Story perspectives

Cats Groom Friendlies and Fights, Study Shows Subtle Signals

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ghent University researchers led by behaviorist Morgane Van Belle published a study that cats use allogrooming affiliatively and passively-aggressively.
From videos in 53 homes, they found friendly grooming showed symmetric postures, while aggressive grooming showed posture and neck biting.
Van Belle said subtle licking warns cats to avoid fights.
Psychology professor Suzanne MacDonald and behaviorist Kristyn Vitale said findings help owners interpret signals, echo grooming in primates, horses and birds.

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Story summary

Ghent University researchers led by behaviorist Morgane Van Belle published a study that cats use allogrooming affiliatively and passively-aggressively.
From videos in 53 homes, they found friendly grooming showed symmetric postures, while aggressive grooming showed posture and neck biting.
Van Belle said subtle licking warns cats to avoid fights.
Psychology professor Suzanne MacDonald and behaviorist Kristyn Vitale said findings help owners interpret signals, echo grooming in primates, horses and birds.