Favorite Scents for Cats: A Guide by Katie Koschalk, Reviewed by Emily Oliver, CVT on August 30, 2024 and Published on August 7, 2023.

Favorite Scents for Cats: A Guide by Katie Koschalk, Reviewed by Emily Oliver, CVT on August 30, 2024 and Published on August 7, 2023.

Cats, despite their adorable, diminutive noses, possess a powerful olfactory sense, approximately 14 times stronger than humans (1). This extraordinary ability enables them to discern a wide range of scents and reveals their keen preference for certain aromas.

Possible odors that repel cats, such as citrus or soiled litter boxes, may be familiar to pet owners (2). However, what attracts cats is less clear. To shed light on this topic, we've compiled a list of eight scents that most felines find hard to resist. To understand why cats respond to these aromas, let's delve into their remarkable sense of smell and its significance in their lives.

The Catalyst: Feline Olfaction

Cats boast an exceptionally sharp sense of smell, with around 50 to 80 million odor-sensitive cells (3). In contrast, humans possess just 5 million. Furthermore, their unique anatomy includes a vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ, located in the upper palate, which allows for the tasting and smelling of certain pheromones (4). This organ enhances their already impressive scent detection abilities.

Cats rely on their superior sense of smell to interpret their environment, identify fellow felines, choose food, and detect potential threats like predators or toxins. This heightened reliance on scent reflects their evolutionary past as wild predators.

Arousing the Feline Level: Why Cats Love Certain Smells

Many of the scents cats are drawn to cater to their basic needs, such as food and safety (5). Cats have relatively few taste buds compared to humans-about 470, as opposed to 10,000 for humans-so they rely more on their sense of smell when deciding what to eat (3).

Pheromones, scentless chemicals produced by animals for communication, also play a crucial role in shaping cats' scent preferences. These substances have profound effects on animal behavior, and scents that mimic pheromones can be appealing to cats.

When a cat is attracted to a smell, they may rub their face against the source, roll over it, purr, try to eat it, or exhibit the flehmen response, a peculiar open-mouthed grimace that intensifies odor perception. Conversely, if a cat dislikes a scent, they may retreat, run away, or display signs of displeasure, such as wrinkling their nose or shaking their head.

Although there are some scents that most cats find appealing, individual variations in scent preferences mirror the preferences of humans.

A Symphony of Scents: 8 Aromas That Delight Felines

Understanding a cat's scent preferences can contribute significantly to their indoor environment and overall well-being. By providing appealing, safe, and enriching smells, we can help promote curiosity, stimulate engagement, and meet their instinctual needs.

Let's explore eight aromas that cats generally find irresistible.

1. Catnip

Catnip, an herb from the mint family, is renowned for its intoxicating effect on many cats. The euphoria induced by catnip is caused by nepetalactone, a compound that may mimic the structure of a feline pheromone associated with mating behaviors (6).

When cats encounter nepetalactone, it enters their nasal tissue and binds to receptors that stimulate sensory neurons in the brain, creating a harmless "high" lasting 5 to 15 minutes. Interestingly, not all cats react to the effects of catnip (7).

2. Valerian Root

Much like catnip, valerian root produces a euphoric effect in most cats, followed by calmness and drowsiness. The active compound in valerian root, actinidine, is thought to stimulate the same receptors in the cat's brain that respond to feline pheromones (8).

Only use cat toys or a small amount of finely minced, dried valerian root for your cat; never give them human valerian root supplements.

3. Vanilla

Many cats seem attracted to the vanilla scent, as it is incorporated into several cat supplements and medications. For example, Credelio CAT, a flea and tick treatment for cats, features vanilla to entice finicky felines. In a U.S. field study, nearly 47 percent of the cats voluntarily accepted the vanilla-flavored tablets (9).

4. Yeast

Cats are drawn to the scent of yeast, which can be found in bread. Studies have demonstrated that cats prefer bread with yeast added (10). Although small amounts of baked bread can be shared with cats, it should not form a regular part of their diet.

Credelio CAT also incorporates yeast into its tablets to further attract our whiskered companions.

5. Silver Vine

Silver vine, a plant native to Japan and China, appeals to cats due to its captivating scent. The smell of silver vine induces a similar response to catnip in many cats (11).

6. Olives

Some cats enjoy the aroma of olives, which may be attributed to the isoprenoids found in olives, chemicals that resemble the nepetalactone in catnip (12). If your cat appreciates the scent of olives, they may also enjoy tasting them (without the pit).

7. Animal Protein

Meat or fish scents are particularly appealing to cats because they are obligate carnivores, requiring meat for their nutritional needs. These scents can stimulate various behaviors, such as lip licking, meowing, or increased alertness.

8. You

Cats seem particularly fond of their human companions' scent. According to Stephen Quandt, a certified feline training and behavior specialist, cats create community scent by transferring their scent to objects and people, which helps them feel secure.

Harnessing Scent to Enhance Feline Lives

Knowing which scents your cat enjoys can lead to considerable improvements in their quality of life and health. Here's how you can harness scent to create a more comfortable environment for your feline friend.

• Create a safe, inviting living space – Scents can help cats feel more comfortable in specific situations. For instance, placing an unwashed article of clothing in a cat carrier can help reassure them during travel to the vet. Placing a beloved scent on a new bed or carrier can encourage exploration and reduce stress.
• Assist with medication administration – Some medications, such as Credelio CAT, have flavors or scents that make administering them easier for cats.
• Boost enrichment – Scents like catnip, silver vine, or valerian root can be used to stimulate play and exercise, which are essential for your cat's physical and mental well-being. Sprinkling these enticing aromas on toys or scratching posts can encourage engagement, reduce boredom, and potentially minimise behavioral issues like inappropriate scratching.
• Facilitate training – Scents that appeal to cats can be used in positive reinforcement scenarios for training purposes. Offer rewards like a catnip-sprayed toy or a tasty salmon treat during successful training sessions.

Decoding Your Feline's Scent Preferences: How to Help Your Cat Have Positive Experiences with Scent

Discovering your cat's scent preferences can be an enjoyable exploration. Here's how to decipher their favorites:

• Conduct a "sniff" test – Present your cat with various scents, one at a time, and observe their behavior. Responses like purring, cheek rubbing, kneading, or rolling around may indicate that your cat likes the smell. Signs of dislike might include hissing, backing away, shaking their head, gagging, or appearing agitated. Do not force scents on your cat, and always give them the option to retreat.
• Monitor changes – Cat preferences can change as they age or experience health issues. Regularly retesting your cat's favorite scents can help you keep track of their preferences.
• Use common sense – Just because your cat is drawn to a smell doesn't mean it's safe or beneficial for them. For instance, some cats may be attracted to the scent of substances like antifreeze or lilies, but these are highly toxic and potentially deadly if ingested (13). Always prioritize your cat's safety and consult a professional if necessary.
• Limit potent scents – Intense scents like catnip and silver vine should be used in moderation, as excessive exposure can desensitize cats to their effects.
• Seek vet advice – If your cat suddenly becomes repelled by a previously enjoyed scent or displays unusual behaviors, it could indicate a health issue. Always consult your veterinarian if you're concerned about your cat's scent preferences.

By understanding your cat's scent preferences and using that knowledge effectively, you can help make their world a more pleasurable and fulfilling place.

References

1. Ahmet Yavuz Pekel, Serkan Barış Mülazımoğlu & Nüket Acar (2020) Taste preferences and diet palatability in cats, Journal of Applied Animal Research, 48:1, 281-292, DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2020.1786391
2. Douglas, Kate. (2009). The great pet showdown. New Scientist. 204. 32-37. 10.1016/S0262-4079(09)63262-0.
3. Bol, S., Caspers, J., Buckingham, L. et al. Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC Vet Res 13, 70 (2017). doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0987-6
4. Wright I. (2018). Lotilaner - a novel formulation for cats provides systemic tick and flea control. Parasites & vectors, 11(1), 407. doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2970-x
5. Chappell, K., Paarlberg, T., Seewald, W. et al. A randomized, controlled field study to assess the efficacy and safety of lotilaner flavored chewable tablets (CredelioTM CAT) in eliminating fleas in client-owned cats in the USA. Parasites Vectors 14, 127 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04617-5
6. Oliveira, Rúbia & Haese, Douglas & Kill, João & Lima, Anderson & Malini, Pablo & Thompson, Guilherme. (2016). Palatability of cat food with sodium pyrophosphate and yeast extract. Ciência Rural. 46. 2202-2205. 10.1590/0103-8478cr20151651.
7. Around one in three cats lack sensitivity to catnip (ASPCA)
8. Valerian root causes initial hyperactivity, followed by calming effects in cats (ISFM)
9. Credelio Cat: Code Blue: Part 1 – Why Cats Hate the Vet (2017)
10. Cats Prefer Bread with Yeast (2020)
11. Silver vine is more likely to affect cats than catnip (Bol et al., 2017)
12. Olives contain isoprenoids, similar to the nepetalactone in catnip (Quandt, 2020)
13. Common household toxins dangerous to cats (ASPCA)

Cats' keen sense of smell enables them to prefer certain scents, which might be understandable as we take into account their home-and-garden preferences (8). Some odors that attract cats include catnip, vanilla, yeast, silver vine, olives, animal protein, and your own unique scent (5, 9-11, 13). Understanding your cat's scent preferences can improve their lifestyle and overall well-being (1).

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