When do cats lick each other? - briefly
Cats often lick each other as a form of social bonding and grooming. This behavior is common among littermates or cats that share a close relationship.
When do cats lick each other? - in detail
Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits, and licking is an essential part of their self-care routine. However, they also engage in allogrooming, which involves licking one another. This behavior can be observed under several circumstances:
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Social Bonding: Allogrooming is a crucial aspect of feline social behavior. It helps to strengthen the bond between cats, particularly among littermates or close companions. By grooming each other, cats reinforce their social connections and maintain group cohesion. This activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators, contributing to a sense of well-being and contentment within the feline community.
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Hygiene: Cats lick each other to help keep one another clean. This is especially important in multi-cat households where cats may not always be able to reach all parts of their own bodies during self-grooming. By grooming each other, they can remove dirt, debris, and loose fur from areas that are difficult for an individual cat to clean alone.
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Comfort and Reassurance: Licking can also serve as a form of comfort and reassurance among cats. For example, a mother cat will lick her kittens not only to clean them but also to stimulate their elimination processes and provide a sense of security and warmth. This behavior is often extended to adult cats in stressful situations or when they need emotional support from their feline companions.
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Dominance Display: In some cases, allogrooming can be used as a form of dominance display. A dominant cat may lick a subordinate cat to assert its authority and reinforce the hierarchy within the group. However, this is not always the case, as many instances of allogrooming are mutually beneficial and not driven by dominance dynamics.
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Mutual Grooming: Cats often engage in mutual grooming sessions where they take turns licking each other. This behavior is a sign of trust and friendship between cats, indicating that they feel comfortable and safe in each other's presence. Mutual grooming can last for extended periods, demonstrating the deep bond between the feline companions.
In summary, cats lick each other for a variety of reasons, including social bonding, hygiene, comfort, reassurance, and dominance display. This behavior is an integral part of their social dynamics and contributes to the overall well-being and harmony within feline communities.