The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital and Hotel

My cat sniffs the air with his mouth open.

Sometimes I see my cat sniffing the air with his mouth open, like he’s smelling through his mouth. Why is this?

Aside from your cat having 67 million odor-analyzing cells (we humans have a mere 5-20 million) in his nose, he also has a supplemental “scent-tasting” system called the Vomeronasal or Jacobson’s organ. Located between the roof of the mouth and the membrane that divides the nasal passage into two halves, these special organs let the cat “taste” odor molecules such as pheromones (a special chemical produced by mammals) and other chemical substances, often related to appetite and sexual activity. Unlike humans, cats use scent as their primary means of recognizing individuals, objects, activities, and threats in their environment. So the next time you see your cat “sniffing” the air with his mouth open, you will know he is experiencing a special scent that you probably cannot detect.

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