My two cats, both males, fought terribly after I took the second one in three years ago, but after a bit seemed to establish their roles and now are mostly buddies. There is one behavior, though, that I'm still trying to understand. Red Cat (the dominant one) will often lick the top of Purdy's head. It looks quite sweet, really. Then he jumps him! I'm not sure if the fight the ensues is a real fight or just wrestling, but I usually end it quickly with a single clap of my hands.
Is the licking of Purdy's head a typical form of dominant behavior or just a unique quirk behavior of these two cats? I've been able to decrease the number of times Red Cat jumps Purdy by giving Red Cat a treat those times he licks Purdy's head and walks away WITHOUT jumping him first. (Red Cat really likes those treats!) I've noticed, though, that whenever Red Cat does lick Purdy's head, Purdy just cringes. Can't say I blame him.
Is the licking of Purdy's head a typical form of dominant behavior or just a unique quirk behavior of these two cats? I've been able to decrease the number of times Red Cat jumps Purdy by giving Red Cat a treat those times he licks Purdy's head and walks away WITHOUT jumping him first. (Red Cat really likes those treats!) I've noticed, though, that whenever Red Cat does lick Purdy's head, Purdy just cringes. Can't say I blame him.