Cat owners know the painful experience of a cat kneading your lap. Feel flattered. Kneading is a sign of affection and is often accompanied with lots of purring. As a kitten, your cat kneaded her mother to stimulate milk and now she extends this feeling of nurturing to you. The more enthusiastic she is, the harder your cat will knead and the deeper she will dig in her nails. Cats also have scent glands in their paws and by kneading you, your cat is marking you as a part of her territory. Consider putting a blanket or pillow on your lap so your cat’s kneading isn’t painful to you. If you need to end the kneading, do so gently and never punish your cat for showing you love and kneading your lap. Trim your cat’s nails frequently to reduce the pain of kneading. Contact your Racine, WI vet to learn more.