Many pet owners have seen their cats knead blankets or soft surfaces before settling in for a nap. This rhythmic motion with their paws is commonly referred to as “making biscuits.” But do dogs engage in this same behavior? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.
What is biscuit making in cats?
Biscuit making or kneading is an instinctive behavior in cats where they press their paws in and out against a soft surface, alternating between left and right paws. It often looks like they are kneading dough or making biscuits.
This kneading motion usually starts with kittens nursing from their mother. Kittens knead the mother’s belly to stimulate milk production while nursing. The motion becomes an instinctive comforting habit that many adult cats continue even when there’s no milk reward.
Many theories exist for why adult cats continue biscuit making:
- It may recreate the comforts of nursing and their mother in early life.
- The motion releases endorphins that relax and de-stress cats.
- Kneading helps cats mark an area with scent glands in their paws and make it feel like their own space.
- It signals contentment and that they are ready to settle in comfortably.
In summary, biscuit making is an instinctive behavior from kittenhood that continues into adulthood as a self-soothing and comforting ritual for cats.
Do dogs demonstrate biscuit making?
Dogs do not have an instinct for biscuit making or kneading behavior like cats do. However, some individual dogs may pick up a kneading habit.
Reasons a dog may knead include:
- Mimicking a feline companion
- A learned behavior from puppyhood
- A self-soothing habit
- Signaling contentment
- Anxious energy
While some dogs may display a kneading motion on occasion, it is not a common inherent behavior in dogs like it is for cats. There are a few key differences:
| Cat Biscuit Making | Dog Kneading |
|---|---|
| Instinctive Territorial Marking | Learned/Mimicking Behavior |
| Uses scent glands in paws | No scent marking |
| Rhythmic Alternating Paws | May use 1 paw or lack rhythm |
| Associated with Nursing | No nursing association |
| Signals Comfort/Contentment | May signal anxiety |
While some individual dogs may pick up a kneading behavior, it lacks the innate territorial and nursing origin that drive the instinct in cats.
Why do cats knead but most dogs do not?
The differences in biscuit making tendencies come down to the behavioral history of dogs versus cats.
Cats are more solitary and territorial. Kittens needed to signal their mother to start nursing through kneading. Adult cats continue kneading to mark territory and self-soothe.
Dogs, however, are pack animals. Puppies nurse whenever they need. Adult dogs have less need to self-soothe or mark territory in the same way as solitary cats. Additionally, dogs did not evolve the scent glands in their paws that cats use to mark their kneaded area.
Through domestication, dogs and cats have both become more social compared to their wild ancestors. But those wild histories still drive many innate behaviors we see today.
When is kneading problematic in dogs?
While most biscuit making in dogs is harmless, compulsive or excessive kneading may signal an anxiety disorder or other issues. Signs to watch out for include:
- Excessive force and duration
- Causing injuries to paws or legs
- Occurring along with crying, panting, shaking, or pacing
- Happening when dog is alone
- Disrupting normal behavior and life
If you notice these signs of distress or obsession, check with your veterinarian. Excessive kneading may require behavior modification training and treatment to address any underlying anxiety or compulsion issues.
Should I encourage the behavior in my dog?
In general, light kneading that signals your dog is content is nothing to worry about. But actively encouraging biscuit making may not be advisable either.
Kneading could become an obsessive or anxious habit over time, especially if urged to continue when not initiated by the dog naturally. It is better to let it happen sparingly of your dog’s own accord and not reinforce it too strongly as a learned behavior.
You can safely ignore occasional kneading when your dog seems calm and happy. But avoid praising or rewarding the behavior excessively, which risks making it compulsive. Pay most attention instead to healthy dog behaviors you do wish to actively reinforce.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points to remember:
- Kneading is an innate instinct in cats but not in dogs.
- Some individual dogs may pick up a kneading habit by mimicking cats or as a self-soothing behavior.
- Excessive, obsessive kneading could signal anxiety or compulsion issues in dogs.
- Kneading in dogs lacks the territorial marking significance that biscuit making has in cats.
- Light, occasional kneading is usually harmless but should not be overly reinforced either.
The Bottom Line
While biscuit making is a common cat behavior, most dogs do not share this instinct. Some dogs may mimic the action, but compulsive kneading could be problematic. Light occasional kneading when a dog is calm and content is usually nothing to worry about. But biscuit making is not an inherent behavior in dogs like it is for cats. With the right context, cats and dogs can both enjoy kneading their paws now and then.