Kneading, the motion cats make by pushing in and out with their paws, is sometimes referred to as "making biscuits," as it resembles a baker handling dough. It is almost always done on a soft surface like a pillow, another cat, or even your lap. Often, kneading is accompanied by purring, and some cats go into an almost trance-like state as they knead with a steady, rhythmic motion. Explanations for this behavior vary, but it is without doubt an instinctive trait.