Why do cats groom each other?

Cats have odd and sometimes turbulent relationships with each other. Some are inseparable besties, others will ignore each other for years.

But even the most introverted cats end up grooming each other, which may strike you as odd. It's a pretty significant action in feline life, and there are numerous reasons behind grooming.

Mutual grooming is known as "allogrooming", and it's a social habit cats pick up due to its emotional, practical and social importance.

Here, we discuss why cats groom each other, what it can mean, when it can indicate a problem and help you understand your kitty's behaviour.

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Why cats groom each other

Allogrooming, or cats grooming each other, is a social habit that deepens bonds between cats. The motivations behind this include:

• Affection

• Establishing a "group scent"

• Introducing a social hierarchy

• Maintaining group hygiene

• Preventing aggression

• Reducing stress

• Removing parasites (more for wild, outdoor cats)

• Social bonding

The behaviour comes from when a mother grooms her kittens. This creates lifelong associations between grooming and feelings like comfort, hygiene habits and safety. Cats bring these associations to adulthood and allogrooming replicates this behaviour in social settings.

There are more than just emotional and social elements, though. It's also just practical, particularly when cats associate with a group. Sometimes, it's just cats helping each other stay clean and remove debris and parasites.

Mutual grooming: a sign of social bonding?

Yes, mutual grooming is a sign that the cats have bonded socially or at least formed a group. It's a big sign they affection for each other.

Grooming helps transfer scent, which creates a "group scent" among cats. Since cats rely on scent more than vision, this reinforces a group identity and helps cats feel like they belong.

Grooming as communication

Allogrooming is a sophisticated form of non-verbal communication - it can signal a few things from comfort and reassurance to conflict de-escalation and asserting social standing.

Allogrooming can subtly enforce a social hierarchy between cats, where the "higher-ranking" cat initiates grooming or receives grooming from a "lower-ranking" cat. It's not necessarily aggressive dominance; it's more of a reminder to maintain group harmony.

In rare instances, particularly near episodes of aggression, cats will start grooming each other to de-escalate potential conflict.

Stress relief and emotional comfort

At other times, allogrooming is a form of self-soothing. It may sound odd that grooming another cat can lead to stress relief, but it does help cats lower anxiety and stress. The building of emotional bonds between cats can create a sense of calm and security, which chills cats out.

However, it's also why sudden allogrooming or excessive self-grooming can indicate a health problem - a change in grooming habits can be an early symptom of a physical or mental health problem.

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How to interpret your cat's grooming behaviour

Now, it's hard to find a definitive reason for a cat's grooming behaviour. But by looking at the big picture, you can help figure our your cat's grooming motivations.

You need to take time to look at your cat's grooming interactions. Look at things like:

Body language

What do your cat's ears, posture and tail tell you? Are they relaxed or tense? How are they acting after the interaction? This can hint at your cat's mental health and stress levels.

Duration and intensity

Does allogrooming last a long time or is it intense? How often does it happen? Sudden, intense allogrooming can mean one or both cats are feeling stressed.

Initiator v receiver

Which cat starts the grooming? Who grooms more? This can help you work out the social hierarchy between cats.

After that, you can likely figure out the possible reasons for your cat's grooming, like maintaining social hierarchy or for stress relief.

Why do cats bite each other when grooming?

So, if it's mostly all positive things, when do cats bite each other when grooming? Occasional nips are normal. It's rarely aggression. Usually, it's:

Learned behaviour

Mother cats give gentle nips to their kittens when teaching them boundaries and grooming etiquette.

Overstimulation

Too much grooming can overstimulate a cat, and they'll nip to stop it.

Playfulness

This is common in younger cats and it's a part of their playing.

Removing stuck debris

Sometimes, a cat will nip to remove stuck debris.

But do watch out for escalating aggression. There's a difference between a playful nip and a bite, and you should notice aggressive behaviour alongside grooming bites or nips like flattened ears, hissing, growling and swatting.

When grooming might be a sign of a problem

Signs that allogrooming may be a sign of a deeper problem include:

Abnormal, sudden grooming

Suddenly grooming or excessively licking can mean your cat is struggling with something new.

Aggression

Grooming or allogrooming followed by aggression likely means your cat is in pain or is irritated.

Behaviour problems

Strange grooming patterns combined with symptoms of anxiety or stress.

Overgrooming

Allogrooming or grooming too much, leading to coat and skin problems.

Medical symptoms

Symptoms related to pain, parasites or skin conditions.

Signs of discomfort

Symptoms like excessive licking, tensing or running away.

Undergrooming

Neglect of grooming or allogrooming, leading to skin issues or distress in the other cat.

Our guide on cat grooming discusses more, and we've also shared why shaving your cat due to grooming problems is probably not a good idea.

When to seek veterinary advice

You should see a vet if you're concerned or if you noticed any of these signs:

• Bald patches.

• Hair loss.

• Irritability or discomfort when scratching.

• Other signs of illness (appetite changes, lethargy, vomiting, etc.)

• Skin lesions.

• Sudden change in grooming habits.

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