One of life’s luxuries is waking up in the morning with my cat (well, actually my oldest daughter’s cat) Gingie climbing onto my bed, purring and rubbing his face against mine, ready for morning cuddles.
Unlike humans, cats always smell fresh in the morning (and every other time), making them irresistible companions.
So what is Gingie’s secret? How come he smells so fresh and sweet, even first thing in the morning, especially considering we almost never bathe him?
And for that matter, why is he always rubbing his face against mine? Is he just because affectionate, or is there more to it than that? (Spoiler: there’s more to it than that.)
After reading this post, you’ll understand the role scent plays in the life of your favorite feline.
And you’ll also know what to do if your cat, um … well, smells less than impressive.
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Why Does My Cat Smell Sweet?
It’s always been a mystery to me: Why does Gingie smell so sweet — almost like perfume?
We don’t bathe him. We don’t spray him with scented products of any kind. Where is that sweet smell coming from?
It turns that cats looks so poised and put-together — and smell so sweet — for a reason. Even though it may appear that my cats have a cushy life where all they do is eat, sleep, and play with their kitty toys, they actually spend a large amount of time and effort on getting themselves to look and smell great.
According to The Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, a cat’s beauty routine takes up one third to one half of their waking hours.
Of course, a cat’s unique anatomy ensures that they always have their grooming tools handy. Unlike dog’s tongues, which are just kinda wet and smooth and slimy, cats’ tongues are built to be used as a very effective brush.
The surface of a cats’ tongue is covered in specially modified spikes called papillae. These papillae are all uniformly curved backward and act like a brush when grooming themselves.
Cats’ coats have two layers, the fluffy undercoat, and the sleeker top coat. The papillae on their tongues can groom both coats meticulously, removing dead hair, untangling knots, getting rid of dirt and the odd flea or tick.
The constant grooming not only ensures that cats have a beautiful coat, but it ensures they have healthy skin underneath. The papilla on the tongue helps evenly distribute saliva in the fur and on the skin.
Body oils are also distributed on your cats’ skin and fur during grooming. These body oils are produced by sebaceous glands, which can be found on your cats’ paws, rump, chin, tail area, as well on the back of their neck.
I always think it’s the cutest thing when I see one of our cats lick its paws, then quickly rub his face, over and over again. Apparently what they’re doing here is making sure that the sebum from their oil glands is adequately distributed on their skin.
So what is sebum, and why is it important to a cat’s skin?
Sebum is responsible for the polished shine that the topcoat has and healthy, supple, and well-hydrated skin. It’s as if your cat was born with a lifetime supply of beauty oil just built-in.
And this sebum also helps your cat smell great.
A cat’s sweat glands are located between its paws. This is why they are constantly found to be licking and cleaning them.
You might have noticed that your cat is incredibly flexible, when helps it do a profoundly good job of reaching every part of its body. Cats are meticulous and they will never miss a spot.
Interestingly, the grooming habits of a cat serve another purpose in addition to keeping them clean: it also helps regulate your cats’ temperature. Distributing saliva over the skin and fur helps ensure a cats’ temperature remains constant.
Another part of a cat’s beauty routine is drinking plenty of water. Water helps a cat dispel toxins from their bodies through their skin, sweat glands, and urine. Like humans, the cleaner their system, the better they naturally smell.
Making sure that there is always a fresh supply of H2O available will not only aid in keeping your cat’s liver and kidneys functioning well, but will ensure that their skin always smells great.
Why Smell Is Important To Cats
Cats use scent as a silent language to convey all sorts of messages. They have a highly evolved olfactory ability and recognize the scent of other humans and animals and extract information about the scent’s owner.
According to Fear Free Happy Homes, cats have scent glands on their lips, chin, forehead, front paw pads, and along and under the tail. Whenever they rub against something, they’re depositing the pheromones from those glands, which are kind of like a chemical message chemical signals that only other cats can understand.
The pheromones from the glands at the front of the body are calming and welcoming, while ones from the rear of body are generally used to declare territory or express stress.
Cats prefer to live in an environment where everything smells the same, which is why they’re always rubbing against things, including you — they want you to smell like them.
It’s crucial to cats that they smell good, especially when they are ready to mate. They’ll “put their best paw forward” by marking their territory in the hopes that it will attract a female. Marking their scent is like an advertising billboard for love.
As some of us unfortunately know all too well, male cats use their urine to mark the territory for the mating season. It’s like demarcating an area for mating. A female cat will easily find a male consort using chemical communication—the female cats’ scent changes when she is in heat and ready to mate.
I mentioned earlier that pheromones communicate a message to other cats. Well, they also can help a cat convey a message to itself. Since they find their scent very reassuring and safe, they may use it to self-soothe by marking their scent on their favorite blanket, toy — or human.
Ever notice your cat lying or even rolling around in a few pieces of your clothes that you left on the bed or floor? I always just assumed that it was just because the clothing was soft. But even more so, your cat can identify your scent and likes to roll around on your clothes as a way of feeling close to you.
Why Do Cats Smell Better Than Dogs?
Hey, I like dogs as much as the next person. But you have to admit that
- They don’t always smell great
- Their owners have to spent a lot more time bathing them than we cat owners do
It turns out that the reason for this is simple: in the wild, cats need to smell good in order to stay safe, whereas dogs don’t.
Scent is essential to a cat’s survival in the wild. A cat is predatory by nature, and ensuring that there are no bad smells to alert his prey ahead of time, ensures a successful hunt.
The way cats use scent is by either concealing or revealing themselves. Urine and scent glands are used to mark territory or attract a mate. Similarly, making sure that they are free of any strong smells conceals the hunter’s presence until it is too late.
Unlike dogs, who are known to hunt in packs, cats have to rely on their stealth and conceal themselves to their prey to get close enough. It follows then that even when domesticated, cats will make sure that they smell clean, while this is not a priority for dogs.
Why Do Cats Smell Good After Sleeping?
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, cats spend a large part of their day sleeping or napping. This may give the impression that they are lazy, but there is certain cat wisdom in this habit. You see, cats are experts at conserving their energy for more important activities.
Adult cats are known to sleep around 12 to 20 hours a day. Getting in good sleep ensures they have energy for essential things pertinent to their survival or happiness. We could all take advantage of this cat wisdom.
Indoor cats are prone to nap in places like on top of your freshly cleaned bedsheets, and afterward, they can smell delightful because they pick up the fragrances of your home. Outdoor cats may be at a greater risk of bad smells that they pick up after inspecting the contents of your neighbors’ trashcan.
Give Your Cat A Smell Treat
Because cats naturally appreciate scent, you can spoil your indoor cat by taking special care to indulge his sense of smell. Try bringing home wood logs such as cedar or pine cones and leaves for your cat to play with. Roses your other edible flowers, make a great scent gift too-just make sure it is safe if your cat wants to take a nibble.
Parsley, oregano, dill, lavender, and many other herbs can be sprinkled inside your cats’ toys so that they can discover new scents to entertain them. These are all ways to keep your indoor cat stimulated by smell.
So why Does My Cat Smell Bad?
If your kitty has smelled less than pleasant lately, you may want to take note as this may be distressing to your cat and indicate an underlying health condition. There are many things to note when your cat’s smell changes.
Cat Farts
Yes, cat flatulence happens. In most cases, kitty farts are delicate and hardly noticeable as they usually don’t smell. If you notice that the smells progressively worsen, it may indicate a deeper problem.
The problem has to do with your cat’s diet most of the time.
You know how you always see cats in cartoons and pictures and things drinking a saucer of milk? Well, it turns out that most cats are lactose intolerant. Feeding your cat too much dairy can cause some terrible smells and could even cause diarrhea and vomiting.
If your cat has a habit of trawling through your garbage, he may be nibbling on something that is causing bloating and flatulence. Cats are naturally curious, so make sure you keep an eye on food out in the open and avoid them having access to your trash.
Litter Tray Problems
Stinking paws may be a result of poor litterb ox hygiene. This can cause distress in your cat as they require a clean place to relieve themselves. Ensure that you empty the tray and scrub the bottom thoroughly.
You may pick up the smell of urine on your cats’ paws from time to time. Cats bury their litter and may pick up the smell of urine if their litter tray is not regularly cleaned. Now and again, I will use soap and water to rinse my cats’ paws if I notice this.
A cat suffering from diarrhea may smell bad because some excrement got stuck in their fur. If cats have been having tummy problems for a while, they may have started missing spots in their grooming time.
Bad Breath In Cats
Food allergies may result in digestive issues that can cause bad breath. Diet has a big effect on your cats’ general health. Make sure that you check the correct dietary requirements for your cats’ age and any existing health problems he may have.
Take a look at your cats’ diet if you find that your cats’ excrement is particularly foul-smelling or if he is vomiting more than usual and developing bad breath. Also, make sure that your cat has sufficient fresh, clean water to keep him hydrated and to help him clear out any toxins in his system.
It is generally expected that dogs have bad breath, but if you notice that your cats’ breath has been smelling particularly rancid, you may have a problem. Bad breath could be due to digestive problems, so once again, make sure that your cat is not trawling through your garbage or nibbling on things he shouldn’t.
For example, I had a friend whose cat used to insist on chewing on any plastic wrappers-this inevitably causes vomiting and an upset tummy. If your cat has a similar fondness for eating non-food items, make sure you keep those items out of reach.
Dry food or kibbles help prevent the build-up of tartar on your cats’ teeth. If you are feeding him too much wet food, it may result in some tooth and gum problems over time. Food gets lodged in between their teeth, and There are special dental kits for cats that you can use to avoid bad breath due to bad teeth.
Ear Infections
If you notice a terrible smell coming from your cats’ ears, you may be dealing with an infection. Please do not ignore this smell; it is a sure sign that you are not well with your cat. Smelly ears could signal an infection and require a visit to your vet.
The swelling of the ear canal causes a bad smell. Your cats’ body will recognize the inflammation and respond by producing more wax. If this situation is left untreated, the smell will worsen as the infection spreads and inevitably leads to other health problems.
If the ear infection was not caused by bacteria, fungus, or possibly a build-up of wax, it might signal a more serious issue, such as an immune system disorder. Make sure that you rule out this possibility.
The other cause of smelly ears involves ear mites, which might be more common in outdoor cats, since they can pick up these creatures from other cats and dogs in the neighborhood. They are highly transmissible, and you will want to do a deep clean of your house if a case of ear mites is confirmed.
An ear mite infection symptoms include open wounds or scabs around your cats’ ears as they are very itchy, and your cat will be doing his best to ease the irritation. Look out for twitchy ears, the constant scratching and licking around the ears, and hair loss.
Ear mites feed off the wax in your cats’ ears. Ear mites are highly transmissible, so you will need to treat all your cats. Start by consulting your vet, who will recommend a safe list of cleaning products and rinses for your cats’ ears.
You will need to apply ointments regularly and do thorough checks to ensure that the mite infestation has been brought under control. This process may take weeks to complete, so stay vigilant of any new mite uprisings.
Start a cleaning ritual for your cats’ ears to avoid further infections.
Ear infections also might form due to allergies. Your cat may be reacting to a new diet, medication, or perhaps a treat you have introduced recently. An overproduction of wax and ear oil is a natural allergic response and may be the culprit for his smelly ears.
Rule out the possibility of allergens by taking note of any recent changes and returning to his regular products for a while. If the infection doesn’t clear up, consult your vet as you do not want to leave an infection untreated for too long.
Curaseb Cat & Dog Ear Infection Treatment
Curaseb Cat & Dog Ear Infection Treatment is Amazon’s Choice for cat ear infection treatment. It claims to treat ear infections, inflammation, redness, itchiness and head shaking caused by “unwanted foreign visitors.”
Amazon reviewer Victoria loved this product for one simple reason — it worked!
Our cat had something going on with his ears and started scratching at them so we purchased something that was “natural” and had good reviews and started using it. IT DIDNT WORK! By the time we gave up our cat was wary of us, has open wounds under his ears from scratching and was a mess.
I purchased this product and within three days saw a marked improvement! Of course it was harder to do now as we had to catch him and he wasn’t as willing for treatment but the first week he was so much better and not scratching at all! We continued for another week to make sure and he is back to his old self except when he wants to go out he is so wary! Give this product a try. Sometimes natural isn’t as good as a chemical to fix a problem and having mites or yeast in your ear is no joke …
Skin Infections
Your cat’s skin needs to be well hydrated and groomed to make sure it stays healthy. Several things can cause bacterial skin infections such as pyoderma:
- Tumors
- Immunosuppression
- Demodicosis
- Feline Acne
- Ringworm
- Diabetes
- Seborrhea
- Scratching
- Burns
- Allergies
- Bite Wounds
To clear up pyoderma, you will first need to investigate the underlying causes, and these will need to be treated in conjunction with the skin infection. Treatments for pyoderma include a course of antibiotics, special shampoos, and topical treatments.
Keep in mind that a skin infection may take a while to treat. This will be an ongoing exercise in keeping the underlying condition under control while simultaneously improving the health of your cat’s skin.
Forticept Blue Butter Antimicrobial Gel is Amazon’s Choice for skin infection treatment.
Amazon reviewer KMM said this gel saved her a lot of money by being able to skip a trip to the vet:
Holy Moly are pets expensive sometimes. The last time I took my cat to the vet, it cost $700 for them to tell me she is basically just fat.
Needless to say, that motivated me to look for a common sense solution the next time I had an issue before turning to them. She recently developed a patch of scabs all along her spine that would not heal, though, and I was nearly ready to admit defeat. I thought at 1st that my other cat must have scratched her, but it seemed to keep getting worse even when I used the usual ointments for wounds and a little kitty sweater to keep her from scratching at it. I turned to Amazon reviews as a last ditch effort before calling the vet, and I’m so glad I did. I concur with all of the reviews here about this stuff being miraculous. I put it on her back and within a day or two was already noticing a big difference! It has been less than a week and the scabs are almost gone …
Should I Bathe My Cat?
[No kidding, in the middle of me writing this post, my daughter walked through the living room and said she was about to give Gingie a bath.]
Indoor and outdoor cats can benefit from a bath from time to time. It’s a good opportunity to untangle any matted hair and do a thorough check for ticks and fleas.
Look for special shampoos and conditions that protect the health of your cat’s fur, as it is better to use than human soap or detergent. Regular brushing is also recommended as it removes any dead hair from your cat’s coat.
Cleansing foams are excellent because you don’t need water to freshen up your cat. If your outdoor cat needs a good, proper bath, stronger cat shampoo and conditioner may do the trick.
I have a friend whose cat insists on taking naps under her car; unfortunately, this results in her cat getting some oil in her fur. A bath would be in order in situations like these as it may not be healthy for your cat to get any oil in his system.
Interestingly, the main reason you may want to give your cat a bath is not for the sake of the cat, but for the humans in your family.
A lot of people are allergic to pet dander, so a good shampoo could mean the difference between being able to cuddle up with your cat at night instead of being forced to keep him out of your bedroom.
Arm & Hammer Tearless Kitten Shampoo with Baking Soda,
Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo is Amazon’s Choice for cat shampoo.
Reviewers liked how this shampoo was gentle, and had a pleasant, but not overpowering, smell.
However, reviewer Lyn Leahz was particularly excited about what this shampoo didn’t have:
It was so hard to find something that did not have aloe Vera in it. I am stunned that most companies put aloe in products for cats which is very toxic! My cat nearly died from some pet wipes I bought for cats from a popular company! In fact, there were tons of reviews beneath those wipes from other cat owners whose cats nearly died. I have no idea why any companies who make products for cats put aloe in their products. And most do! …So I searched and searched and found your shampoo and so happy it doesn’t contain aloe!
Now you know why your cat smells so good and why scents — both theirs and yours — are so important to them. Helping your cat to smell fresh and clean will bring joy to both of you!