He's quite vocal most of the time but sometimes he just opens his mouth like he's gonna make noise but nothing comes out. It's not a yawn or anything, he just opens his mouth a little.
2006-10-13 09:11:36 · 14 answers · asked by synapticresonance 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
it's when they smell something. They take it in with their mouth. It is called the flehmen response.
You may occasionally notice your cat making a strange face – a lip-curling grimace with the mouth half open, a wrinkled nose, and a raised chin. The look is usually accompanied by a hypnotic stare, appearing as if the cat is mesmerized. This response is known as Flehmen. You may find it somewhat disconcerting, but fear not, your cat only makes this face when he wants to get a better smell of something in the air, usually the pheromonal odor of another cat.
Pheromones are substances produced by animals that act as a form of chemical communication. In cats, different glands secrete different pheromones that affect a number of behaviors. For example, pheromones help in the attraction of a mate and provide information about a cat's reproductive status. They also are used to mark objects and territory and some promote a sense of well being or familiarity. Pheromones are akin to fingerprints in humans, and their deposition serves as a calling card of sorts.
2006-10-13 09:25:06 · answer #1 · answered by ~jenjen~ 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When cats open their mouths like that, they are using this extra sensitive gland in their mouth to smell the air...
"Q: Do cats pant?
Cats normally do not pant as dogs do unless extremely overheated or stressed. Much of the time what cat owners may perceive as panting is really another type of behavior called the flehman reaction. When a cat smells something it is interested in or something extremely pungent, it may curl back its lips and open its mouth to further investigate the scent. What your cat is doing is tasting the smell it has detected. This is completely natural behavior and no cause for alarm."
2006-10-13 09:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by skylaroo02 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've got a couple of cats that do the same thing, it's almost like they're too happy or content to do anything more than open the mouth and attempt to say something.....
2006-10-13 09:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by sred 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats have a secondary olfactory organ called Jacobson's organ.
When a cat breaths through his mouth he is drawing air into it to pass over this gland to 'taste' the air.
2006-10-13 10:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by LAUGHING MAGPIE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's speaking with the birds. My cats do a similar. They stare up at a tree at a chook and do this. yet even if it is noise, its too severe because I cant listen something even on the point of them.
2016-12-04 19:20:57 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat that didn't have a loud voice so she would look like she was meowing but just made no noise, like it just didn't come out like it was suppose to. I always thought she wanted to star in her own silent film. lol
2006-10-13 09:18:01 · answer #6 · answered by Gypsy Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he's yawning or just smileing. Cat's are weried . We will never know why they are doing things . But they are sweet and cute.
2006-10-13 09:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm that probly means that its streching its mouth it might be yawning you just cant tell
2006-10-13 09:26:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
JenJen is right. It is called the Flehmen Reaction or Response, or simply "Flehming". I believe it is named after the man who discovered it. It helps a cat (and other animals) to better identify a scent.
2006-10-13 09:36:57 · answer #9 · answered by class act 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think that's cute. he probably wants a lil attention like "awwwww"...I dont tihnk u need to wory.
I wish i had one :P
2006-10-13 09:26:17 · answer #10 · answered by minnouxx 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋