34 Chapter 3- (Fig. 3.11). If both cats approach each other with a raised tail then both cats
are more likely to rub against each other, but if the raised tail approach is unilateral
the recipient might not respond at all or might only rub briefly after being rubbed on
by the initiator. From studies of feral and farm cat colonies it appears that, unlike
nose touching, allorubbing is more likely to be initiated by females than males and by
younger group members towards older animals (Cafazzo and Natoli, 2009; Bradshaw
et al., 2012).
It has been speculated that rubbing between cats serves to maintain a ‘colony
odour’ by exchanging scents (Bradshaw et al., 2012). Another theory is that this could
be an extension of a food solicitation behaviour that kittens direct towards their
mother (Cafazzo and Natoli, 2009). This is more likely to be the case when the behav-
iour is directed towards human care givers at feeding time.
Tail wrap
This usually occurs between two socially bonded cats or might also be directed
towards another animal or person considered to be friendly. The tail is directed so
that it wraps around or against the other individual. When two cats are involved the
tails usually wrap around each other. As with allorubbing the behaviour is more likely
to follow a raised tail approach by the initiator and is more likely to be reciprocated
if the recipient also has a raised tail.
Allogrooming
Grooming of another cat is usually directed towards the head and neck area and a
cat may solicit grooming from another by approaching with a flexed neck to expose
Fig. 3.11. Allorubbing occurs between socially bonded individuals and often follows a
mutual tail-up approach.