Why Do Cats Lick Dogs? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
Who says that cats and dogs can’t live in harmony? Most people think that cats and dogs do not like each other, hence the saying, “fighting like cats and dogs,” but that’s not always true.
Cats and dogs can get along famously and even form strong friendships. When you see your cat licking your dog, there are reasons for the behavior. In this article, we’ll explore the four possible reasons why your cat licks your dog, and each one will make you smile.
The 4 Reasons Why Cats Lick Dogs
1. Grooming
Grooming is a favorite pastime for cats, and they often groom each other if they are bonded. It is a way to show acceptance of another animal, and if you see your cat grooming your dog, that means the cat considers the dog a friend.
It also shows trust or that the cat has accepted the dog, so the next time you see your cat licking your dog, know that it’s perfectly normal and special, and there is no cause for alarm.
2. Motherly Instinct
Another reason could simply be a motherly instinct. Licking is a way a cat expresses motherly love, and your cat may express this love to the family dog. If you have a puppy, your cat may lick the puppy, thinking it needs to be cared for and is helpless without them. Witnessing a sight of this nature is truly special and is certainly photo-worthy.
3. Affection
Licking is another way to show affection, and it helps to build strong bonds between the two. Licking and grooming is a natural way for cats to calm themselves, and when they lick and groom the family dog, they are calm, relaxed, and feel no threat toward the canine companion. The dog probably enjoys the special treatment, too!
4. Scent
Our last possible reason why your cat licks your dog is because of scent. When a cat licks a dog, they leave their scent behind, and the next time the cat curls up with the dog, the scent will be familiar. Cats have an extraordinary sense of smell, with roughly 200 million sense receptors in their nasal passage compared to humans, who only have 6 million.
The cat may also be curious about the dog’s smell. Dogs sometimes have food particles stuck to their face, or the cat may be attracted to the natural oils in the dog’s fur. Even if the licking is due to curiosity, it’s still a great sign because it means the cat is comfortable enough to lick the dog.
Conclusion
As you can see, when a cat licks a dog, it is nothing but a positive situation, and you can feel happy that your cat thinks so highly of a dog in the first place! You may want to monitor the behavior first to make sure the dog is comfortable with being licked. If your dog doesn’t care for it, you may need to separate the two, but odds are your dog won’t mind it and may even welcome it.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit: nekodg, Pixabay
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Rachel Giordano is a Pensacola, Florida-based musician and writer. She lives with her partner and their two dogs, Sophie, a Boston Terrier, and Aero, a Border Collie/Sheltie mix. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and loves writing about all types of cat breeds. When she’s not writing about cats, she loves to write suspense/thriller novels. A musician by night and writer by day, she enjoys sharing her knowledge of the needs and requirements of our furry friends.
