Licking for hours is one of your cat's favorite activities. Being clean, spending the necessary time to remove any remaining dirt and any knots, is part of the daily routines of these adorable furry ones.
If you have several felines at home, you have surely noticed that they frequently lick each other, sometimes for long periods of time. Do they do it as a show of affection or as a shared grooming ritual? If you want to know why cats lick each other, don't miss this article on our site. Keep reading!
Why do cats lick themselves?
Before knowing why cats lick each other, it is necessary to clarify the reasons that lead these beautiful felines to lick themselves in the first place. Much of the time, cats lick each other as part of their grooming ritual, which is accompanied not only by licking, but also by some necessary nipping to remove knots and any residue adhering to the skin.
Cleaning the coat is usual at various times of the day, including just after eating as a way to remove any smell of food; they have inherited this behavior from their larger relatives. So if you're wondering why cats lick themselves after eating, here's the answer.
On the other hand, cats don't have sweat glands over most of their bodies like many animals; these are only located on the pads of their feet. This is why, when it's very hot, they need another method to regulate the temperature of their body, and the licking ritual serves them for this. How? The saliva they deposit on the mantle gradually evaporates, generating a sensation of freshness.
Also, licking is also a form of relaxation How? If your cat feels anxious, nervous or stressed for any reason, he will lick his fur to comfort himself, as this action relaxes him and allows him to return to his comfort zone. This licking is usually done on its sides, or by giving itself small touches on its snout with one of its legs. Now, if you notice that it becomes obsessive or too frequent, we recommend you review the causes of stress in cats to avoid them.
Now that you know what the main reasons are for cats to lick themselves, we'll tell you why they lick each other.
Cats lick each other for a friendly bond
Licking is not only functional, it's also demonstrates the level of trust that two cats feel when they are together. This is called social licking, and it's for a number of reasons. One of them is the bond of friendship between two or more felines.
If your cats do this, it means that they love each other very much and that they feel relaxed when they are together. In these cases, the licking is concentrated in the facial area and the ears, the favorite places of felines!
Licking between cats from the same family unit
Cats also lick each other to strengthen their bonds as part of the same family, of the same litter, even when not they are blood relatives. Licking not only serves as a sign of affection between those who are part of the feline family, but also allows them to create a common aroma that identifies them among themselves and distinguishes them from potential intruders.
Surely you are wondering what happens if your cat usually licks you, well we have good news! This means that you are part of his family too!
Why do cats lick their kittens?
Cats tend to lick their young several times a day, both to identify them as members of their family and to warn others that these kittens are part of their territory. This is a means of protection for anyone trying to get close to the kittens.
In fact, the change in scent is often one of the reasons why cats reject their puppies, as they can no longer identify them. When this happens, they consider the "stinker" an intruder, and perhaps even a potential competitor for the kitties in their litter.
Cats lick each other to give protection
Bringing a new cat home is not an easy decision, because there is always the fear of how the feline that has been living there the longest will react. In these cases, not everyone assumes the arrival of the new member in the same way. Some cats are more difficult and have a hard time socializing and even accepting their new companion, while others have a more calm and inclusive attitude. Therefore, it is essential to know how to introduce a cat to another cat before integrating it.
The kitty who comes home also feels distrust and fear, finding himself in a territory that up to that moment has belonged to someone else. When this happens, some cats that already lived in the house assume a protective position, sniffing and licking the newcomer, in a kind ofwelcome With this gesture they not only transmit tranquility, but at the same time "take under their tutelage" the new member of the family. Thus, if you notice that your cat licks another recently arrived cat a lot, there are several reasons: protection and common aroma.
Have you noticed an illness?
There are times when a cat licks another cat because it detects an existing he alth problem. In these cases, the cat that licks usually focuses on a specific area, which coincides with the hurt or damaged part. This can be from a wound or a bruise from a blow, to all kinds of diseases, such as kidneys, heart, etc.
Why does the cat do this? It is believed that it is a way to comfort his partner in those moments when he is not quite well. If you notice that one of your cats licks another too insistently in the same area, it may be time to get a medical check-up.
Cats lick each other to clean themselves
Of course, of all these reasons, grooming could not be left out. Cats also like to groom themselves in company, but only with those members for whom they feel the most affection, obviously. A family that bathes together, stays together.
During these rituals it is also common for one of the cats to lose patience and claw at the other, or even bite it. The reasons for this behavior are not entirely clear yet, but it is a completely common reaction. To prevent them from hurting each other, you can separate them or make a loud noise to distract them.
