Witnessing your feline companions engaging in a mutual grooming session can be both endearing and perplexing. The sight of cats meticulously licking each other often sparks curiosity about the underlying reasons for this behavior. Why do cats groom each other, and what does this ritualistic licking truly signify in the complex world of feline communication and relationships?
Cats are renowned for their fastidious nature, dedicating a significant portion of their day to self-grooming. Studies indicate that domestic cats spend a remarkable 30 to 50 percent of their waking hours maintaining their pristine coats. Their tongues, far from being mere sandpaper-like surfaces, are sophisticated grooming tools. Covered in tiny, backward-facing barbs called papillae, these structures act like miniature combs, effectively removing loose fur, distributing natural oils, and keeping their skin healthy.
However, when cats extend their grooming habits to their feline peers and even their human companions, the motivations become multifaceted. This social grooming behavior, scientifically termed allogrooming, serves a variety of purposes, ranging from strengthening social bonds to fulfilling ingrained survival instincts. Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating world of feline allogrooming and explore the key reasons behind this common cat behavior.
1. Allogrooming as a Sign of Affection and Bonding
One of the primary reasons cats lick each other is to express affection and reinforce social bonds. According to Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC) Steve Dale, a respected pet expert and author, allogrooming is a strong indicator of a positive relationship between cats. He emphasizes that this behavior is not indiscriminate; cats reserve allogrooming for “preferred individuals” with whom they share a special connection.
This bond is often observed among cats who are closely related, such as littermates or mothers and their kittens. Cats who have lived together for extended periods, typically years rather than months, can also develop this level of intimacy and express it through mutual grooming.
Pet training expert Andrea Arden further supports this notion, stating that mutual grooming signifies comfort and companionship. If cats choose to groom each other, it strongly suggests they enjoy each other’s presence and derive comfort from their interactions. The act of grooming becomes a shared language of affection and trust within the feline social dynamic.
2. Survival Instincts and Hygiene in Allogrooming
While affection plays a significant role, the roots of allogrooming can also be traced back to survival instincts, particularly in outdoor or feral cat colonies. In these environments, allogrooming serves a crucial hygienic function. It aids in the removal of parasites such as fleas, ticks, and other potentially harmful external parasites that can compromise a cat’s health and longevity.
This survival-driven aspect of allogrooming is less pronounced in indoor domestic cats, especially those who receive regular parasite prevention treatments. However, the ingrained instinct to maintain cleanliness and remove parasites may still contribute to allogrooming behavior even in pampered house cats.
As Steve Dale points out, for indoor cats, allogrooming is more likely driven by social factors and communication of mutual trust rather than a pressing need for parasite removal. It evolves from a survival mechanism to a social ritual in a safe domestic setting.
3. Reaching the Unreachable: Cooperative Cleaning
Cats are meticulous groomers, but certain areas of their bodies are simply beyond their reach. The top of the head, the neck, and the back are prime examples of spots that are difficult for a cat to groom independently. This is where allogrooming becomes a practical solution. By enlisting the help of a feline companion, cats can ensure these hard-to-reach areas are kept clean and well-maintained.
Furthermore, cats derive pleasure from being groomed in specific areas, particularly around the head, cheeks, and under the chin. These areas are rich in scent glands that release pheromones, chemical signals that play a vital role in feline communication. When cats groom each other’s heads and faces, they are not only cleaning but also exchanging and reinforcing their shared scent profile.
Andrea Arden explains that the concentration of scent glands in these areas is a key factor in why allogrooming is often focused on the head and facial regions. The exchange of pheromones through grooming strengthens the group bond and establishes a shared identity within the feline social unit.
4. Maternal Grooming: Nurturing and Teaching
Maternal allogrooming is an essential aspect of kitten care, commencing immediately after birth. A mother cat instinctively grooms her newborn kittens to stimulate vital bodily functions, such as elimination, and to keep them clean in their vulnerable early days.
As kittens develop and gain independence in their toileting habits, maternal grooming continues to play a crucial role in their upbringing. Beyond hygiene, it fosters bonding between mother and kittens, provides comfort and security, and serves as an early lesson in self-grooming techniques.
Andrea Arden highlights that maternal allogrooming is multifaceted, encompassing hygiene, bonding, comfort, and education. It is a foundational behavior that shapes a kitten’s physical and social development.
5. Changes in Grooming Habits as Potential Health Indicators
While allogrooming is a normal and beneficial behavior, alterations in a cat’s grooming habits, whether self-grooming or allogrooming, can sometimes signal underlying health issues. According to Dr. Louis DelGiudice, DVM, a veterinary specialist, excessive self-grooming in a cat may indicate skin irritation or itchiness. Common causes include parasitic infestations like fleas or allergic reactions to food or environmental allergens.
Cats are often highly attuned to the well-being of their feline housemates. If one cat experiences a change in health, other cats in the household may detect these subtle cues and modify their behavior accordingly. In some cases, a healthy cat may increase allogrooming of a sick or injured companion, potentially offering comfort or attempting to address perceived distress.
It’s important to note that, contrary to popular myth, cat saliva does not possess healing properties. In fact, a cat’s mouth, like any mouth, harbors bacteria that could potentially cause infection. Furthermore, the barbed papillae on a cat’s tongue can inadvertently reopen wounds. Therefore, it’s generally advisable to discourage cats from licking open wounds, whether on themselves or other animals.
Andrea Arden emphasizes the importance of observing your cats’ baseline behaviors to recognize any deviations. Changes in grooming patterns, either increased or decreased, can be valuable indicators of potential health problems that warrant veterinary attention.
6. Allogrooming as Redirected Aggression or Hierarchy Establishment
The dynamics of cat-to-cat relationships are intricate and nuanced. While cats are not typically considered dominant over humans in the same way dogs might be, hierarchical structures can exist within multi-cat households. In some situations, allogrooming can be a manifestation of these complex social dynamics.
While allogrooming is primarily a friendly behavior, in certain contexts, it can be used as a form of redirected aggression or to establish or maintain social hierarchy. In situations of tension or mild conflict, a cat higher in the hierarchy might groom a subordinate cat as a way to assert dominance or diffuse potential aggression.
Andrea Arden explains that in these instances, a cat might lick another cat lower in the hierarchy as a self-soothing mechanism or to redirect aggressive impulses. The act of grooming can serve as a displacement behavior, allowing the dominant cat to release tension without engaging in overt conflict. However, it’s crucial to remember that feline social dynamics are complex, and a single grooming interaction does not definitively define the hierarchical structure within a group of cats.
Understanding why cats lick each other provides valuable insight into their social behavior, communication methods, and the bonds they form with one another. By observing these interactions and considering the context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich and intricate social lives of our feline companions.
