How Do Cats Choose Which Body Parts To Groom?

1. Body Part Accessibility:

- Reach some areas while standing (front of head, throat, front legs).

- Groom other areas while lying down comfortably (lower limbs and belly).

2. Sensitivity in Body Parts:

- More touch-sensitive areas are cleaned thoroughly (head and chest are groomed before tail and hind legs).

#### Grooming Order**:

1. Head & Face:

> Start with muzzle because most odors travel in that direction -> face (especially eyes), behind & between ears.

2. Front:

> Neck → right foreleg & paws → left foreleg & paws.

3. Sides:

> Back behind front forelegs, ribs, abdomen on both sides and inner thighs.

4. Rear:

> Back behind hips → right paw & hind-limb → left paw & hind-limb, right flank, left flank, rump

#### Tail-to-Muzzle Pattern

- Cats begin around base and end near tip as their tongues don't extend beyond jaw/chin length