Is this odd cat behavior?

Question

I have two cats. One is bigger and more dominant than the other. The smaller one tends to lick the larger one's head and face sometimes when they stand near each other. FYI both neutered males, probably not a sex thing. :o)

Is the less dominant cat being friendly, or really subservient, or something else?

Answer 1

No, it's not unusual for them to groom one another. Although, I have noticed also that it is usually the less dominant one that does the grooming. Much like many other species.

Answer 2

Something else... Cats normally groom each other... I have two cats that do the same thing, though, I know it's not a dominance issue because the "dominant" one normally tries to clean the other one (who is also bigger than she is). I have two female cats. And they just clean each other every once in a while... I'd say it might be to "be friendly" but I know know if the dominant cat really likes to be cleaned or finds it as an annoyance...

Answer 3

Totally normal. Some cats are just more interested in proper hygiene and want other cats to be well groomed too. My brother-in-law had two male cats. One was dominant and the other one licked the dominant one all the time. But it was because the more submissive cat had impeccable hygiene. His fur was soft and supple and never had a hair out of place. He wanted to make sure that his housemate also had a nice coat. Unfortunately, the cat with proper hygiene passed away, and now the other cat's fur is smelly and nasty. Just like humans, some cats care more about their appearance than others! =)

Answer 4

The less dominant cat is probably trying to get the attention of the older cat. The smaller looks up to him, it is perfectly normal. Aggression from the older cat shouldn't be a problem since he is a male and therefore more subdued. If he does get aggresive though, the younger cat will learn. I hope this helped!

Answer 5

Sometimes a young cat latches on to an older cat as a mother figure and allows it to groom it. I have read it is common for grooming between blood related females,but it may occur between any two cats with a strong social bond

Answer 6

Cats of both sexes will groom each other. So, it's perfectly normal. The only thing I'd watch for is the one who is doing the grooming may be more inclined to getting a hairball you may need to treat.

Answer 7

I'd say that the cats are just being friendly. I had two boy cats and they used to lick each other all the time. I'd guess that its nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

Just means they are used to each other and love each other. It's not unusual.

My aunt had two cats (both male, both fixed) and the older (which was actually smaller) would like the younger cat's head before they ate. My aunt always said Charlemagne was washing Teddy Bear up for his meal LOL

It's cute, and you shouldn't worry about it. They're just showing their affection.

Answer 9

I have had cats almost all my life ( 50+ years!) I have seen this behavior frequently and it is usually a subservient kind of thing. Sort of like "kissing up to the boss" LOL

Answer 10

My cats do this, too. My friends and I joke about them being gay lovers, since they are both neutered males. I am sure though, that it is just another way to show that they care about each other. They are helping one another clean themselves, because cats can't reach their head unless they lick their paw and rub their face with it. :)

Answer 11

It's normal. My kittens lick their mom all the time. I also had two dogs both males, and the smaller one liked to lick the bigger one.