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Why do cats knead with their paws?

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A Maine Coon longhair cat with cream and white fur sits beside a tabby shorthair cat in a garden with green foliage in the background. — cat Two kinds of domestic cats.

Kneading, often referred to as "making biscuits," is a common behavior in cats that serves several purposes rooted in their development and instincts.1

Scent Marking: Kneading acts as a form of scent marking. Cats possess scent glands on the underside of their paw pads, and the rhythmic motion allows them to leave their personal scent on the surface they are kneading.1
Developmental Origins: Kittens knead their mothers to help stimulate milk production during nursing.1
Self-Soothing and Affection: As adult cats, this behavior is often retained as a way to self-soothe or as a clear sign of affection toward their human companions.1

While cats also use the scent glands in their paws to mark territory through scratching, kneading is distinct in its role as a comforting, social, and communicative gesture.12