Evolution of a Cat's Self-Grooming Skills: From Kitten

Research indicates that healthy cats dedicate approximately 8% to 15% of their waking hours to grooming themselves. This essential maintenance behavior serves as a barometer for a cat's overall health. Excessive grooming might suggest underlying psychological or skin issues, whereas a disheveled appearance can indicate systemic illness or a weakened state.

At around three weeks of age, kittens begin to groom their fur, and by six weeks, most are adept at the task, just like adult cats. Before this, the mother cat takes care of the kittens' grooming. Once the kittens learn to groom themselves, they often start grooming each other—a common behavior among cats raised together. Moreover, since domestic cats seem to treat humans as surrogate parents, it's not surprising that some cats enjoy being "combed" by their owners. Cats are especially delighted when their human companions reciprocate the grooming gesture.

Here's a typical sequence of a cat's grooming activities:

Licking the nose

Licking the lips

Wetting their claws

Cleaning one side of the head, including ears, eyes, and nose with the wet claw

Licking the other claw

Cleaning the other side of the head, also including ears, eyes, and nose with the other claw

Licking the shoulders and forelegs

Licking the sides

Licking the anal and genital area

Licking the hind legs

Licking the tail

While grooming, a cat's tongue has barbs at the tip, functioning like the teeth of a comb. These barbs effectively remove loose fur and debris from the coat, preventing the formation of fur balls that could lead to abscesses and skin infections.

Beyond its primary hygiene role, grooming also helps cats regulate their body temperature. Most of a cat's body does not sweat; instead, their sweat glands are concentrated in specific areas, such as the paws. On hot days, the evaporation of saliva that accumulates on the fur through licking can keep cats cool, explaining why they drink more water during hot weather.

In cold weather, a wellmaintained "coat" acts as a cat's natural insulation. Additionally, licking one's body stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete oils, making the fur more waterproof.

Licking wounds is a beneficial behavior, as a cat's saliva has antibacterial properties that can reduce the risk of infection.

Licking can also serve as a displacement behavior, acting as an alternative activity to reduce tension caused by conflict.