I'm curious to know what it means. I see it happen with Marshall and Wylie, both brothers. Is it normal? It's fine when they lick each other's furs, but what about sniffing butts?
Serious answers please from cat owners, vets, pet store owners, etc.
2007-03-03 01:20:04 · 15 answers · asked by Kristen H 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
By the way, both cats are fixed.
2007-03-03 01:31:57 · update #1
What does it mean when people shake hands and say "hey, what's new, what'cha been up to" - nope I'm really not being sarcastic. It's like a cross between a greeting and reading the newspaper, catching up on the local news/gossip. If a cat turns his/her butt to you, it means they like you and trust you like a mama cat (mama cats lick there instead of changing diapers). It's not sexual. From a grown cat that's high praise (think of it that way instead of gross). Dogs do it too, especially to people. If a dog does it, they're saying "wow, you are very interesting ..." which may help you say, Yeah, ok, thanks but don't do that now. They're not being sexual, etc. with you.
2007-03-03 01:42:35 · answer #1 · answered by holly_a_johnson 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats, like many other animals, use smell to identify others. Each cat his own distinct smell which identifies it from other cats. Cats do not rely just on sight for identification.
I had two litter mates and when one was outside and the other inside, the cats would hiss at each other through the glass. They would only stop when they could smell each other to confirm the identification of a friend and not an invader!
2007-03-03 01:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by cat m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a certain "pecking order" in the animal kingdom. (who's boss)
When "butt-sniffing" is unrelated to mating, it's either a greeting, ID check, sex check, or a form of aggression.
When this involves two males, usually the primary "butt-sniffer" takes his role of dominance over the other males.
Male cats will keep many females under his authority, fighting any threat to his role. (another male)
2007-03-03 01:43:33 · answer #3 · answered by Bonnie Lynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok heres the deal lets say im a cat. I see another cat i sniff but. Thats a cat handshake he sniffs mine we reconise eachother and learn a little but cats prefer face to fae sniffin but but sniffen can tell about a cats condition and status. IF the kitty is in heat ya know the hole deal
2007-03-06 12:20:24 · answer #4 · answered by Majin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal, my cats do it too. When a cat sniffs another cats butt it is identifying that cat to tell if it will sometimes share it's territory with it. Dogs do the same. If they don't like who they sniff they won't let them around.
2007-03-03 01:45:38 · answer #5 · answered by sweetheartnicole7 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because the anus has scent glands around it, just like armpits in humans, and the glands help the cats determine the attitude and health of the cat whose butt they currently have their nose in. Doesn't necessarily mean they want sex.
2007-03-03 01:25:31 · answer #6 · answered by Hobbitling 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there just saying hello if it a cat is in heat it meoaws not sniffs another cats bum so who ever is sayin that is tell lies 2 u male cats spray nd females call out for males
2007-03-03 01:39:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are checking out each other's scent. Dogs do this. Dogs will come up to a person and smell their scent if the dog is tall enough. It is just part of what animals do.
2007-03-03 01:29:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
they just want to be nosey sometimes to sniff the scent of each other sometimes if it is brother and brother then they can tell what mood he is in and sometimes where he has been.my cats do that one cat played with someone elses dog and maby they can tell by scent of who he been with.
2007-03-03 01:31:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh good grief --this is just like sisters or brothers playing around and feeling each other out. Perfectly normal and all good.
2007-03-03 01:29:21 · answer #10 · answered by luminous 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋