First the Kiss..Then the Kill!!

I've noticed some new behavior in my 2 cats.

Joseph, the super sweet kitty that became sort of the alpha cat when he moved in in October '05, is a "groomer." He loves to groom me.

The strange thing is, he's started grooming my other cat, Frances. It seems like he (Joseph) starts grooming him (Frances) when he wants him to move...like when he's on Joseph's favorite couch cushion or on the edge of the tub when I'm bathing. Joseph will groom Frances for a while, Frances will tolerate it, and then Joseph starts biting him! Not a play bite, either...he wants him to move. Frances usually hisses and flees.

Is this normal?? I mean, the kind and thoughtful grooming and then the bite. Or, is the grooming a kind of warning??? I'm very curious to hear what you guys have to say about this!!

I call it the kiss of death! I have a cat that does that all the time!!!

Izzy will walk up to Jaz to have her ears licked, but if she hangs around to long Jaz will have a swipe at her, very curious

yes, quite normal

So the grooming isn't a form of affection, it's really a sort of gentle warning to my other cat that if he doesn't move, he's going to get bit?!?!?!?!? I guess I'm thinking: why not just bite him to begin with, to get him to move?

Originally Posted by julia123

So the grooming isn't a form of affection, it's really a sort of gentle warning to my other cat that if he doesn't move, he's going to get bit?!?!?!?!?

I guess I'm thinking: why not just bite him to begin with, to get him to move?

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My five year old male does the very same thing to my eight year old female. He usually does it when she's sleeping and he's wide awake and wants to play (his idea of a good time involves having her hiss, growl, swat at him and chase him up and down the hall way). I think he's just looking for attention and when he doesn't get it quickly enough, he becomes a little more agressive. The typical pesky little brother

My two groom each other all the time. Rosie would have Sophie grooming her all day if she could, and Sophie only stands it for so long, but Sophie hates her ears being licked out and lets Rosie know it!