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A black cat with amber eyes licks the head of a yellow duckling while five more ducklings gather on a rug in a living room. 10 / 32

A Sleek Black Cat Bent Down and Gave One Lucky Duckling a Bath

AI imageblack catducklingsgrooming

Bath time, cat style. A sleek black cat with glowing amber eyes has bent her head down and is giving one lucky duckling a careful lick right on top of its fuzzy yellow head. The duckling tilts its bill upward and squints, accepting the attention with remarkable calm. Five more ducklings crowd around on the patterned rug, some watching, some clearly waiting their turn. Behind them, a living room couch is piled with a gray throw and a denim jacket, a mug sits on the coffee table, and colorful toys are scattered on the floor.

Cats groom each other as a way to bond, a behavior known as allogrooming, and some extend the habit to other animals they accept as part of their group. It is sweet to watch, but it is a good reminder about hygiene. Live poultry, including cute ducklings and chicks, can carry Salmonella germs even when they look perfectly healthy and clean. Health agencies advise washing your hands thoroughly after handling ducklings or anything in their area, keeping poultry out of kitchens and eating areas, and not kissing or snuggling the birds against your face. Young children should always be supervised around them.

None of that takes away from the charm of this moment, of course. The black cat seems utterly devoted to her task, the duckling seems to be enjoying the spa treatment, and the rest of the flock looks ready to line up for their own turn.

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