I have two female cats. One is 1.5 years and spayed, the other is 3.5 months (waiting till 6 months to have her spayed.) My big cat seems like she's on a constant mission to sniff the kitten's butt! She'll even pin the kitty down (doesn't hurt her) just to sniff. Why is this? Do cats have scent glands in this region or is it about heirarchy? I've seen dogs do this plenty of times, but I'm kind of a new cat owner.
I can't seem to find much info. about this on the Internet, so I was hoping someone who knows cats' anatomies better might be able to help!
2006-12-21 19:25:34 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes, the kitten has been to the vet, de-wormed and tested for all diseases. Vet gives both kitties a clean bill of health!
2006-12-21 19:32:56 · update #1
Hi there...certainly! Cats have scent glands located not only located in the anus, but also on top of their head (in front of the ears), on the side of the mouth, and their paw pads. When cats rub against people or objects they are scenting those to tell other cats they own this person or thing. When they claw objects they are releasing pheromones from the pads of their paws to scent those areas as well. They also use scent to distinguish one another--a form of greeting and can be hierarchical as well.
http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/behavior/a/aa051303b.htm (see section How Do Cats Use Scent Communication)
2006-12-21 19:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Scent Glands In Cats
2016-11-07 08:46:08 · answer #2 · answered by trevisone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - to both! Cats establish a hierarchy that way, and they determine who is who by scent. Cats have scent glands at the corners of the mouth, at the top of the head, and at their back end. They tell much more by scent that by sight (including about their owners); the dominant cat is the one that does the sniffing, as opposed to the subordinate cat that must allow the sniffing (notice it's not often the other way around).
2006-12-21 19:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, cats have scent glands all over their body's. Notice when they rub up against your leg, they are actually marking their scent on you. Their kind of saying that you are theirs and no one elses. I'm not sure about the older cat sniffing the kitten's butt. It could be like (s)he is acknowledging the kitten, but I'm not completely sure about that either. Hope I helped!
2006-12-21 19:30:56 · answer #4 · answered by cornmessa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
male cats have scent glands in their bottoms,you'll see them marking their territory by peeing standing up.As for females,im not too sure about that.They must do as when they come into season,they give off pherimones which attract the males.Cat's dont normally smell each others butt's,that's more of a dog thing.
2006-12-21 19:31:05 · answer #5 · answered by nanook570 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Do cats have scent glands?
I have two female cats. One is 1.5 years and spayed, the other is 3.5 months (waiting till 6 months to have her spayed.) My big cat seems like she's on a constant mission to sniff the kitten's butt! She'll even pin the kitty down (doesn't hurt her) just to sniff. Why is this? ...
2015-08-10 10:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you had the kitten tested for all diseases and worms? Maybe your older kitty is trying to alert you and the kitten of danger...lol.
Also..yes they do have scent glands, but they are around their whiskers on their faces. That is why you see them rubbing their lil faces on things in the house, they are spreading their scent.
2006-12-21 19:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by zawni2004 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The disgusting smell just about kills me. Every time I go to my friends House it stinks like cat piss so bad, it gets on every thing its like the smell of a weasel or skunks almost.
2006-12-21 19:40:26 · answer #8 · answered by woo-lee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When cats spray what can you do for the cat and how do I get rid of the smell?
2015-09-22 21:10:48 · answer #9 · answered by mollie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmm, take her to the vet maybe she could have some type of worms or a rash?
2016-03-19 01:26:34 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋