cat grooming

[mandimoo]

we adopted a stray cat approx 3 months ago. the stray, we call him ghost and we think he is about 1 year old. our other cat monsta, is about 14 years old. they get on pretty well, with the odd spat. ghost quite often licks monsta, who takes it on the chin, but i dont think he is that keen on having it done! ive been reading up on this and it would seem that it is more usual for the old cat to groom the young cat, so im wondering what it means about the dynamics of their relationship? im sure the old cat is the dominant one cos when it comes to food he gets in first. none of this is a problem, im just trying to suss out the new cat.

[~max~]

Licking can also be a sign of obedience/servile behaviour. Like kittens do to their mother sometimes. The new cat could be expressing its wish to be part of the "family" by showing the older cat that he will be remaining under his rule.

[Ava77]

maybe ghost just thinks that monsta smells!

[mandimoo]

ava, he licks me quite a lot too!

[~max~]

Mine licks my face to wake me up and ask for a cuddle every morning. But she also does it after I've told her off.