Bleach smells likely don't affect 100% of cats in the same way, either. Featured Image Credit: TShaKopy, Shutterstock. We can all agree that cats are weird, right? However, unlike humans, cats are not always able to be discerning with what they eat. Did you know cats who like catnip are more likely to react to bleach? This is also a reason your cat might roll onto the bleached area because they are trying to replace the foreign smell with their own. She encourages owners of indoor cats to trim their pets nails, which they can learn to do with the help of a vetand a few treats. Since the chlorine in bleach can release pheromones, your cat might think this abnormal smell in their territory is an intruder. Cats have a much better sense of smell than us. (Learn about National Geographics Little Kitties for Big Cats initiative.). So it appears cleaning does not remove the smell. Therefore the rubbing could be an extreme form of (non-spraying) marking behavior to try and re-odorize the environment and reclaim their territory. One of the dogs tore open a lavender sachet and she went crazy rolling in it. But what does that mean, exactly? Licking their coats removes any smells it has absorbed. Yes, this is often the case. Doubtless, a big part of the reason we dont yet know the intimate details of how and why cats react so strongly to this household cleaner is that bleach is toxic. However, its power of attraction is not as strong as the previous plant and it is possible that some cats will not display equal interest. Valerian root is part of an herb that is commonly used in humans for sleep disorders and anxiety. They didnt lick them or try to eat them, just whiff them. Hi, i have just started dating a girl, and it turned out she was a cat owner. If you live in a multi-cat household, you've probably seen it: One cat heaves up her meal, and before you can even say "Aww, hell no," the cleanup crew sweeps in to take . Strong Citrus scents eg orange peels and includes grapefruit. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Sure, its cheap and useful, but there are better solutions, especially if you have cats who love bleach. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.Meat is made up of them. It is toxic and harmful. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Why Dont All Cats Like The Smell Of Bleach? You can even plant honeysuckle or another flower that smells like it near places where kitty does his business hell be less likely to go back there if that awful smell lingers. Bol, S., et al. Thanks for sharing your experience Marie! If your cat is a fan of the smell of olives, they might love the taste as well but be careful not to let them eat too many because olives are high in salt and fat. x3 You must give both cats the same amount of attention, so neither gets jealous. Cats, for example, can't taste as strongly as we do, have a better sense of smell, but. When the chemical does this, it releases Volatile Organic Compounds (aka VOCs). However, the bleach reaction isnt learned behavior. Dogs may be the ones who are known for their sense of smell, but your cat can detect things in bleach well beyond our limited human processing ability. My cat, Willie, goes crazy when I peel hard-boiled eggs. Since cats have evolved to hunt alone, they rely heavily on their senses, which means that their sense of smell and hearing is heightened. She was using the plant like her personal treat, licking it and chewing the leaves! Even when you think your cat could care less about your existence so long as their food bowl is filled, rest assured they still love your smell. Similarly, bleach doesnt make every kitty go crazy, but those who love it go a bit bonkers when they smell it. Thats too funny I just wrote a comment about my brothers cats addiction to armpit smell. In addition, smells help cats communicate with other cats. BMC Veterinary Research, 13(70).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0987-6, Click to attach a photo related to your comment. What this tells us is that certain breeds are more susceptible to different reactions. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. This is because one of the most active components in the olive tree's leaves and trunk is a substance called oleuropein. My 12-year-old cat, Sid, has always liked to sleep with his face in my shoes. Sarah has much experience in all aspects of pet care. It is possible the reasons are genetic similar to catnip or it is simply personal preference on behalf of the cat. Fruits such as strawberries, peach or watermelon, emit very distinctive and intense aromas that capture the attention of cats quickly. (See What Do Cats Think About Us? In the annals of strange cat behavior, bleach reactions are right up there with staring you down while shoving something breakable off the counter. This may sound like good news for those of you who share your home with feline friends; however, too much exposure to catnip can cause an adverse reaction or habituation meaning your kitty will become less and less interested as time goes on. She loves to roll in clothing that just came out of the dryer or a bathtub wiped down with bleach. To them, it smells like meat. As with catnip, when a cat perceives this smell, they tend to rub, lick, eat its leaves and show a more active attitude, action similar to the attitude they have during mating behavior. Sarah resides in South Africa with her partner and pets. So why do cats hate oranges? Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Theobromine After all, science is incredible stuff that can help us understand almost anything. Warning The smell of fish is always alluring for cats because it is one of the most intense meat smells. 9) Baths Some herbs and flowers can be toxic or act as a narcotic if your cat eats them. Your food, their food, or the smells drifting over from your neighbors big summer cookout, your cat will probably love them all! Some specific scents that most cats dont like include the following: Many of these scents are used as natural cat deterrents or training tools, particularly for those trying to keep stray cats from using their garden or yard as a public toilet! Topics include animal welfare, rescue stories, training, pet psychology, and more. Because their sense of smell is highly tuned, cats do not like anything minty. "The iris is controlled by the brain, which tells the iris to constrict in bright light or dilate in dim light. Weve got to barter with the cat, to say, We dont want you to use the sills anymore, but we want to give you what you need,' Sherman said. This is one reason your cat may love to sleep with you, head butt you, or snooze in your laundry basket among your clothes. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Eating the plant is toxic for the cat. Brushing your cat's teeth (yes, it is possible!) She will cry, rub on me, push her nose into my clothes and find any way she can to lick me. Nepetalactone, which is an oil present in catnip, enters a cats nasal tissue and binds with the receptors that stimulate sensory neurons which then activate several sensory regions in a cats brain. In this way, it is better to keep cats away from the actual plant to avoid a possible intoxication. Any or all of these could be what your cat is interested in. Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. They also like their own smell, and use it to label things they perceive as 'theirs'. Thus, cats that are attracted by them show the same symptoms described in the section dedicated to catnip, activation, and mental stimulation. Ive seen so many things that say that cats hate rosemary but when I let my cat outside, the first thing he does is walk to the rosemary bush and he'll sit and sniff if for about 20 minutes straight. Why Do Cats Seem To Like The Smell Of Bleach? Some individuals do not respond to the plant in the same way. The smell of cat urine is very ammonia-like, and it's normal. The Answer Might Surprise You! Opening windows is a nice way to enrich the lives of your indoor cats while letting them live where they are safest. Honeysuckles sweet smell is one reason why its used as a natural insect repellent and on skincare products for humans. Another example is cantaloupe, which many cats seem to enjoy eating. My two cats, Jasper and Roxie, acted weird with carrots. 5 Incontinence or the inability to control urination can result in your cat smelling like urine or pee. Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats . Cats are known to have a highly developed sense of smell. Because Vicks has a powerful smell to it, much like mint and eucalyptus. How? 10 Possible Reasons, Why Is My Cat Drooling While Sleeping? The herb rosemary, which gives off a minty scent and has been used for centuries to treat migraines and other disorders, is an effective cat repellent. Drugs affect your behavior and actions by temporarily changing your brain chemistry. I have the same experience with all households with cats, e.g. The Truth About This Spicy Spice, Top 10 Brushing Cats Teeth Secrets You Need To Know. Just cut them into several large chunks and watch your pet go crazy for it! A cat's sense of smell is 14 times better than a human's, so it's much more developed and allows them to perceive scents more intensely. Valerian root has been studied, along with silvervine and honeysuckle, as a catnip alternative and does seem to appeal to cats who dont care for the more commonly-used kitty scent. When mixed with the ammonia in cat urine, it releases toxic chlorine gas. One of the most amazing things about humans is our ability to figure out whats happening through science. For many years scientists and behavior experts have put their efforts into decoding the hows and whys of cat behavior. one of my cats smells like carrots. This is probably the smell that first comes to mind when you think of popular cat scents. The main reason cats seem to like bleach so much is because of the chlorine present in the bleach that produces pheromones that confuse your cat. It's more commonly seen in dogs, however, as they are more likely to swim in a pool. He will follow a muffin from the moment you take it from the package and heat it in the microwave. The reasons are little known. It smells that cats hate and why they are bad for them: Cats have sensitive noses, so they have a great sense of smell. They hate smells. This is because their smell is so powerful that this citrus smell is many times stronger to them than us. Why is that? We all know how important it is for us to get our five portions of fruit and veg a day and citrus fruits are one of the most popular fruits available. Certain Herbs. What seems like almost constant grooming keeps your cat's coat and skin clean, which also helps keep them odor-free. Just like humans, some cats crave for fish, while others prefer meat. My kitten raced over and lay on my magazine. What if we could clean them out? Aromatherapy oils may contain aromatic oils that give off strong scents that hurt your cats sensitive nose. Didn't find what you need? If you ask your friends what their favorite smells are, youd probably get a range of answers from coffee to fresh-cut grass to clean laundry. I have a Himalayan cat who goes crazy for muffins. 20 Reasons Why. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Citrus smells are a powerful nemesis to cats, and some even say they can give your cat an asthma attack. Google is unhelpful. Some cats have this attraction to just leaves, while others are attracted by all the parts the olive tree. Be sure to thoroughly wash any part of your garden or lawn where youve sprinkled garlic. Curators are realizing that returning looted artifacts isnt closing museumsits opening new doors. I have a cat that loves the smell of bleach. Cookie Notice Ragdoll cats are especially prone to bleach reactions, though they arent alone. Some cats have this attraction to just leaves, while others are attracted by all the parts the olive tree. Just like humans love the the smell of certain foods, there are some things cats can't get enough of either. All rights reserved, What Do Cats Think About Us? The sniffing, rubbing, and rolling around behavior are often kitty ways of showing approval and enjoyment. My tabico (tabby, calico mixed with some tiger) cat, Sugar, loves to lick the foil wrapper from Laughing Cow cheese wedges. Lavender is perhaps best known for its ability to calm people down. There is also something very seasonal about the smell of spices and oranges. (also.. '. Lets take a look at what the bleach is probably doing. In this sense, certain scents can certainly attract cats and encourage them to try the food. The main reason cats seem to like bleach so much is because of the chlorine present in the bleach that produces pheromones that confuse your cat. One of my cats has an extremely strong reaction to the smell of carrots. Spray these surfaces with a small amount of liquid several times a day until cats stay away. Nevertheless, chlorine gas is dangerous. Plenty of cat owners make the mistake of cleaning cat boxes, among other household surfaces with bleach. The same is true when they bring their nose up to your nose. Some cat breeds are more susceptible to different reactions when smelling certain things that would appeal to other cats. As it stimulates the mind of the animal and keeps them active, catnip is one of the most beneficial plants for them. So, it's no mystery why cats don't like the smell of vinegar and why it's an effective repellent. An Expert Weighs In, Can Cats Eat Cumin? Alternately, rubbing is also a way to scent-mark things your cat is claiming as their own. You May Be Surprised, National Geographic readers pictures of cats, National Geographics Little Kitties for Big Cats initiative, which provides no medical benefit to the animal, How Cats and People Grew to Love Each Other.). 1. It wouldnt be ethical to dump toxic chemicals on peoples beloved housepets. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Second, they might be having the catnip reaction, which is not the same, though it can look pretty similar. For a cat's wild ancestors and for stray and feral cats, not having a strong scent can mean the difference between life and death. However, many cats love the smells of carrots, sometimes even more than they like catnip. "A cat's sense of smell is roughly 14 times that of a human," says Learn, who specializes in behavior medicine. Its thought that cantaloupe smells similar to meat to cats because many of the compounds that give meat its scent are also found in smaller amounts in cantaloupe. Because of its ability to stop pests at their source, neem oil makes an effective means of protecting garden plants from destruction by bugs. This reaction comes from a chemical called nepetalactone, which triggers a scent-based response in the cats brain. The smells that cats hate are not just random unpleasant smells but also those that convey danger. Many cats feel trapped by the intense smell of some flowers like roses, daisies and lilies. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? As such, most cats will stay at least six to ten inches away from this herb. Cavities, decay, and gum inflammation can affect felines and cause unpleasant odours. Not more than once did I discover the two chewing gum they found in my purse. I mean, we love them, but at times they do things that makes us wonder whats really going on in those little fur-covered brains. Follow her at Twitter.com/AskJoanMorris. She has a fetish with armpits and will try and lick them if she can. (2017). 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! Then Corley would put his head inside the shoes and roll around on them. Here are 11 smells that cats love and a few extra scents that they just cant stand! I like to snack on those small baby carrots, and if I wasnt looking both cats would rub their faces in my bowl of carrots for a couple of minutes at a time. Other safe herbs cats may enjoy sniffing include dill, oregano, parsley, and rosemary. 6 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures). All that rolling and rubbing might be half turn-on and half confusion because theres no other kitty there, making everything smell like mating time. These vegetables are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant responsible for the vibrant orange color. Their sense of smell is even stronger than dogs. 1. Let's learn more about which smells cats hate. Urinary tract infections can cause the urine to smell especially putrid. Hmmm, could be a similar reason why cat's eat grass: My daughters cat loves catnip. Diatomaceous Earth And Why I Dislike It Yes, I know cats and dogs taste foods differently than humans do. Hence there are different personalities and color patterns, among other qualities. Us is that certain breeds are more susceptible to different reactions when smelling certain things that would appeal to cats... Components in the olive tree smelling certain things that would appeal to other cats there is also something seasonal... 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