M. J.R. Van Belle, C.P.H. Moons, D. S. Mills, B. J.G. Broeckx, F. A.M. Tuyttens, N. G. Kmecová; Unravelling feline social dynamics – A video-based observational study on allogrooming in domestic cats. J.Applied Animal Behavior Science, vol. 301, 2026, 107038, DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107038.
Social grooming, known as allogrooming, is common behavior among cats living together, but its purpose has remained unclear. While many people view it as a sign of friendship or affection, new research suggests the behavior is far more complex.
Researchers analyzed video recordings of 40 pairs of cats living in the same household. They examined when allogrooming occurred, which parts of the body were groomed, whether grooming was reciprocated, and what other behaviors took place before, during, and after grooming. The researchers found that cats most often groomed the head and neck, areas that are difficult for a cat to groom independently. Grooming was usually one-sided, with one cat consistently grooming the other rather than both cats grooming each other equally. This suggests that allogrooming is not simply a reciprocal expression of affection.
The study also found that while allogrooming often occurred alongside positive social behaviors such as rubbing, sniffing, and resting near one another, it did not always represent a friendly interaction. In some cases, grooming ended with one cat moving away or displaying aggressive behavior. These observations suggest that allogrooming may sometimes help cats manage social relationships, establish social boundaries, or reduce tension—not just strengthen social bonds.
Overall, the findings indicate that allogrooming is a complex social behavior influenced by factors such as the cats’ relationship, age, sex, and individual personalities. Rather than serving as a simple sign of affection, grooming appears to have multiple social functions that depend on the situation.
Understanding these subtle social behaviors can help veterinarians, behaviorists, and cat owners better interpret interactions between cats. Recognizing that grooming is not always a sign of harmony may also help owners identify social stress in multi-cat households and make management changes that improve feline welfare.