Why Do Cats Smell Good?
Why Do Cats Smell Good?
Cats are equipped with a powerful sense of smell. A domestic cat's sense of smell is 9-16 times stronger than that of humans. Cats have a more extensive olfactory epithelium (approximately 20 cm2) than humans, meaning they have a stronger sense of smell.
Cats have 45 to 200 million odor-sensitive cells in their nostrils, but humans only have 5 million.
Thus cats' sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans.
Cat’s Olfactory organ or Jacobson's organ
Cats have an olfactory organ called Jacobson's organ located in the nasal septum above the roof of the mouth.
When your cat wrinkles its lips or opens its mouth, it is actually letting air move to Jacobson's organ to perceive the scents.
This unique organ detects aromas in the air and communicates with the brain using olfactory nerve cells to perceive a specific type of odor.
How does cats’ sniffing sense help them in their daily life:
1. Cats use their sniffing ability as a tool for chemical communication
Cats use their sniffing ability as a tool for chemical communication.
They release pheromones from their facial glands while welcoming each other. These chemicals release strong odorants which serve as a medium of communication between cats and help them recognize and hail their feline friends.
2. Cats smell to locate food
Cats are basically hunting animals that rely on their sniffing ability to locate and catch their prey. Even shortly after birth, a blind kitten uses its sense of smell to find its mother and latch onto a teat. This is how nature helps them survive through their ability to smell.
3. Cats sniff to find mating partners
Female cats during the estrus cycle emit a potent sex pheromone that can be detected or "sniffed" by a male even when they are a mile away. In this way, it becomes quite easier for female cats to find their mating partners.
4. Cats use their sense of smell to detect danger
When a cat opens its nostrils wide with its head held alert, it is actually sniffing the possible alarm and the passers-by in its territory.
If another cat or any animal has recently approached, the nose will tell the whole story of the current scenario with the assistance of a strong olfactory accessory organ.
5. Cats smell to mark their territories
Male cats use pheromones produced by glands on their paws and face or urine to mark their territory. They often visit the limits of their territory, sniff at their marks, and reapply when the scent fades. Thus they keep on redrawing their territorial lines.
How can you remove cats’ stress using their own sense of smell?
When taken to a new environment or exposed to dogs or new people, cats become stressed and anxious. To remove such anxiety:
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You may cover your cat with a blanket or clothes that it uses regularly. Because things already been in contact with your cat contain scents of its body. These scents will help your cat feel it is in its habitat & there is nothing to worry about.
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Or you may use VET-recommended synthetic pheromones that make your cat feel calm and relaxed.
Toxic smells for cats:
According to Pet Poison Helpline, essential oils are toxic and distressing for cats due to potentially hazardous VOCs. These toxic chemicals may cause drooling, difficulty breathing and coughing.
Cats also dislike strong acidic scents, such as those from citrus. Citrus peels are a tried-and-true natural cat repellent that is frequently strewn around gardens to keep cats out.
Capsaicin, the unique chemical responsible for the pungency and spiciness of chili peppers, has also been linked to potentially harmful VOCs that are toxic for cats.
4. Ground coffee
Cats don't like the coffee smell because it is quite disturbing and annoying for cats.