckling, a motion believed to stimulate milk flow, referred to as “milk let down,” according to Sung, who’s located in Walnut Creek, California. Adult cats replicate this action, appearing deeply focused as they alternate pressing their paws into soft surfaces, extending their toes and claws with each push.

Many cat owners affectionately describe this action as their furry friend “making biscuits,” Sung noted.

“The rhythmic movement of their paws is so distinct — honestly, if we put a small piece of dough under their paws, they could knead it,” she remarked.

Cat owners can encourage this kneading behavior by providing soft, plush blankets and cozy textures, Branch added.

“Anything that simulates a mother cat’s belly would work,” he suggested.

Kneading likely brings comfort to cats and signals happiness

Adult cats probably knead as a pleasant habit, which is also felt positively by their owners, Branch explained.

“We find it attractive because it’s something they usually do when they are very content or seeking comfort from us, which is a primary aspect of pet ownership,” he said.

Adult cats might knead on a pile of laundry when they’re anxious, attempting to soothe themselves. Others may only knead when they feel comfortable, signaling happiness, according to Sung.

“We believe this behavior serves as a comforting experience for adult cats,” Sung mentioned. “They reminisce about the time they kneaded their mothers and how good it felt.”

Kneading may also distribute their scent from the glands in their paws to their favorite places, Sung added.

Some cats clutch a corner of a blanket or pillow in their mouths while they knead, which further indicates the connection to their nursing behavior as kittens. Additionally, some cats, like Sung’s white and gray cat Olly, even drool when they knead.

“They appear joyful and relaxed,” Branch observed. “Their intense focus makes this behavior even cuter.”

Ouch! Cats sometimes knead their humans

Certain cats take their kneading to their favorite humans as well.

Sung’s Siamese cat, Jaz, has a habit of kneading on her throat while she sleeps, and Branch’s enthusiastic cat, named John Junior, enjoys kneading on people’s cheeks.

However, the intensity of this kneading indicates that your cat feels secure with you and considers you part of their family, Branch explained.

Just be sure to keep your cat’s nails trimmed to prevent scratches, Sung cautioned.

“They’re so passionate about it, like, ‘I have to make the biscuits! It’s a must!'” Sung laughed. “People find it amusing because it’s such a charming behavior, and their enthusiasm is hard to miss.”