Ear nibbling

[SazLou16]

I often catch Dobby nibbling and licking Socks ear, Sock just stops still and lets him so it doesn't seem to bother him in anyway but I was just wondering is this just a form of grooming or is it something I should be worried about?

Many Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

It is a way of showing affection with a hint of friendly dominance thrown in if the ear is actually nibbled - something along the lines "I love to have you in my group". The technical term is power grooming.

If it is just licking mainly around the eye then it is affection without the dominance component; the equivalent of us humans having a cuddle or a kiss.

 

[SazLou16]

Thank you so much I think there is definitely a bit of nibbling going on, but at least it's a friendly form of dominance - I can deal with that.