All of our pets have their own habits. The cat is no exception. This domesticated cat has the peculiarity of purring. but that is not all ! Sometimes he can spend long minutes kneading your tummy, a pillow, or even a blanket. Cats’ habits don’t stop there. They love to smell our face. but why ? A sign of affection, curiosity, pheromones … Here are several explanations.
The cat’s sense of smell
Before we explain why your cat sniffs your face, we’ll focus on the sense of smell. The sense of smell is an important sense for a cat, moreover, he uses it every day. The sense of smell is essential to its survival. Thanks to its nose, the cat perceives information and communicates. His sense of smell also allows him to recognize a female in heat, danger, enemy or prey.
You should know that a cat’s sense of smell is more developed than that of a dog, which is already very strong. It’s of course more developed than our sense of smell, guys. Thanks to the mucus secreted by truffles, the cat perceives that smells up to 100 times better than us. Here are some pointers for a better understanding.
- A cat has approximately 200 million olfactory cells,
- The dog has 150 million,
- The man has only 5 million.
The human nose is highly developed. This is also the case with the cat’s nose. In cats, smell is directly related to taste. That is why this meaning is necessary for the cat’s survival. The animal takes the time to smell the dishes and objects in its environment, to know if it can eat them completely safely. If the smell is too unpleasant for him, or doesn’t inspire confidence, he walks away.
Cat truffle discovery
A cat’s nose contains a large number of glands called Bowman’s glands. Their role is to produce secretions. This mucus covers the cat’s nose and improves its olfactory abilities. So don’t worry if your cat’s nose is wet, it doesn’t mean he’s sick. When a cat’s nose is wet, this means that the animal is using its senses to pick up a pleasant scent. This is the case if he wants to eat or if he is looking for you at home. When your cat sleeps or spends time at home, it does not use its sense of smell. So his nose is dry.
In addition to Bowman’s glands, the cat’s nose houses the Jacobson organ. Also called the nasal vomeric system, it is located in the roof of the palate and more specifically in the nasopharyngeal canal of a cat. This organ concentrates scents in two small pockets in the nasal cavities. This process allows cats to analyze the scent. To achieve this, he curls up his cut slightly and opens his mouth. This is called fluorescence.
Why does my cat smell my face?
Your cat adopts an innate behavior
If your cat sniffs your face, it’s because he’s following his instincts. He had this habit since he was born. In fact, kittens are born blind. They open their eyes after a week of life and begin to perceive their surroundings after three weeks. Unlike sight, the sense of smell develops from birth. So cats use this meaning to find their mother. To identify him, they sniffed his face. Then they maintain this habit throughout their lives, including with their masters.
Your cat is looking for pheromones
Once he has access to it, your cat is happy to sniff your face. Rest assured, this situation is completely normal. Since you are his master, and even if you live in the house, you live on his land, your cat is used to depositing pheromones on you. A cat can produce different types of pheromones.
- Regional pheromones Emitted under the influence of passion and sometimes excitement. They are produced and released by the urinary tract of cats, for example, when an unknown animal or person enters their territory.
- Alarm pheromones The cat emits in a state of stress, anxiety or fear. They are produced by bandages and the anus. It is these pheromones found in veterinarians that explain the great fear of cats.
- identify pheromones Emitted from the cheeks of the cat. These are the things your pet looks for when they smell your face. They serve him to mark his territory and get luxury.
Pheromones are released by two types of glands: sweat glands and sebaceous glands. They are located at the level of the head, between the eyes, between the ears and around the mouth of the animal. Other glands on your pet’s body are found in the wings, pads, and genitals. Like hormones, pheromones are odorless and imperceptible chemicals to humans. They send signals that can only be understood by individuals of the same species.
When your cat smells your face, it is looking for pheromones. If there is not enough, he will rub his head against your head to add more.
Your cat shows you his love
The cat who smells his master’s face is definitely close to him. So rest assured if your cat has made this habit. As we just saw, it checks for the presence of pheromones and adds some. Sometimes he takes the opportunity to stick his nose in your nose or hit your head. All of these signs are indicative of his affection. We strongly recommend that you do not reject your companion when he adopts this behavior.
To show you his affection, your cat may also purr, bite, show her belly, lick you, sleep against you, and even give you gifts. These take the form of dead or injured animals that they have hunted.
Your cat smells a certain smell
Sometimes your cat may sniff your face because it smells so unusual. Perhaps you ate something he particularly liked, such as butter, meat, or fish. Know that your cat can also be attracted by a scent that he is trying to identify. So he can smell your face if you eat something strong like garlic or onions. If you haven’t eaten anything and your cat seems bothered by your breath, it’s possible that your toothpaste is bothering him or your oral hygiene needs to be revised. In this latter case, make an appointment with your dentist!
Your cat has great confidence in you
Cats smell a lot throughout the day. Also, don’t be surprised if he smells you. A happy and well-treated cat tends to sniff out its masters while they sleep. He is confident and feels safe. Cats can act by imitation. Also, if you sleep on your back, then he understands that you are close to him, who puts himself on his back to receive caresses.
How do you take care of your cat’s nose?
As you will understand, the sense of smell is an essential sense for a cat’s survival and well-being. This is why it is highly recommended to take care of this sense and then take care of your animal’s nose for the rest of its life.
Even if the cats are clean and spend many hours cleaning themselves, they may find it difficult to wash the muzzles. However, this part of the body is like filters that can become clogged. A cat’s muzzle can become clogged with dust. It needs cleaning. The cat’s nose is cleaned gently and calmly. Take a cotton swab and serum and continue the treatment. If the discharge has an abnormal color or odor, make an appointment with your veterinarian. He or she will prescribe appropriate treatment if necessary. The use of products not intended for animals should be prohibited. The same applies to the cotton swab.
Truffles should be cleaned at an early age. Thus, the cat gets used to it and lets it go. In addition, he will enjoy his sense of smell for as long as possible. Indeed, as he gets older, the cat gradually loses the use of his senses.