Our cats interact with us in all kinds of ways that we might find bizarre but are actually quite normal to them. When it comes to smelling our breath, this might be something we humans deem disgusting, but it can tell our cats a lot about us.
A cat smelling your breath is just another method of communication, and sometimes they’re trying to get more information about you. In this article, we will explore a few reasons why a cat might smell your breath so that you can better understand your feline’s behavior.
The 5 Likely Reasons Why Cats Smell Our Breath
1. They’re Inspecting a New Smell
Cats have a sense of smell that is roughly 14 times stronger than humans. Your breath can send lots of messages! They could simply be curious and lean in to get a better whiff.
2. Your Cat Might Sense an Illness or Disease
Dogs typically get all the credit in this area, but cats can be adept at sensing illnesses in humans, too. When our bodies are stricken with illness, certain chemicals are released that cats can pick up on. Unlike dogs, cats might not have specialized training to warn people when there’s an issue, but they can definitely notice the change and might smell your breath more often as a result.
Don’t let this scare you, of course! That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have some type of life-threatening disease. But it can indicate a bigger problem—so if you’re feeling otherwise symptomatic or are late for your annual checkup, it might be time to make an appointment with your general practitioner.
3. Your Cat Smell Food on Your Breath
Most kitties are voracious eaters—always crying for more, even if they just finished a meal. Did you just get done eating a delicious, greasy cheeseburger? Or maybe you’ve had some yummy fried chicken that tickles their senses.
Scientists think cats can smell food up to 150 feet away! Your cats can certainly detect the smell of food in your mouth, and they might just want to take in all of the different aromas. This is perfectly normal, though they might wonder why you didn’t share.
4. Recognition
Even though your breath can change with the foods you ate last, some undertones may remain the same. While cats can rely on their sight and the smell of your body to recognize their people, smelling their breath may be a way of definitively identifying you and recognizing you as part of their clan.
5. Attention
Nothing says “look at me” more than a cat right in your face. When a cat is really craving your attention, being in your face and smelling your breath is a great way to get just that. Also, the feeling of your breath on them can mimic the calm and connection they felt when they were kittens close to their mother and help to further increase your bond.
Conclusion
Cats learn about us in a variety of ways. Our breath tells a story we might not realize. So, the bottom line is that your cat is getting a better understanding of you—whether it be what you ate, recognition, or otherwise.
There might not be any clear indicator of why your cat is smelling your breath. It could be a combination of things. However, these are possible reasons—and the rest is up for you to interpret.
See also:
- Why Does My Cat Lick Me? 7 Possible Reasons
- 11 Smells That Cats Love & Some They Don’t!
- Why Do Cats Open Their Mouth When They Smell: 10 Interesting Reasons
- Why Do Cats Smell Each Other’s Butts: 6 Reasons
Featured Image Credit: JumpStory
