They're cleaning their paws. Tips for Observing Cats Licking Each Other's Bum. However, if you notice excessive or aggressive licking, or if your cat seems to be in pain or discomfort, its best to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. Impacted glands emit a noxious odor and the anal area may become swollen and irritated. She most likely wants attention and knows it will get a reaction from you when she starts licking them. Cats learn very early on that grooming is a social activity. Finally, cats can irritate each other's skin if they lick too hard. So, what are some behaviors that might make you question if your cat is acting normal? Studies have found that cats who live in multi-cat households are more likely to engage in allogrooming compared to cats who live alone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For our finicky felines, licking is key to grooming, which, as any kitty owner knows, cats are obsessed with. So why do cats lick each others private areas? It is their habit and something very basic to them. Don't worry, not in an aggressive way! If you are ever concerned about your cats behavior, the best thing to do is to talk to your veterinarian. Just like humans, cats show their affection in different ways. (Explained). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When it comes to feline behavior, there are a lot of questions that come up. However, cats can also develop excessive . This security can come from the natural chemicals produced by the body when it's in close proximity to its owner. Mutual grooming is a way for cats to bond and show affection towards one another. Your email address will not be published. However, sometimes they may lick each other's private areas. Many times, cats even reject others when they dont have their scent. -She is trying to remove a bladder stone or other type of obstruction from her urinary tract Author: cat-world.com Published: 11/08/2021 Review: 4.8 (844 vote) Summary: Female cats will lick their genitals as they are going into labour. So next time you see your kitties getting up close and personal, dont be alarmed. - They groom each other. Dogs can have two different signals to their nose touching greeting. Cats are always going to lick their private parts. One of the more embarrassing things that cats do is to lick their private parts. Why Is My Male Cat Licking My Female Cat Bum? AskMyCats.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Its not uncommon for cats to engage in mutual grooming, which can include licking each others private areas. If their new friend hasnt taken a shower in a while, your cat wont hesitate to let them know. But dont worry, we are sure its not anything serious unless you are sensitive to their saliva. "Mutual grooming [aka grooming between two individuals] helps connect cats with [a] 'safe' familiar family scent," Shojai told The Dodo. Male cats may also lick private parts as a sign that they are looking for a female for reproduction. Your surroundings and your cats hygiene will be too unhealthy if you prevent them from doing that. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes, you might receive an occasional lick from your feline out of affection. You cant even convince them otherwise unless you know the cats body language accurately and can be a feline. Cats lick to groom themselves and to keep themselves clean. Strengthening ties through licking is another reason why cats lick each others private areas. Reason #2: It's a sign of affection. Why do female cats lick each others private areas? Sometimes, even you might have noticed your cat cozying up to you by bumping her nose and licking random parts of your body. If ignored, an impaction may occur as the fluid becomes so thick that it does not flow through the narrow opening to the rectum. Physical problems: This behavior can lead to physical problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. So, why do cats lick each other? (What Motivates Cats). This means that many of their behaviors, such as stalking and pouncing, are actually quite normal. After going outside, your cats feet, belly, and any other area that contacts the ground should be cleaned with a damp towel or baby wipe to remove some of the pollen attached to the hair. Food allergies are triggered when the cat is sensitized to proteins (typically chicken, beef, or pork) or other molecules in the food. They like to lick every part, right from face to tail. Why do cats lick their paws? They simply bump noses or lick their companions private area. Allogrooming follows the same logic. Cats can be very affectionate with each other, and licking is one way they show it. Allogrooming is a way for kittens to socialize with each other and help them learn how to groom themselves. It could be a sign of insecurity or low self-esteem. Cats that are well-socialized and have a strong bond with their group members may engage in more frequent grooming behaviors, including licking each others bums. Pain medication and warm water soaks may alleviate the discomfort. Dr. Karen Becker, holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, feline veterinarian and author, https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3894&context=open_access_etds, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/cats-lick-too-much, Why Do Cats Have Wet Noses? 3. A cat may lick the area to relieve pain, too. Cats are very social animals, and they need to develop strong bonds with their fellow cats. For example, someone might behave angrily or impulsively because they're experiencing stress, or they might withdraw from social activities because they're shy or introverted. The person may be compensating for something they feel they are lacking in themselves. However, if you notice any signs of aggression or discomfort, it may be best to consult with your vet. It would help if you remembered that it is best to give cats baths only when necessary, that is when they are too dirty. This is why FLUTD is one of the reasons why cats keep licking their privates. It is often thought that cats lick each other's private areas to create a communal smell, which helps them to create a stronger bond with their clique. In many cases, people exhibit negative behaviors simply because they're going through a tough time, or because they haven't learned healthy coping mechanisms. It's a memory your cat had from being licked by its own mother and is a real sign of affection. There are a number of things you can do to stop your cats from licking each other's private areas. ), or hydrolyzed or man-made proteins to which the cat has not been exposed. It is also their way of showing affection or a stress buster. When this is the case, licking is only related to elimination and is not persistent. As we indicated earlier on, cats respond to a behavior known as allogrooming, which refers to grooming between members of the same species. Interesting Read: How Do Cats Clean Themselves After Pooping? Do cats enjoy licking their private areas? It is important to remember that cats can express themselves through mutual grooming and it is a natural behavior. We can think of it as a means for them to hone their ancestral hunting skills. It is also an act of self-care, since a well-groomed cat is less likely to get sick. Since this is part of the bonding process in both dogs and cats, a dog may lick the cat to show that it means the cat no harm and that it is interested in establishing a relationship with the . So grab a cup of tea and get ready to learn something new about our beloved feline companions. Bladder infections are fairly common and are caused by bacteria that usually respond to treatment with antibiotics. Mutual grooming is a common behavior among cats. Alternatively, it could be a way of attracting attention or seeking approval from others. Another possibility is that the male cat is simply showing affection to the female cat. Theyre just doing what comes naturally! If you have at least 2 cats as your feline friends, you must have noticed a common behavior among them, they lick each others private parts. Cats are very clean animals and groom each other to keep themselves clean. You dont want a foul-smelling cat running around the house. Any action you take based on the information found on cgaa.org is strictly at your discretion. Why do cats lick each other? Cats lick each other's bottoms or butts as a form of communication. A familiar or bad smell, desire for any sexual activity, or acceptance are some other possible reasons why your cats lick each others bum/private area. If your cat seems to be enjoying the licking, they will likely have their eyes half closed and may even start to purr. Similarly, cats communicate as well. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. We all know that cats are fastidious creatures when it comes to grooming. This helps to remove any dirt, debris, or parasites that may be on the skin. Licking helps cats to create a communal smell and to strengthen their ties. Its most likely attempting to remove dirt from its body fur. Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by admin. Cats will groom their family members and friends. Oral, topical, or injectable forms of antibiotics may be used. Also, it's a form of social bond between cats -- it's like the feline's version of petting! The following are some common reasons why cats lick each other: 1. 13) Attention-seeking behavior. Alert your veterinarian if you see any of the following signs: There are several medical reasons that prompt a cat to persistently lick the genital or anal regions. In some cases, cats may also lick another cats private areas due to vaginitis or vulvitis, which are both forms of inflammation that may require medical attention. When dogs meet other canines for the first time, they sniff each other's butts and may lick. When they accept another cat, they lick, which transfers the scent. In addition, cats licking each others private areas can also be a way of showing affection and strengthening ties. In this case, you should take your cats to the vet to make sure there are no medical problems causing the licking. Cats are social animals, and just like humans, they enjoy a good catch up with their friends. Mama cats start out grooming their babies. Normal, firm bowel movements are not usually followed by licking. They need to keep their genitals clean from dirt and discharge, and they don't use toilet paper for their anal region, so their tongue is the way to do it. First, you can try to redirect their attention by offering them a toy or something else to lick. One of the common symptoms is the cat licking her privates. To greet each other, we say Hello, Hi, and a huge variety of words. 4. Cats will also lick other household felines as a way to calm them down. Well, wonder no more! Why Did My Cat Not Go to a Certain Room? For example, you can try spraying the area with water or bitter apple spray. While it's usually nothing to worry about, excessive licking can sometimes be a sign of a medical condition, such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus. It could be that theyre trying to clean each other or as a sign of affection. Higher numbers of couples of cats living in the same area and less aggressive behavior between cats are both related to increased allogrooming. Licking is an acquired trait from the mother cat. Some dogs lick their owners' private areas as a way of communicating affection, while others may do it as a way of cleaning themselves. Sometimes, cats need a littermate to help them out! If your cat hasnt bathed in a long time, its friend might be trying to get them clean by licking. There are a few potential consequences of cats licking each other's private areas. Cats are very clean animals and they groom themselves often. The second reason is that they are marking their territory. Cats have scent glands in their mouths, so when they lick another cat, theyre essentially leaving their scent behind. The guilt, the feelings of shamelet them go. - They snooze together. Cats are very sensitive to body odor from other cats. Its clear that cats are able to understand the importance of mutual grooming in order to keep their relationships strong. Allogrooming in cats can be best observed in free-roaming cat colonies. Why Do Cats Lick Their Privates In Public, presence of pustules (pimples) or red bumps on the skin, discoloration of the skin (black or rust colored), scooting or rubbing the rectal area on the ground, presence of a foul odor between eliminations. 4. In multi-cat households, anal licking is a common behavior among cats. Today, were diving into the fascinating world of cat behavior to uncover the truth behind why cats lick each others bums. Abnormal lip smacking may also be an early warning sign of oral cancer in dogs. Seriously, I've never been so . So, what do they do? Although it's natural for cats to groom themselves and each other, some people find it unsightly or even unclean. Cats and dogs dont possess thumbs like us, humans, thus they have to come up with different ways to keep their necks and heads clean. This helps them to identify each other and to claim their territory. Similar to a dog licking a cat for grooming purposes, your dog may also be licking your cat as a sign of affection. Chances are, your cat will return the cat-kiss eye blink. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. Your dog may use licking as a way to get your attention. And how do you think this transferring works? If you see cats licking each other, it can indicate that the male cat is looking for a partner for reproduction. Sexual Activities 5. This can be those in the same litter of kittens, but they don't always have to be with blood relatives. When cats scratch on f. 16 Che Egbuna We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. In simple terms, these organs offer felines a google search of scent familiarization. Cats anal sacs located on both the sides of the anus act as an olfactory smorgasbord. It's like a built-in brush with tiny spines that are angled backward toward the kitty's mouth. The presence of genital discharge most often suggests an underlying problem, ranging from a mild, relatively benign disorder, to a severe, even life-threatening, disease. Finally, consult with your veterinarian. Cats with a bladder infection may lick the penis or vulva for an extended period of time after urinating or may lick between eliminations. There are several medical reasons that prompt a cat to persistently lick the genital or anal regions. Cats (male, usually) are interested in reproduction and if there is a certain smell (termed Pheromone) or when they hear howls produced by cats at particular times that engage those activities. Is it normal for cats to lick each others private areas? 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