Browse ›
An orange cat licks the head of a sleeping golden puppy resting on a knit blanket in a cluttered, cozy room. 18 / 40

The Ginger Cat Decided the Puppy Needed a Proper Wash

AI imageorange catpuppygrooming

With her tongue just touching the fur between his ears, an orange longhair gives a sleeping golden puppy his morning wash. Her green eyes look off to the side with thoughtful concentration, as if she is deciding which spot needs attention next. The puppy sleeps through all of it, chin on a cream knit blanket, eyes closed and ears relaxed. A wicker basket of laundry, a soft grey throw, a pair of slippers and a leafy plant fill the cheerful clutter around them, and sunlight from the window lights up the top of the puppy's head.

Cats groom each other, called allogrooming, as a way of bonding and sharing scent, and it is usually a sign of trust and affection. A cat who licks a puppy is often treating him like part of her family group. This is a lovely sign, but keep an eye on it: some cats get a little too enthusiastic, and some puppies nibble back. A calm, supervised pairing with plenty of rest is best. Both animals should have their own food and water, and your vet can recommend flea and parasite prevention so grooming stays healthy and clean. If the cat ever seems tired of the attention, let her walk away.

The puppy may not know it yet, but he has been adopted by the neatest member of the household. She takes the job very seriously.

More from this collection

All 40 →
A white cat and a golden puppy drink side by side from a single stainless steel water bowl on a kitchen floor.One Bowl, Two Thirsty Friends, and Zero ArgumentsA red Maine Coon cat walks through a wildflower meadow while a golden puppy follows close behind with its tongue out.A Red Maine Coon Led the Puppy Into the Flower Meadow
A tortoiseshell cat and a sleeping tan puppy lie head to head on a sunlit wooden floor.Both Napped Right in the Middle of the SunbeamA seal point Siamese cat curls beside a sleeping golden puppy in a rope hammock on a porch.A Porch Hammock Held One Siamese Cat and One Sleeping PuppyA tortoiseshell cat sits upright behind a sleeping tan puppy curled up in a woven wicker basket.A Tortoiseshell Took Guard Duty Over the Puppy's Basket NapA red tabby Exotic Shorthair cat and a sleepy golden puppy sit together inside a green metal wheelbarrow in a backyard.The Ginger Cat Had Opinions About the Wheelbarrow. The Puppy Didn't.