New research suggests that the act of cats grooming each other, known as allogrooming, can sometimes be an indicator of underlying conflict rather than purely a sign of friendship. A study conducted by scientists at Ghent University in Belgium explored this behavior, which challenges the long-held belief that allogrooming exclusively signifies a close bond between felines.
The researchers proposed that allogrooming can also occur in situations of social tension. In these contexts, it may serve as a method for a cat to appease another and prevent an escalation of conflict, or it could be a subtle signal to covertly resolve a disagreement. The study involved 53 households with two cats, where owners were asked to record their pets grooming one another.
Findings indicated that allogrooming can function as a subtle aggressive signal. According to the researchers, cats may opt for this less confrontational approach to avoid the risk of injury that could result from a physical fight. For instance, if two cats desire the same sunny spot, one might engage in allogrooming as a way to assert its claim. Observations noted that when one cat licks another, particularly on the neck, the recipient may flatten its ears, suggesting discomfort with the interaction.
Subtle signs of stress were also observed during these grooming sessions, including head shaking, scratching behind the ears, yawning, or lip licking. These behaviors were particularly evident when the cats displayed unequal body postures, such as one cat leaning over the other. This suggests a state of tension or discomfort in the recipient of the grooming.
However, the study also confirmed that allogrooming can indeed strengthen social bonds, serve a hygienic purpose, or help a cat relax. In 41% of observed instances, seeking physical contact, like snuggling, was followed by allogrooming. This type of grooming, especially on the head and ears, which are sensitive areas and contain scent glands, can be pleasant for the recipient. Additionally, allogrooming was linked to play; cats sometimes use licking, often around the neck area where they playfully bite each other, to initiate wrestling or play.
The findings offer a more nuanced understanding of feline social dynamics, suggesting that grooming behaviors are multifaceted and can reflect a range of emotions and intentions from affiliation to mild aggression.