So much so, that currently such plants are used in cats and other animals for therapeutic purposes, such as dealing with insomnia, stress or anxiety. Chlorine seems to have a drug-like effect on cats, much like catnip. If you live in a multi-cat household, you've probably seen it: One cat heaves up her meal, and before you can even say "Aww, hell no," the cleanup crew sweeps in to take . This makes the smell of meat much more attractive to them. Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Thus, cats that are attracted by them show the same symptoms described in the section dedicated to catnip, activation, and mental stimulation. My kitty loves the smell of lavender smelling litter. Yes, I know cats and dogs taste foods differently than humans do. However, to many this is a smell that cats hate. I bet its one of the best loved kitty smells but no talks about cause it feels like admitting to being stinky when really it means we have good pheromones. This means it may help to relieve symptoms caused by conjunctivitis, for example, or a particular allergy. While most cats are fastidious bathers, they also walk in the litter box and then prance . Isn't that neat? This is probably the smell that first comes to mind when you think of popular cat scents. In this way, we can say that the scent given off by this plant represents one of the scents that relaxes cats. My mom has had several cats and never seen this before. My cat Andy really loves carrot breath. . When cats react to bleach in this way, theyre showing us that they feel stimulated, and they love it. I mean, we love them, but at times they do things that makes us wonder whats really going on in those little fur-covered brains. Even worse? This is because the catnip response is genetic and some simply don't have the DNA to be able to appreciate it[1]. What Animal am I According to my Zodiac Sign? Contact Joan Morris at jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com or 1700 Cavallo Road, Antioch, CA 94509. My 12-year-old cat, Sid, has always liked to sleep with his face in my shoes. Many cats love catnip and will run around, jump, pounce and wrestle in response to it. Water. She also writes about gardening and is the founder of Our Garden, a demonstration garden in Walnut Creek. Providing the world with the knowledge on ethical pet ownership is her lifelong dream. Nevertheless, chlorine gas is dangerous. In addition, cats can experience bad breath from an inflammatory oral health condition called ' stomatitis. Vote. A lavender sachet or spray can help keep your cat away from rooms you dont want him in, such as laundry rooms and guest bedrooms. May 22, 2007. They didnt lick them or try to eat them, just whiff them. Catnip, part of the mint family, affects many cats with a scent-induced kitty "high.". Now, she is excited to share her hard-earned knowledge (literally--she has scars) with our readers. So keep yourself and your pet safe and healthy by using a bleach alternative. "Cats have to eat meat," she says. If they are really smelly and sweaty, he rolls around on them as if they are catnip. I could have been slightly handling one 10-15 minutes ago, and she will sniff my hands and roll around on the ground like she had catnip. Barbara Sherman, of North Carolina States College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, added that even declawed cats will scratch, and that this characteristic behavior may have to do with stretching and conditioning their limbs., "Its usually done after a nap, so often we try to put a scratching post for a cat near their resting site, she said. Cats are wonderful pets with many unique personality traits, but theyre not perfectand neither are we humans. But let's dive a little deeper into why cats hate oranges. Honeysuckle is part of the popular Bach flowers and, as such, they act on the cat's body exerting a powerful soothing and calming effect. Some may have the opposite effect and we'll also explain why. Recently I printed a letter from a woman who had been attacked by her cat after applying a healthy amount of Icy Hot liniment on her aching muscles. She also keeps hamsters and a tarantula. Fresh work best, but even the dried form may inspire kitty love. Why is that? '. You must give both cats the same amount of attention, so neither gets jealous. Heres why each season begins twice. I had cats who do this with discarded undies. This probably isn't true for all cats, though. In fact, cats have an even stronger sense of smell than many dog breeds do. Moreover, those reactions could be different, even though the response looks similar. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. However, many cats love the smells of carrots, sometimes even more than they like catnip. Yes, carrots are safe for cats to eat. Most cats are attracted to chemicals that mimic pheromone smells, such as bleach and ammonia. An excellent example of genetic heritance comes from Asian cats like Burmese and Tonkinese kitties, who are more likely to exhibit signs of PIKA. Cats are carnivorous creatures with an extremely powerful sense of smell (up to 16 times stronger than humans) so it should come as no surprise that the powerful citrus smell of an orange is completely unappealing to the senses of your meat-eating cat. Keeping lavender plants around your home can also keep him out of problem areas in general. In this way, it is possible that a feline adores the smell that thyme gives but rejects lavender completely. In this way, when a cat smells the aroma given off by catnip they tend to rub against it, lick it, eat it, show unusual behavior (such as jumping) and even hunt non-existent animals. She loves to roll in clothing that just came out of the dryer or a bathtub wiped down with bleach. Catnip is a member of the mint family and contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which is known to be attractive to cats. If you have any suggestions on topics that you would like us to cover, let us know. Plenty of cat owners make the mistake of cleaning cat boxes, among other household surfaces with bleach. Meowing at humans is partially a learned behavior. The reason is that many people don't realise that just because a cat likes the smell, it doesn't mean they will eat it. Its a convenience but never a necessity. If your cat smells like urine, it's important to see the vet to determine the cause. Elizabeth spent more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse before stepping away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. It will clean up pet messes and remove the bleach smell from your home. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. This is because cats rely on their sense of smell much more than we do. Why do cats like the smell of bleach? Second I put my glass down he goes after it but nothing else. A sense of smell helps cats instantly analyze their surroundings. Because cats often experience odors more intensely than humans do, they don't always perceive scentsgood or badthe same way. You might hate the smell as much as the local cats do; If either of these is an issue for you, you could try some of the other scents that cats hate instead. To do so, you should ideally use the essential oil of thyme or purchase this aromatic plant. Cat smells the slightest hint of carrots and rolls around on the ground like she huffed catnip. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. One of my cats has an extremely strong reaction to the smell of carrots. Sometimes good science means not having an answer because getting there would be wrong. In order to save your sills, provide the cat with an alternative, like a scratching post, that she will like and use (it might take a few tries). "Volatiles derived from amino acids are major contributors to melon aroma." This sentence from a research study on melon volatiles may hold the key to why so many cats love cantaloupe. (Learn about National Geographics Little Kitties for Big Cats initiative.). New AI may pass the famed Turing test. In any case, they are healthier than many packaged cat treats, which are like junk food for kitties. I read that lavender is toxic to cats and can actually kill them. What this tells us is that certain breeds are more susceptible to different reactions. Why is that? He has no interest in eating the carrots, and rarely ever licks it at all. Just like humans love the the smell of certain foods, there are some things cats can't get enough of either. It is important the cat is not able to ingest the flowers or leaves. Warning Veterinary nurse Helen Crofts explains why cats turn their noses up at oranges and lemons. The smells that cats hate are not just random unpleasant smells but also those that convey danger. This is because their smell is so powerful that this citrus smell is many times stronger to them than us. Privacy Policy. Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats . Since the chlorine in bleach can release pheromones, your cat might think this abnormal smell in their territory is an intruder. Lavender is perhaps best known for its ability to calm people down. 3 minutes. Once that need is met, then cover the doorsills with double-sided sticky tape or a similar product. A small quantity of cooked carrot can actually be good for cats on occasion. They can detect odors from a mile away. Its an unhealthy love, and no good can come of it. Cats do not like essential oils. When does spring start? You Might Be Surprised! Even something as innocent as an everyday cinnamon danish could prove to be dangerous for your kitty if it gets into her mouth; dogs need to watch out for cayenne pepper and nutmeg, too. Though cats can be sensitive to many things, they do not like aromatherapy oil. Why Dont All Cats Like The Smell Of Bleach? It could be that more than one of the compounds released by bleach causes a reaction. 1. For a cat's wild ancestors and for stray and feral cats, not having a strong scent can mean the difference between life and death. It reminds us of home and hearth, apple pie, and cocoa. Some researchers believe that chlorine can trigger the happy receptors in a cats brain the same way catnip does. The same is true when they bring their nose up to your nose. What seems like almost constant grooming keeps your cat's coat and skin clean, which also helps keep them odor-free. If used in a diffuser or heavily diluted, it might mimic the enjoyable scent of fresh lavender. She would purr when chomping on a chive leaf, using it as cat grass. Image Credit: Piqsels. Any or all of these could be what your cat is interested in. Don't be too heavy handed with smells which are supposed to be calming scents for cats. In cats, the smell of valerian can be exciting, much like the more intense reactions they have to catnip. Since bleach is an irritant and harsh cleaning product, it can be potentially harmful to cats who constantly inhale bleach. Although some cats might like it in small amounts, most would find the smell unpleasant or downright unbearable. No, the frames dont, Im in Australia and the cedar would most probably come from Canada. The reasons are little known. However, there are things that cats hateit doesnt mean you should do them, but be aware if you do! x3 10 reasons that will surprise you! Ammonia. This is another scent that might seem a bit strange for cats to enjoy. Earwax acts as a natural barrier, keeping dirt and bacteria out of the inner workings of your ears. Its official: Cats are mysterious. Plus, you can use it on floors, tubs, and other spots youd generally bleach. As it stimulates the mind of the animal and keeps them active, catnip is one of the most beneficial plants for them. Learn more. I have a Himalayan cat who goes crazy for muffins. No, cats don't like the scent of eucalyptus. Here are some explanations for their odd behaviors. Unauthorized use is prohibited. My cat also goes crazy over Icy Hot. Brushing your cat's teeth (yes, it is possible!) If you enjoy growing herbs outdoors or on sunny countertops indoors, your cat would love it if basil was one of them. Still, the plant seems to be completely safe for them and can even be used as a training aid. Not only does grooming help cats remove dirt and grime from their coats, but it prevents predators and prey from detecting them. They weren't particularly drawn to open water unless they were dehydrated, Dr. Pilossoph says. 13 8 Related Topics They are overstimulated and have pent up energy. However, many cat owners have noticed that their cats seem drawn to eating cantaloupe and scent is the major attraction to this fruit. These chemical pheromones trick their brain into thinking they are coming into contact with the scent released by an unfamiliar cat. 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