Cats are notoriously aloof, but even the most aloof members of the family can show affection by running their rough tongues over a person's body.
Is this a specific expression of love or simply a desire to explore the world around us by taste?
What is allogrooming
This behavior, where cats lick other animals or humans, is known as "allogrooming."
Scientists believe that such displays of friendliness strengthen friendly relationships and demonstrate the pet's affection.
Allogrooming differs from scent marking in that cats do not use it as a way to mark what they believe to be their property.
Allogrooming is a form of affiliative behavior aimed at establishing a bond between a cat and its environment.
This occurs when the cat feels relaxed and is near a preferred social partner.
Another explanation for why a cat initiates social contact by licking its partner is that it is doing so to attract the partner's attention.
