Why do cats lick each other?

A person who has several cats at once will confirm that he has noticed their love for licking each other more than once. Such moments look very cute and make you smile. But have you ever wondered why do cats lick other cats? Let’s figure it out.

It would seem that everything is simple – our human intuition suggests that this is a manifestation of love. But in fact, it turns out that everything is more complicated. Moreover, it is so difficult that scientists carefully study this phenomenon not only among domestic cats, but also in lions, primates and many other species of mammals.

Social connections

In 2016, for example, it was officially stated by the scientific community that licking each other is one of the three main ways that cats in packs show cohesion.

So, when a cat licks another cat, it means that social bonds have formed between them. The guests of another pack, unfamiliar to them, for example, are unlikely to receive such tenderness. And this is quite logical.

photo: catster.com

The more familiar the cats are and the closer they are, the more likely they are to lick each other. A mother cat will happily continue to wash her already adult kittens, as there is a special bond between them.

Help with hair care

Moreover, cats often “ask” their neighbors to help them with grooming. Usually these are parts of the body that are difficult for them to reach.

Have you noticed that people mostly stroke and scratch cats on the head or in the neck area? These are the places that cats most often help each other lick. That is why, if a person begins to stroke other parts of the body to his pet, this often causes discontent and aggression. This conclusion was also reached by scientists dealing with this issue.

Maintaining high status

Another finding is that higher status cats in a pack are more likely to lick less respected cats, rather than vice versa. The hypothesis is that it is possible that dominant individuals thus consolidate their position, which is a safer method compared to a fight.

photo: catster.com

Maternal instinct

And, of course, we must not forget about the maternal instinct. Licking a newborn kitten is a task of paramount importance for a mother cat, because its smell can attract predators. 

photo: catster.com

This behavior is a symbol of both love and protection. Kittens learn this skill from their mother, and already at the age of 4 weeks, the babies begin to lick themselves, this procedure will take about 50% of the time in the future.

Translated for WikiPet.ruYou might also be interested in: Why Do Dogs Sing to Music?«