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A blue Great Dane licks the forehead of a cream Persian cat with a grumpy flat face in a cluttered room. 10 / 21

The Great Dane Offered the Persian Cat a Bath. She Held Very Still.

AI imagegreat danepersian catgrooming

Few things are as tender as a dog this big being this careful. The blue Great Dane leans his long grey head down and gives the Persian cat a slow lick on the forehead, and the cat accepts the attention with her usual look of mild disapproval. Her cream-colored fur is fluffy, her flat face is wonderfully grumpy and her orange eyes are fixed on something just past the camera. Behind them, a basket of laundry and a pile of throws give the room a comfortable lived-in look, and chew toys lie scattered on the floor.

Great Danes are often called gentle giants. Despite their enormous size, many are calm, affectionate dogs that love being near their families. Because they are so large, training and supervision around smaller pets are important, even if the dog means well. Dogs sometimes lick cats as a form of social grooming, which is a way some animals show care and familiarity. Persian cats, with their long, thick coats, need regular brushing and often benefit from face cleaning, since their flat faces can lead to tear staining. If you share a home with a very large dog and a delicate cat, it helps to keep the cat's food and litter box out of reach of the dog and to provide high perches. Your vet can recommend a grooming routine that suits a long-haired cat.

The Persian is clearly putting up with it, but she has not walked away, and that says plenty. A little dignity can be spared for a friend.

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