Every cat I ever lived with was a rescue kitty. When those cats arrived at their new home, they would sniff all around. They would also look around and paw around, and sniffing was definitely part of their getting acquainted process.
It is easy to understand why cats rely so much on their sniffing capabilities when you understand how great those sniffing capabilities are.
The prestigious Merriam-Webster dictionary provides this definition of olfactory: “of or relating to the sense of smell”.
Cats are olfactory superstars. Not as good as dogs, but still really good. Read on to see just how good.
The Catnip newsletter, published by the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine , informs that cats may have as many as 200 million odor sensors in their nose, while a human nose may have as many as 5 million.
And additionally, cats have a sensor in the roof of their mouth known as the vomeronasal organ, which is also referred to as the Jacobsen’s organ.
This vomeronasal organ can be used by a cat to detect pheromones, which Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as: “a chemical substance that is usually produced by an animal and serves as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses”.
Our cats are detecting odors that we are not even aware of. With that level of smelling ability, no wonder they depend so much on their sense of smell.
6 Ways Cats Use Their Sense of Smell
1. Why Does My Cat Sniff Me?
Should you be relaxing in a chair or in bed and your cat decides to join you, they may give you a sniff.
Perhaps your cat smells you to make sure it is you.
If your cat approaches you but seems hesitant, slowly extend your hand and let them smell it. Hopefully they will recognize you.
Then you can feel good about the fact they are happy it is you.
2. Why Does My Cat Sniff My Shoes?
When you come home to your cat, your shoes may be subjected to the smell test. Maybe they want to know what you have been walking on and what other animals you have been around. They might also smell your feet and your legs.
If they detect you have been with other animals, they may get a little jealous.
You may want to remove your shoes so as not to walk around spreading strange smells in the house.
3. Why Does My Cat Sniff Stuff I Bring Home?
Cats often explore with their nose. They use it as an investigative tool.
If you have brought home a box of goods or a bag of groceries, they may want to smell those things. Anything new in the house must be analyzed.
They are curious in nature. They want to know.
I do not believe cats can read, but I’m telling you whenever we got a box that had the logo of the pet food company Chewy on it, that really got everyone’s attention.
4. Does My Cat Smell Another Cat’s Urine?
Urine spraying may represent scent communication by your cat.
An article published by the ASPCA describes two types of cat urine spraying:
Spraying to mark with scent. This is typically done with your cat backing up to a vertical surface to spray while holding its tail erect and fluttering its rear end. A kitty who is marking may continue to also use the litter box. The marking urine will contain chemicals that give it a strong distinctive odor.
Urinating outside the litter box but not for marking. Your cat will typically stand or squat to urinate just as they would in the litter box. The cat may do this because it does not approve of the litter box provided. Illness or injury could be a possible cause, and if this is suspected, please consult your veterinarian.
The marking urination is probably intended to provide information or send a message, so yes I cats can smell another cat’s urine.
By the way, to perhaps distract your pet from thinking about any need to indulge in urinary marking activity, consider providing your cat with scratching posts, cat trees, and toys to keep them busy.
How to Choose a Cat Tree , which includes tips on scratching posts, and How to Choose Cat Toys , are blog posts I wrote that you may find helpful.
5. Why Does My Cat Sniff the Behind of Another Cat?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a cat has glandular sacs located on both sides of the anus.
A study published in the Journal of Ethology informs that these glands produce organic chemicals that provide information to the sniffing cat. The report puts forward that these organic chemicals identify the cat being sniffed.
Apparently the sniffing cat is making sure who the other cat is.
This rear-end sniffing seems to be an activity common in the world of cats. It is probably not cause for concern unless other conditions are observed that indicate there may be a problem.
I have noticed that sometimes the smeller cat can be a little too persistent and annoys the cat being smelled. If I was nearby I would gently interrupt the goings on, and there never seemed to be any resentment about it.
6. Why Does My Cat Sniff My Food?
When you bring out some food, you are introducing something new into your cat’s environment. They may feel it is their duty to check it out.
An article by International Cat Care informs us that cats evolved as an opportunistic predator who typically ate several small meals several times a day.
It could be that food on the counter or table looks like an opportunity to your cat. Your cat will probably sniff it, then commence to having some of it.
Remember the old joke: “I am on a seafood diet. I see food, I eat it.”
With cats it should be: “I see food, I smell food, I decide whether or not to eat it”.
Something to Think About
“Cats do not go for a walk to get somewhere, but to explore.” Sidney Denham, author
“And their nose is the first body part to get there.” Joe Marino, author of this blog
For More Information
Be sure to visit my blog post Learn About Cats