Why Do Cats Lick Each Other?

What is allogrooming?

Allogrooming is the term for social grooming between members of the same species. In cats, it typically involves one cat licking the head, neck, and face of another. These are the areas a cat has the hardest time grooming on its own, so there is a genuine hygiene benefit. But the behavior goes well beyond cleanliness. Studies on feral cat colonies have shown that allogrooming occurs most frequently between cats that have a close social bond, often related cats or cats that have lived together for a long time. It does not happen indiscriminately between all members of a group.

Is it about bonding or dominance?

Both, depending on context. Most allogrooming is a bonding behavior that reinforces social cohesion. Cats that groom each other tend to sleep near each other, play together, and show fewer signs of tension. However, research has also observed that higher-ranking cats in a group tend to groom lower-ranking cats more frequently than the reverse, and the grooming cat sometimes follows up with a mild assertive behavior like a gentle bite or a paw placed on the other cat. This suggests that allogrooming can serve as a subtle way of reinforcing social position without overt aggression.

Do all cats allogroom?

No. Allogrooming only occurs between cats that have established a social bond. Cats that merely tolerate each other in a shared household may never groom one another. Cats that actively dislike each other will certainly not. When a new cat is introduced to a home and the resident cat eventually begins grooming them, it is one of the strongest signals that the cats have accepted each other. The absence of allogrooming between cats in the same home does not necessarily mean they are in conflict; some cats are simply more independent and do not engage in social grooming regardless of their relationship quality.

Can allogrooming lead to conflict?

Occasionally. A grooming session that starts peacefully can shift into a bite, a swat, or a wrestling match. This sometimes happens when the grooming cat crosses into a sensitive area or when the receiving cat hits its tolerance threshold for being touched, similar to petting-induced aggression with humans. It can also occur when the dominance aspect of grooming surfaces and the receiving cat pushes back. These transitions are usually brief and not a sign of a serious relationship problem. If grooming consistently ends in fighting, it may reflect tension that needs environmental management like additional resources and space.