When a cat smells something and their mouth pops open as if in shock and they just stare and go into a trance?

Question

and then they literally shake their heads as if trying to break the trance, are they in shock because they REALLY like the smell or are they in shock because they odor is so unbearable that they can't believe they just smelled that? BTW it is hilarious when they do it but just curious to know

Answer 1

A cat has a special organ on the roof of it's mouth called the Jacobson's Organ. When they want to smell something interesting, they open their mouth and use their tongue to push the air up to the organ so they can "taste" the scent. They make a funny face that looks like they smelled something stinky! The face they make is called the "Flehmen Response." It just means they've found something very interesting.

My cats do this when I bring something home that smells like other cats, dogs or anything with mud on it. They are figuring out where the item has been and who it has been in contact with.

An intact male will do this when he catches scent of a female in heat and vice versa.

Answer 2

Your tabby is doing something called flehming (I think that's how it's spelled -- and I have never heard it pronounced, though I've read about it, and seen male cats do it). Apparently cats (maybe only the males -- I'm not sure) have a kind of sensory receptor way at the back of their mouths or at the top of the throat, that can both taste and smell at the same time. It is called the vomeronasal something or other. Male cats notoriously exhibit this flehmen response when they smell female cat pee or catch the scent of a female in heat. They open their mouths and kind of try to get a draft of the scent to waft over that receptor, as it is a sexy smell and they want to experience it fully. There is something about your sister's body odor or other odors on her sheets and clothing that is eliciting this response from your cat. Don't be mad at him for it or try to punish or stop him from it. He has no idea he's doing anything different. He's just following his nose and his nature, and besides, male cats (neutered or otherwise) are always gentlemen when it comes to human ladies, unlike their canine counterparts. Just let your sister know that the cat thinks she is sexy. She'll enjoy that one, and she'll probably agree that the old boy knows a sexy lady when he sniffs one.

Answer 3

It's not a trance, they're using a scent organ inside the mouth to test the smell--it's in the upper palate, near the canine teeth.

The mouth has to be open to use it, and they take a few seconds to identify the odor. It's like us sniffing at something we can't identify, to finally figure out what it is.

The thing is called a Jacobson's Organ, and several animals have them.

Here's what one site says:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1313&articleid=167

The vomeronasal organ (also called Jacobson's organ) plays an essential role in olfactory communication in all species. Located in the roof of the mouth, this organ consists of two, fluid filled sacs that connect to the nasal cavity via fine ducts. To facilitate the perception of pheromones, especially sexual odors, most species conduct a behavioral process called 'Flehmen' whereby they lift their upper lip and open their mouths to increase the opening of the ducts connecting the Jacobson's organ with the nasal cavity.

Answer 4

haha! i LOVE it when my cats do that! My brothers and I laugh every time.!! Whenever my cats do that, they are smelling something bad, like my brothers laundry or something like that. its really funny!

Answer 5

im so glad that u asked this question and i didnt know eigther thanks for the questoin it is funny wene cats do that

Answer 6

This is called the flehmen reaction. Kitty has a organ in the roof of her mouth called the Jacobson' Organ that helps her 'recognize' odors.

It is funny to watch them do this! Here is an article that explains a little more about this flehmen reaction.

Purrs to you and kitty.

Answer 7

As far as I know they use a special gland to 'taste' a smell. It's something they use to identify other cats in the wild I think.
I may be wrong...somebody probably knows more detail than me! They do look quite comical when it happens!

Answer 8

I am so glad you posted this! My cat does the same thing! He usually does it when he is watching me eat, or if I give him a taste of something. Its HILARIOUS!
Instead of shaking his head to get out of the trance, though, he just licks his mouth more.
I guess maybe its so he can process what he smelled or something. I'm sure their sense of smell (and/or) taste is much stronger than ours.
If we never find out why...we can entertain ourselves by watching! :)

ADDED- I actually was interested by one of the above answers(jelly) and did some more research. Horses and other animals do this as well (funny pics)!
Here is a site on cats doing it...it is called "The Offended Sniff" Enjoy :) http://www.pet-tails.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=351

Answer 9

I have looked after many cats and I have never experienced such a thing. I would say if they were not all doing the same thing that it would be kind of odd. But seeing as how they have the same reaction I guess its normal. And out of curiosity what is it that smells so weird to cause such a reaction! Also every cat is different I have seen cats do some really weird stuff but that is just there natural sense of curiosity, and that makes them so special. Sounds like you and your cats have a good laugh together, that's great.

Answer 10

I always laugh when my cat does that, cause it looks so funny. But what they are doing is they sniff first, then if the odor is unrecognizable they just sit with their mouths open to allow the scent to travel through their smell sinus cavity. It does look funny, it's almost like a long "duh" look on their faces.