What does it mean when one cat licks another cat's fur?

When one cat licks another cat's fur, there are several possible meanings: marking territory, asserting dominance, cleaning the body, and killing boredom. This is a normal phenomenon. At the same time, this behavior announces rank differences and fosters feelings between cats, so owners don't need to worry too much. However, during the licking process, it is inevitable that hair will be ingested into the body, so owners should also pay attention to regularly feeding cats hair removal paste or catnip to help them expel hairballs in a timely manner.

Marking territory

Cats recognize each other primarily through smell, so one cat licking another's fur may be to make the smell of the other's body similar to their own. Cats in the same household will usually have a common scent.

Asserting dominance

When two cats establish their hierarchy after getting along, the dominant cat will lick the submissive cat. This is a way for cats to assert their dominance, but it is also a symbol of friendship, indicating that they can accept each other. If a cat is refused when offering to lick another cat, it may be that the cat being licked is unwilling to accept it. It is recommended to separate them temporarily to avoid fights.

Cleaning the body

A cat with a strong maternal instinct may see the other cat as their own child and use their tongue to groom and clean the fur, also giving a massage in the process.

Killing boredom

If two cats of similar age mutually lick each other, it may be a way of playing and killing boredom. This is also a method for cats to pass the time when they are bored.