When it comes to aroma, we often think of how important it is for dogs, but most people do not consider their importance for cats. Like dogs, the sense of a cat smell is very important in his daily life, which influences everything, from his sense of security to his curiosity.

The meaning of a cat smell

Do you ever wonder what makes the meaning of a cat smell so powerful? Cats not only have about 200 million olfactory cells in the nose, but also have special adaptations that make their sense of smell exceptional.

• The organ of Jacobson: This organ is made up of 2 bags that sit at the top of the back of the mouth. It is connected to both the nose and the mouth. When a cat breathes an aroma, open its mouth slightly to pull the aroma and move its tongue to the roof of its mouth. This sends the aroma to the organ of Jacobson where the aroma and information are sent to your brain.

• Flehman reaction: We have all seen cats lift an aroma and sit there partially open while processing the aroma. What we are observing is known as Flehman’s reaction. During the reaction, what we could not notice is that the cat breathes quickly, which accelerates the aroma process that is sent to the Jacobson organ. This allows the cat to quickly identify the aroma and respond according to their instincts.

The pheromones speak

In the world of a cat, they use pheromones to communicate everything, from marking their territory to forming mother and kitten ties and even marking their humans. Maybe he wonders, what is exactly a pheromone? A pheromone is a chemist that is released by a cat through the glands located throughout his body and helps communicate with other cats and the environment in which they live.

• Cats have glands on the forehead, chin, lips and lower part of their front legs that produce pheromones. When a cat touched your head, rub your cheek, press your lips against your finger or knead you, you are leaving your aroma behind. This is his way of marking you as part of his group.

• You can notice a cat rubbing the head and body along the objects of your home or patio. This is how they marks those areas as their territory, and the pheromones that leave behind communicate this to other cats. Similarly, when a cat scratches objects such as furniture or a scraper, it is not only preparing its claws, but also marks the area with its aroma.

How can the enriching smell?

Not only can the smell of communication be used, but it can also provide mental enrichment for a cat, especially those who live inside. It is always important to provide daily enrichment for your cats, but you may not have considered the enrichment of smell. Here are some ideas to incorporate the aroma into your cat’s enrichment routine:

• Catnip: Most people have offered their cat grass, but they never realized that it is enrichment. Instead of placing the cat grass in front of your cat, you can hide the cat grass in areas of the whole house so that your cat will find it, which can be exciting and stimulating for your cat.

• Smell enrichment kit: You can buy an aroma enrichment kit that is full of safe botanists for your cat to enjoy. By placing a small amount of a few types in bowls, you can offer your cat a smell enrichment buffet.

• Bring outdoors inside: Collect plants, sticks, grass, flowers and safe cats for cats and put it in a shallow cardboard box for your cat to explore. Each element not only has its own aroma, but the aroma of the outdoors adds an additional impulse of stimulation.

Understanding how the meaning of a cat’s smell works can help us take care of them better and provide an environment that stimulates their natural instincts. Incorporating aroma enrichment in your cat’s routine can offer new levels of mental stimulation and joy. By taking advantage of the power of the aroma, you can improve your cat’s quality of life and strengthen the link you share with them.

A new study reveals the true reason why cats scratch furniture, and what to do about it

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A new study published in the magazine Veterinary borders Science It reveals secret motivations behind scratch and suggests friendly forms to handle behavior.

The study reveals secret motivations behind scratching

“Our findings can help caregivers administer and redirect scratch to appropriate materials, which could It helps to promote A more harmonious Life environment For both cats and Your caregivers, “he says Dr. Jasmine Sall it Demíbbas, a veterinarian researcher in Universidad de Ankara and author of The study.

The researchers surveyed more than 1,200 cat owners in France about the daily habits of their cats, personality traits and scratch behaviors. What they discovered were significant links Between scratch behavior and factors such as the presence of children at home, cat temperament and activity levels.

“We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and greater scratch behavior in cats “.

Environmental and behavioral factors to search if your cat scratches furniture

“We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and greater scratch behavior In cats, ”explains Dr. Salgirli Demirbas. “Specifically, the presence of children at home, as well as high levels of play and night activity contributes significantly to an increase in scratches. The cats described as aggressive or disruptive also exhibited higher levels of scratch. ” Stress, such as that caused by young children in he home, was found to be to major cause of unwanted Scratched He study also found that cats that exhibited high level of play and night activity lined further.

Photo Natalia Duryagina/Bigstock

Adapting game sessions and strategically placing scratch posts can help reduce and redirect your Cat is scratching.

What to do: How to make your cat stop scratching furniture

Good news is There are strategies that It can help stop behavior.

Aim to provide multiple scratch publications in Your cat favorite areas (generally indicated by Where they They are already scratch). Reduce Your cat stress by provided that vertical space and hiding place they It can withdraw to. Feromone aerosols and diffuser have It has been shown to promote calm. AND play sessions aid Your cat spend Energy, alone Be sure to leave Your cat Catch your “dam” To avoid creating frustration. Multiple shorts play sessions throughout The day that mock successful Hunting scenarios They are the best, according to SALUGE AMIRBAS SALUGE.

Although the link Among children and the increase in scratches is It is not totally understood, realizing this as a possible cause of stress and providing your cat for ways to escape unwanted care can help save your furniture!

This article originally appeared on the award -winning Modern cat magazine. Subscribe today!

Have you ever heard of a drug ring in the black market … for cats? Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, has long been a devastating diagnosis, leading cat owners throughout the world to resort to undercover methods in the desperate search for a cure. Unique us in this revealing episode of Cat Talk Radio while Dr. Lisa Fiorenza unpacks the surprising underground network that helped give hope to thousands of cats affected by FIP. We will immerse ourselves in how this furtive disease is triggered, what symptoms to observe and how FIP is treated today with legitimate advances and saviors. Do not miss this revealing conversation about a disease that is finally losing its control in the feline world!