The act of one feline grasping another’s nape with its teeth is a common behavior observed amongst domesticated and feral cats. This action, primarily directed towards the neck area, serves a variety of purposes within the feline social structure. Instances of this behavior can be observed between kittens and their mothers, between mating pairs, and amongst cats establishing dominance hierarchies.
This behavior is fundamentally rooted in instinctive responses. In the context of mother-kitten interactions, a mother cat may use this gentle grip to immobilize her offspring for transportation or grooming. Within mating rituals, the male cat often employs a neck bite to subdue the female, facilitating successful copulation. In multi-cat households or colonies, neck biting can be a display of power, solidifying social ranking and maintaining order. The control afforded by the grip asserts dominance without necessarily causing significant physical harm.
