Glossary

Allogrooming

One cat licking another, usually around the head and neck, which strengthens bonds between cats that live together.

Also called: mutual grooming, social grooming, cat grooming each other

Allogrooming is when cats groom each other. It is most often seen around the head and neck, the places a cat cannot easily reach for itself. It begins in kittens, whose mother licks them to clean them and stimulate toileting. Adult cats that know each other well, especially relatives and those who share a home, keep the habit.

It does more than clean the coat. Cats that groom each other share their odours, which builds a group scent that makes the household feel safe, see scent marking. Together with bunting, sleeping in contact and sharing a rest spot, allogrooming is a good sign that two cats are bonded. It is usual for one cat to do more than the other.

Occasionally one cat grooms another so hard that fur is thinned or the skin is sore, and the receiving cat may tense or walk away. That is a sign of tension, not friendship. Watch what happens next and intervene with a distraction if the receiver seems upset. Hair loss in either cat may also stem from allergy or parasites, so ask your vet if you see bald patches, redness or scabs.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Bunting A cat pressing its head, cheeks or chin against a person, object or another cat to leave scent and say hello. Overgrooming Licking, chewing or pulling at fur so much that it causes thin or bald patches, with causes ranging from skin disease to stress. Multi-cat household A home with two or more cats, where enough litter boxes, food stations, perches and hiding spots prevent stress and conflict. Scent marking How a cat leaves chemical messages on objects, people and places using glands in its face, paws and body, and in its urine.

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