Why do cats 'stomp on you with their paws'?

Many people who have kept cats have had the experience of a cat jumping on them and stepping on their body with its paws. Julia Albright, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, explains this strange cat habit of 'stepping on your body with your paws.'

Why do cats knead with their paws?
https://theconversation.com/why-do-cats-knead-with-their-paws-156254

In English-speaking countries, cats' stomping is called 'making biscuits' because of the similarity of the gesture, but academically it is simply called ' kneading '. Kneading is thought to be a sign that a cat is relaxed, and when kneading, not only can you hear the 'purring' sound, which is also a sign of relaxation, but sometimes you can even hear drooling.

Kneading is also a behavior that newborn kittens do. Even before they open their eyes, kittens knead their mother's abdomen to show that they are hungry and want to drink milk.

Two kittens nursing and kneading - YouTube


At the same time as kneading, they usually make a purring sound in their throat. This purring is made by vibrating the throat muscles at high speed, and it is thought that kittens do this to attract the attention of their mothers.

What does it mean when a cat purrs? - GIGAZINE

Kittens finish nursing at about two months, but continue to knead after that. As for the reason for this, Associate Professor Albright commented that he supports the theory that 'just as kittens suck milk and sleep, they feel calm and satisfied and are trying to relax.' Another theory is that 'cats have pheromone-secreting organs called scent glands between their fingers, and these scent glands are used to add their own scent to their sleeping area.'

In addition, Associate Professor Albright described kneading as 'a form of communication between cats and humans.' He pointed out that while dogs, which have coexisted with humans for thousands of years, have a rich and easy-to-understand way of expressing their emotions, cats have few ways of saying 'I like you.' He also commented, 'Kneading is usually an act that you do near someone you like. It's important to notice the small moments when your cat is happy to be near you.'