6 Reasons Why Cats Lick Each Other

It’s one of the sweetest sights…one kitten leans into another and begins to lick its fur. As cute as we think this behavior is, there is actually practical logic behind it.

Many people think that cats who lick each other are showing their affection. While this is often true, there are many different reasons behind this conduct.

And fortunately, if you have only one cat, it is a behavior you can replicate.

By licking her kitten, the mother removes the blood (the scent of which could attract predators) from the newborn’s coat. In doing this, she also ensures that the young cat smells like its mother.

Mothers Care for Their Kittens

Cats groom their family not because they are related by blood but because they have a strong social relationship.

They’re Family

This is the same logic your kitty uses when she decides to give you a lick or two. She wants to bond with you by making you smell like her.

They Want to Bond

It’s a Display of Dominance

If you watch your cats when they lick each other, you’ll probably notice that there’s generally one cat who does most of the grooming. That is likely to be the dominant cat.

Cats often lick each other on the head and the ears. True, this is where these animals like to be petted, but it’s also an area they can’t reach with their own tongues.

Cats Need Help Grooming

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