Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Miki, the kitten who made me a cat person.
Cats can be quite strange when expressing their feelings, both positive and negative, for one another. One minute, they are playing or grooming each other, and the next minute, there is hissing and swiping, and you need to intervene before all hell breaks loose. If someone had told me this is how it worked, I wouldn’t have believed a single word. Now I’ve seen for myself how the dynamic between cats can change any minute. Still, it is obvious, or as obvious as it can be in kitty body language, and I know deep down that all three of my cats actually do care for one another, and they have become a bonded trio.
Proper Sisters: Love and Hate
Minnie and Nara have taken a good five months to perfect their relationship, and the more I look at how they interact with each other, the more clear it is that they have become sisters. There are mixed feelings involved, from seeking each other’s comfort in times of uncertainty, to playing and sharing adventures together, to grooming each other, and finally, fighting. The fights are very short and mild, but they are a daily occurrence. Since going outside, they have been fighting less and grooming each other more.
It may be their own way of establishing their relationship and finding ways to avoid conflict, but there is a growing amount of allogrooming. This term means the two kittens love to clean each other, and it seems that Minnie is the one who initiates the act more often than not. Interestingly, Minnie is usually the one standing above Nara and licking her head and neck area, sometimes even cleaning her ears. Science suggests that allogrooming is also a way for cats to avoid conflict and strengthen their bond. It definitely looks like that with these two.
Miki Joins In at Times
Miki, despite now enjoying the company of two kittens, whom he loves playing with, still acts like a bit of a loner. But he does participate in the grooming sessions. He usually grooms Nara, and I rarely see him lick Minnie. Minnie tries to groom him, as does Nara, but he is mostly the one on the giving side. It’s interesting to think about this dynamic, as if Miki likes to stay out of whatever is happening between Nara and Minnie. Some days, it feels like the two of them still can’t decide if they love or hate each other.
It Always Progresses to Playing
The allogrooming sessions usually last only a few minutes, and the receiving side generally gets annoyed at the giving side. Or so it seems. Then, from gentle signs of affection, it quickly goes to harmless nibbles and swipes, and mainly wrestling. One or both kittens often fall to the ground, as the session tends to occur on my bed or chairs, and from there onwards, they’re running around and chasing one another. It’s hard to fully understand their dynamic, and a similar thing happens when Miki is the one grooming the kittens or receiving their attention. My best guess is that they are still in the process of sorting out who is where in their social group, but they clearly care about one another and have grown fond of each other.
What Will the Future Bring?
That is the question! I have no more doubts about whether and how well they will continue getting along, as it’s already pretty clear that the three of them have a special connection. It took them some time to build it, but it seems to grow stronger every day. The one thing that worries me most, although I hope we are many years away from it, is what happens when we lose one. How will the rest cope, and what impact will it have on all of us? It’s way too early to wonder about this, but knowing myself, it’s something that occasionally pops up in my mind. In the meantime, I cherish the moments when they’re playing or following each other around seeking reassurance when dealing with something new and unfamiliar, and the short but sweet sessions of allogrooming.
- Read her previous article: Hunter Gatherer Kittens: So It Begins
- Read her next article: The Case of the Missing Cats: Miki, Minnie & Nara Hide From Guests
Proper Sisters: Love and Hate
