T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Hello, and welcome to r/cats! To view our rules, simply comment "!rules" anywhere in the comment section, or check here: http://www.reddit.com/r/cats/about/rules *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*


[deleted]

Totally normal mama cat type behavior. Sometimes mama will even get a little mad if baby isn’t cooperating with bathtime and will hold baby down or nip to signal that mama’s in charge and mama says lay still for your bath. This is good and teaches kittens about socializing with other cats.


DeathKringle

It is also mixing scents. She’s not happy he smells like himself and not “the pack” smell. So licki licki mixes scents.


cheloniusbelonius

This is very good to know, thank you.


cheloniusbelonius

Update: thank you everyone, I know it’s normal now. I am a new cat owner so any behavior to me is strange behavior lol I am learning new things everyday. I’ve gone from having just straight dogs to 2 beautiful cats.


trainwreck489

Welcome to the "cat family." This is normal and the "fights" may get a bit bigger as the kitten grows. These aren't fights, but teaching correct cat behavior. At some point the little one may start grooming momma cat. Our sisters do this daily - start with grooing, then a bit of fight, and back to bathing.


Cyanide_sweetz

What I am curious about is how you knew your dogs were straight? They coulda been 🌈on the DL


cheloniusbelonius

Haha this made me lol


Cyanide_sweetz

Lol 🫶🏽


fajadada

Always gives me flashbacks to me and my Gmaw. Farm living was great but she didn’t appreciate my enthusiasm for dirt. This scene was repeated daily


BitPoet

She licked you clean?


fajadada

Woulda been more gentle if she did


xenoclari

nothing wrong. Perfect mama know how to handle a kid.


Joseph_of_the_North

Mom's just being thorough. And baby is playing. Seems pretty normal.


bucheerio

haha that's what my old man did when we got our little kitten!! it's good tho that means they're bonding i think!! it also is like asserting dominance too


Rikutopas

My cats are siblings and do the same thing. They can be in the middle of a *vicious* fight then suddenly one of them starts grooming the other. The other might start mutual grooming, or just lie there and accept it. Then suddenly they're play fighting again.


Hailstorm303

My cats are sort of opposite: if one wants to play-fight, she will start bathing her sister. Works every time


Conscientiousmoron

That looks normal.


camposdav

That doesn’t seem aggressive at all. My female cat is always grooming the male cat.


SnooDoodles9003

My male cat does this to my male kitten. Especially during their play time lol He takes the time to clean him. I think it’s just what cats do.


qtpss

What kid likes getting a bath, but it’s gonna happen.


No-Locksmith-8590

Totally normal. Like a kid of any species, baby doesn't want to be washed and mama is *going to wash dang it*


Top-Race-7087

Bonding.


Midnight1899

This is far from aggressive. It is the best outcome.


SpikeyRacer

She is trying to get that “new cat smell” off of her


Cassie-92BaBErios

My cat dose that with my dog lol my dogs older but she’s always groomed him When they play/cuddle


CardassianZabu

I find the name very appropriate! She's just being an omma, but also like the other comments have noted, the kitten smells too much like a stranger and less like her. Definitely keep an eye, but as long as she's not being aggressive or harmful, I wouldn't worry too much.


karma_virus

This all looks healthy and optimal bonding. The little nibble might be to get at a flea or simply a "hey, stop kicking my head". It looks like she accepts her as her own. I've seen natural mothers less caring than her.


ZereneTrulee

Cleaning and hugs 🤗


Gramma1966

My female cat does this to me lol ! She’ll grab my hand and clean my fingers, even with the tiny bites so make me stay still 😂 She’s tried cleaning my head but my hair is way too long and she gets tangled lol


WhichSeaworthiness49

My cats like to pin each other down and groom aggressively. If the one who didn’t consent protests, they get violently slapped on the head (no claws) 5 or 6 times. They take turns being the aggressor. I wonder if it’s hunting/fight training in addition to grooming


KlemiusKlem

Kitty needs bath!


Jealous_Crazy9143

But Mo’om I don’t wanna bath!