Knead Biscuits? Blue’s Surprising Sign of Comfort

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

Cats are notorious for their eccentric behaviors, and one of the more common is kneading—rhythmically stamping their paws into a soft surface, claws protracting and retracting with every motion, all while blissfully purring. This muscle memory action stems from kittenhood when youngins knead their mothers to help stimulate milk production and flow, and it is often carried well into adulthood. Despite it being a habitual movement for most cats, Blue rarely kneaded and found other ways of being affectionate. At least as my memory serves. Independent yet cordial, Blue preferred exploring her new world rather than cooking up a storm on our bed or bellies. Was she fond of cuddling? Absolutely. Did she offer kitty massages? Almost never.

Blue’s Early Temperament

When we first brought Blue home, we anticipated she would be reserved. We had a beloved Velcro dog who was probably more excited about our new addition than we were. Luckily, she had experienced plenty of socialization before her arrival, so adapting to her fresh environment seemed pretty simple. Kittens I’ve had in the past tended to hide, sleep a lot, and generally take their time settling in. Not Blue. We brought her home during the Christmas season – festive decor in full force. Her favorite spot was under the Christmas tree, which looked giant compared to her tiny frame. The twinkling lights gave her a cherub glow. With winter in full swing, our home was littered with blankets and cozy nooks, the perfect recipe for any cat with a knack for kneading. Blue wasn’t interested. I assumed it was just a trait she didn’t have—perhaps because she hadn’t learned it as a kitten or simply didn’t feel the need.

Secret Kneader

Then, one afternoon, while I was sitting at my desk, eyes locked on the monitors ahead, I could hear Blue purring behind me, which is nothing new or out of the ordinary. The beds here are her sanctuaries. What was different was the movement. I could hear her nestling around. A quick glance over the shoulder confirmed it. Baby Mama was kneading. Since this was such a rare occurrence, it had been literal years, I did what any pet parent would do at this moment: recorded for a good three minutes, if not more, in stealth mode to not burst whatever bubble of joy she was living in.

Exploring the Reasons

Since the why was clear, the question of how often she kneads lingers in my brain. Does she do this often? What sparked her desire to hunker in and release her inner kitten? One possibility could be that her age or health might have played a role. Cats’ behaviors will inevitably evolve as they grow older. Perhaps Blue had simply become relaxed and was enjoying the nostalgic sensation.

The mystery of Blue’s kneading may never be explained, nor does it need to be, but it shows us how even the most predictable creatures can surprise us with the smallest gestures. To me, Blue kneading was a small but significant sign that she felt safe, loved, and content in her world at that very moment.