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A fluffy black Maine Coon cat grooms a yellow duckling with its tongue among a small group of ducklings on a cluttered floor. 17 / 36

A Big Black Cat Gave a Tiny Duckling a Very Gentle Wash

AI imagemaine coonducklingsgrooming

The big black Maine Coon bends low, tongue just touching the head of a fluffy duckling, her amber eyes half closed in concentration. Around her, four more ducklings wait or wander, their yellow fluff glowing against her dark coat, their orange bills turned in every direction. A wicker basket of laundry, a pair of worn shoes and a window with soft grey light fill the cluttered, cheerful room behind them. The cat's long whiskers and ear tufts stand out in the light, and her face holds a gentle, patient expression, as if she has done this a hundred times and is quite good at it.

Grooming is one of the ways cats show care and build bonds, and some cats treat the youngsters around them as members of their family. This gentle behavior is sweet to watch, but it is still wise to be careful with cats and young birds, because a lick can turn into a nibble in an instant, and a duckling is far smaller and more fragile than any kitten. Ducklings need a warm brooder, clean bedding and water, and they should always be supervised when out. If you have both cats and baby birds at home, talk to your vet about how to introduce them safely.

Whatever the ducklings think of their wash, they stand very still for it. The Maine Coon is clearly proud of her careful work.

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