Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium found that cats may lick each other to assert dominance or apply social pressure [1, 2].
This finding challenges the common perception that mutual grooming, known as allogrooming, is exclusively a sign of affection or bonding between pets. Understanding these social cues helps owners better interpret feline hierarchy and conflict avoidance.
While many pet behavior experts describe the behavior as a way for cats to bond [2], the Ghent University study suggests a more complex social function [1]. The research indicates that licking can be used as a tool to dominate another cat without the need to initiate a physical fight [1, 2].
In some instances, the grooming process can become irritating to the cat receiving the attention [1]. This suggests that allogrooming may serve as a non-violent method of establishing a social pecking order within a household, or colony.
The study highlights a contrast in how feline behavior is interpreted. Traditional views emphasize the emotional bond created through grooming [2], but the new data points toward a strategic social mechanism [1]. By using licking to apply pressure, a dominant cat can maintain its status while avoiding the risks associated with direct aggression.
Researchers observed these behaviors to determine why cats engage in mutual grooming beyond simple hygiene. The results suggest that the act of licking is often tied to the power dynamics between the animals [1, 2].
“Cats may lick each other to assert dominance or apply social pressure.”
This research shifts the understanding of feline communication from purely emotional to strategic. By identifying allogrooming as a potential tool for dominance, scientists are providing a more nuanced view of how domestic cats manage social hierarchies and resolve tension without resorting to violence.
