Have you noticed your cats licking each other’s fur while they are cuddling? It’s cute, but is it normal? It is, in fact, normal for cats to groom one another. It’s even got a name, allogrooming. Cats often do it to keep clean, grow their bond, or show affection.

Key Takeaways

• It’s normal for cats to groom each other.
• Grooming is a way for cats to show affection, keep each other clean, relieve stress, and build trust.
• Not all cats groom each other, and that’s normal, too.

Why Cats Groom Each Other

It is totally normal for cats to groom each other. It’s actually a sign of a positive relationship between them. It's an instinct that begins as a kitten. Adult cats continue to lick other feline friends as well. If you see your cats grooming each other, it is a good sign that they feel safe and content with each other. Think about how content your cat is when you are petting them with the Pawer Cat SPA glove. Let's take a look at some of the most common reasons cats groom one another.

They are showing affection.

Each other to show affection. Most of the time it is a gesture that demonstrates their friendship with one another. It's also a way that they so companionship and affection in general.

Keeping each other clean.

Cats spend 30 to 50% of their daytime hours grooming themselves. But why would cats groom one another? They might just be helping each other out when it comes to hard-to-reach spots. After all, what are friends for?

They are building relationships and trust.

It may sound a little bit strange, but cats share their scents to build trust. Think of it like mixing your favorite perfume with your BFF's perfume to create a scent that is unique to both of you. When cats are bonding closely, grooming each other strengthens their connection and helps them feel secure. It's kind of like giving each other a hug.

They may be relieving stress.

Sometimes cats use grooming for self-soothing. This can also be why they groom their feline friends. The action of licking a close friend's fur releases endorphins. These are mood-boosting hormones. So, licking another cat may help relieve stress. You can also help cats relax.

They are establishing a social hierarchy.

Most experts suggest that the higher-ranking cat will groom lower-ranking cats. This is one way to show pecking order among cats. A more dominant cat may groom fewer dominant cats as a way to reinforce social hierarchies.

Do All Cats Groom One Another?

Not all cats groom each other. Like you humans, cats can have different love languages. The personality of a cat and their experiences as kittens play a huge role. Some cats are simply not as affectionate as others. The lack of grooming each other isn’t necessarily bad. Cats have other ways to show their love for each other and to bond with one another. They may sleep near each other, play together, or wrap their tails around each other. Some cats may not groom each other because they do not get along.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.