Curious about this odd cat behavior

April 16, 2024 11:14 AM

I've had cats my whole life, but had never seen this behavior before. Our Older Cat (4) is beloved by our newer, younger cat (2). Younger Cat ADORES Older Cat and seems to get jealous/FOMO whenever we pet the Older Cat -- but not for herself. If she sees us petting him, she will immediately run over to wherever we are and start grooming Older Cat herself. Almost as if to say "that's MY job." What's up with that?

Both are shelter cats we got at different times. Older Cat FWIW doesn't really care about Younger Cat and merely tolerates her licking for a few minutes before he gets up and walks away.

I realize that cats are weird and do inexplicable things -- but I've just never seen this behavior before and am trying to figure it out.

Lastly, if it makes a difference, Older Cat will occasionally attempt to groom us -- but Younger Cat never ever attempts it, despite being very affectionate with us otherwise.

Curious as to your thoughts!

posted by egeanin to Pets & Animals (4 answers total)

I think younger cat is human identified and is just joining in on what the humans are doing.
posted by amanda at 12:02 PM on April 16 [2 favorites]

Best answer: She is removing your inferior disgusting NON-FELINE smells and replacing them with her superior beautiful cat smells. Or this is what I think when I pet my cat and she immediately grooms that spot while glaring at me.
posted by kapers at 1:24 PM on April 16 [9 favorites]

Best answer: Cats grooming other cats can be a power/domination behavior and your new cat may be trying to establish territory by grooming the older one. Watch eye contact between them. Dominant cats will maintain eye contact and expect subordinate cats to look away. Your older cat may be withdrawing because it’s easier than fighting.
posted by toodleydoodley at 1:47 PM on April 16 [2 favorites]

Seconding the dominance thing. In our household it can be very amusing to watch the cats in the middle of the hierarchy attempt to groom/get the other cats to groom them. One of the younger boys exclusively tries to get the highest ranking cat to groom him when they are both on the bed with me - never if I'm not also on the bed or if we're all in the same place. (Of course she will have None Of That and always sends him on his way without a single lick, but he keeps trying!)

Even if it doesn't seem like the younger cat wants your attention, that's still probably what they're going for. I've very often seen the cats use 'cute' looking grooming to force another cat out of a favored spot or off my lap.
posted by unsettledink at 11:56 AM on April 17 [1 favorite]