Why does my cat open her mouth a little bit...?

Question

Sometimes when my cat smells something, she'll pause & look at me with her mouth just slightly open as if she's out of breath (but not panting). It's about the only time I really ever see her mouth open! She only holds this position for about 5 seconds, then goes back to normal...Why??

Answer 1

She is taking in the smell. It is called Flehmening.

"The cat draws in air, capturing the scent, and transferring it to a small specialized sac called the 'vomeronasal organ' or 'Jacobson's organ.' This organ is located high up in the roof of the mouth, and has a large blood supply. It traps the odor molecules and sends signals to the brain regarding the scent."

http://www.cat-olholics.com/flehmening.html

My cat used to do this and I thought it was in response to a bad odor but it actually means they like what they are smelling.

Answer 2

Because in the roof of their mouth, they have a little thing called the Jacobs Organ.. They open their mouth and run smells past this Jacobs Organ to get more information on the things that they smell..

Answer 3

Cats have a special sense organ in the top of their mouths - your cat is opening her mouth to take a better smell.

Answer 4

I believe it is something they do to really get the smell in

Answer 5

Yup, she's Flehming, cats aren't the only ones who do it. Read all about it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flehming

Chalice

Answer 6

this is because some cats forget to close their mouths because she is taking in the smell.

Answer 7

my cat does the same thingshe is just telling you that she smells something or see`s something and wants you to check it out or something like that.