Cats have an incredible olfactory system that’s around 14 times more sensitive than ours. Aside from an additional organ, the Jacobson’s organ, that helps them sniff out potential mates and dangers from miles away, our felines have between 45 and 80 million scent receptors in their noses. For context, humans have around 5 million!
With such a heightened sense of smell, it’s no wonder our cats use their nose to discover everything they can about their surroundings. However, making discoveries isn’t the only reason your cat suddenly sniffs everything. Keep reading to learn more!
The 6 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Sniffing Everything
1. Claiming New Furniture or Objects
If you’ve brought a new object (such as a new piece of furniture) into your home, your cat will probably start sniffing it. They do this to discover more about the unfamiliar object, searching for clues as to whether it belongs to another cat, what it’s made from, and if it’s safe.
After thoroughly sniffing, your cat may rub their face on it to impart their pheromones and claim the object as theirs. Over the next few days, you may see them occasionally going to the same object, sniffing, and renewing their “claim.”
The unfamiliar object in question doesn’t have to be large or obvious. For example, it could be a blanket your cat hasn’t seen or a coat you haven’t worn for a few months.
2. Monitoring Their Territory
Male and female cats are territorial creatures, and while they may not go around screaming at everybody who passes by your house, they instinctively need to be aware of the unfamiliar animals and people.
With this in mind, if you’ve brought a new scent home, they may begin sniffing excessively, trying to determine if their territory is threatened. This may even trigger a more thorough investigation around your home, with your cat sniffing everyday objects and areas before re-applying their scent.
This will be especially noticeable if you’ve been near other animals, especially cats. But more often than not, we pick up unfamiliar scents without even realizing it. Cats, with their supercharged noses, can identify them.
3. A New Visitor
Just as you bring new scents into your home, a visitor can do the same. Similarly, if you’ve recently hired a new cleaner, brought home a new pet, or have somebody staying over, your cat will need time to investigate the new scents.
If your cat picks up the scent of another animal through your visitors, they may begin remapping their territory by sniffing objects and reapplying their scent.
4. They Smell Food
Though it may seem obvious, if your cat can smell food but can’t see it, they may begin sniffing everywhere as they search for it.
This goes for prey, too. We don’t need to tell you that cats are excellent hunters; you’ve probably seen your kitty perform all kinds of gravity-defying leaps when playing. If your cat thinks they can smell prey, for example, a rodent, they won’t give up sniffing until they find it!
Often, when this happens, the rodent (or other prey) is hidden behind walls, in cavities, basements, and attics, and while their humans are blissfully unaware, a cat’s senses will kick into overdrive.
5. Sniffing for a Mate
Using their vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson’s organ, cats can sense the pheromones of other cats and determine their reproductive status.
If you have a male cat, and someone has brought home the scent of a female cat, your furry friend may be sniffing around to learn more about the mystery suitor. Specifically, he’ll be trying to determine if she would be a suitable mate and, of course, where she might be located.
6. Your Cat Is Just Communicating
Cats use sniffing to receive communications. From understanding another animal’s boundaries to checking on another’s health, cats understand a lot just by sniffing. For example, if you’ve been sick, you’ll emit new scents. The same goes for another cat in your house that might be unwell.
Sometimes, a gentle sniff of your hands or shins is your cat’s way of saying hello. Other times, they could be expecting you to feed them, or they could just be asking for a hug!
Understanding these subtle gestures can take time and patience, but in the end, you’ll have a stronger bond with your pet.
Why Is My Cat Sniffing and Acting Weird?
Although sniffing is perfectly normal feline behavior, a sudden change in your cat’s mood and daily habits may be a warning sign.
If your cat is sick, they can display some of the behaviors that owners often refer to as “weird”:
- Not eating or drinking
- Eating more than usual
- Suddenly drinking more
- Vocalizing more, or a change in how their vocalization sounds
- Not using the litter box correctly
- Becoming clumsy/having trouble with jumping
- Hiding
As your cat’s owner, you should be able to spot abnormal behavior quickly. If you’re concerned, contact a veterinarian and schedule an appointment.
Why Is My Cat Sniffing the Air?
Using their Jacobson’s organ, cats can “taste the air” for pheromones, gathering much-needed information about their rivals, potential mates, and prey.
Cats capture this information through the flehmen response. Next time you catch your cat with their chin tilted up and mouth slightly agape, you’ll know they’re just catching up on the day’s happenings.
Conclusion
If you notice other changes in your cat’s behavior aside from unusual sniffing, it may be best to contact a veterinarian in case there’s an underlying issue.
Usually, though, cats sniff for various reasons, from discovery to hunting and mating. If your cat has suddenly started sniffing more but otherwise seems fine, they may just be investigating a new and unfamiliar scent.
Featured Image Credit: milivigerova, Pixabay
3 Responses
Thank You great explanation of why my cats are acting weird.
Patricia B.
Hello Patricia,
thank you very much for a lovely feedback! We are always happy to see that our articles helped some pet parents and their pets. We always strive to provide our readers with the most helpful content.
Hopefully, your kitties will get better soon!
Best of luck to all of you.
Thank You!!