Anisha Riggs
Cats have a powerful sense of smell, with some estimates suggesting it is 14 to 40 times stronger than that of humans. Their sense of smell is so strong that certain places, such as cat cafes and cat shelters, ban people from wearing perfumes to avoid irritating the cats' sensitive noses. Cats are known to dislike certain scents, such as citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, and geranium, but they also show interest in certain perfumes. Some cats have been observed licking their owners' skin after they've sprayed on perfume, while others seem to enjoy the smell of bleach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cats' sense of smell | 14 to 40 times stronger than a human's |
| Cats' perception of scents | Cats don't perceive scents the same way humans do |
| Cats' reaction to perfume | Varies across individuals; some cats are fascinated by certain perfumes, some dislike almost all perfumes |
| Common reactions | Licking, sniffing, rubbing against |
| Perfumes cats seem to like | Mugler Cologne Fly Away, Gentle Fluidity Gold by MFK, Alien Mugler, florals, gourmands, The Body Shop's strawberry body butter |
| Perfumes cats seem to dislike | Naxos, citrus-based perfumes, spices, clove, patchouli, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant |
| Health risks | Watery nose or eyes, a burning sensation in the nose/throat, nausea leading to drooling and/or vomiting, and difficulty breathing |
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What You'll Learn
Cats have a powerful sense of smell
Cats have an uncommon ability to "taste" scents with the help of their nasopalatine ducts, which are located in the roof of their mouth. When you see a cat wrinkle its nose and open its mouth with slightly retracted lips, you are witnessing the vomeronasal organ in action. Cats also use their sense of smell to communicate, and they gather information from scents. They will use smells to communicate important messages to other cats, and sometimes to humans, although we may not understand what they mean.
Cats find their own scent reassuring, so they will use it to make an environment feel more familiar. When a cat rubs against you, furniture, or new objects in the home, they are depositing their scent and making that thing, or person, smell more familiar to them. They also do this with other cats, rubbing their faces, bodies, or tails, and depositing scents from their toes when scratching.
Cats have a different idea of what smells bad compared to humans. For example, orange peel and mothballs are on their "do not sniff" list, while they love the smell of catnip, garlic, and onion. They also have sensitive noses, and caution is advised when wearing perfumes or using scented products around them. Some cats may react negatively to strong odors or fragrances, which can cause watery eyes and nose, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
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Some cats like perfume
Cats have a sense of smell that is 14 to 40 times stronger than that of humans. Due to this heightened olfactory sense, cats can experience odours more intensely and perceive scents differently from humans. While some cats dislike perfume, others seem to enjoy certain fragrances.
Some cats are attracted to specific perfumes, such as YSL Baby Doll, which one cat owner observed drove their cat into a frenzy of licking the fragrance off their skin. Another cat was observed to have a similar reaction to the scent of The Body Shop's strawberry body butter, as well as white florals. One cat owner reported that their cat enjoyed the scent of their perfume, Gentle Fluidity Gold by MFK, while another cat disliked the same fragrance. Some cats even enjoy sniffing flowers, just like humans.
Cats may also be attracted to certain perfumes because they contain notes that resemble the scent of catnip. For example, one cat owner observed that their cat was obsessed with the perfume Zoologist Civet. The cat may have been attracted to this particular fragrance because it reminded them of catnip. Similarly, some cats enjoy the scent of gourmand perfumes, which likely reminds them of food.
However, it is important to note that some cats may be irritated by strong fragrances. Inhalation of strong fragrances can cause some cats to develop a watery nose or eyes, a burning sensation in the nose or throat, nausea leading to drooling and/or vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Certain fragrances, such as those with citrus or synthetic accord notes, are widely reported as being unpleasant to cats.
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Some cats dislike perfume
While some cats seem to enjoy the smell of perfume, others dislike it. Cats have a powerful sense of smell, 14 to 40 times stronger than that of humans, and they don't perceive scents in the same way. Some fragrances may be irritating to cats' sensitive noses, causing watery eyes, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, nausea, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
Citrus fragrances, in particular, are widely reported to be repulsive to cats. Cats may also dislike other natural fragrances such as lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary, rue, thyme, and mint. Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon can also be off-putting to cats. Some cats may also be put off by certain natural cat litters containing pine material and may prefer unscented options.
Some cat cafes and shelters prohibit visitors from wearing perfumes to avoid irritating the cats' senses and to prevent negative reactions such as biting or scratching. It is recommended to avoid spraying perfumes around cats and to be cautious when introducing new fragrances into their environment.
Additionally, it's worth noting that individual cats can have unique preferences and reactions to specific perfumes. Some cats may express curiosity or fascination, while others may display aversion or terror. Certain fragrances may remind cats of desirable things they cannot have, such as dark chocolate or coffee.
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Citrus smells are widely disliked by cats
Cats have a very strong sense of smell, with 45 to 80 million olfactory receptors. Citrus smells are widely disliked by cats. In fact, citrus is often used as a deterrent for cats. Some cat shelters and cafes ban visitors from wearing perfumes, as the strong scents can irritate cats' sensitive noses, causing watery eyes, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Citrus fruits, in particular, are known to be disliked by cats. Cats tend to avoid the smell and taste of citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. However, some cats may be attracted to the scent, especially if it is diluted or mixed with other scents. For example, one cat owner reported that their cat enjoyed licking a mixture of citrus concentrate and water that had been sprayed on plants. Another cat enjoyed playing with a toy mouse filled with citrus leaves.
While some cats may be indifferent to certain perfumes or even enjoy the scent, it is generally recommended to avoid wearing strong fragrances around cats. This is because their sense of smell is much more powerful than that of humans, and what may be a pleasant scent to humans could be overwhelming for a cat.
Additionally, cats may have negative associations with certain scents. For example, the smell of cleaning agents or perfumes may remind them of vet visits or other stressful experiences. It is important to respect a cat's sense of smell and avoid exposing them to scents that may be irritating or harmful, such as citrus or cayenne pepper.
Overall, while there may be some variation in individual cats' preferences, citrus smells are generally disliked by cats and should be avoided to protect their health and well-being.
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Cats can have negative reactions to perfume
Cats have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, which is much stronger than that of humans. Because of this, they can experience odours much more intensely and do not perceive scents in the same way as people.
While some cats may enjoy sniffing and even licking certain perfumes, it is important to be cautious when wearing fragrances around them. Strong perfumes can cause negative reactions in cats, such as watery eyes and nose, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, nausea, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. These reactions are due to the intense nature of the perfume, which can be irritating and overwhelming to a cat's sensitive nose.
Citrus fragrances, in particular, can be harmful to cats. Cats often find citrus scents extremely unpleasant and repugnant. Ingesting citrus fruits or exposure to citrus oils can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or dermatitis in cats. Even the use of citrus-based cleaning products can be harmful, as one cat owner reported their cat developed a bad case of dermatitis after exposure to a citrus cleaner.
Other scents that cats generally dislike include lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary, rue, thyme, mint, menthol, and strong spicy aromas like clove, curry, cinnamon, and pepper. It is important to note that some of these scents, such as lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, and mint, are considered toxic to cats and can lead to serious health issues if ingested.
To avoid causing any harm or discomfort to cats, it is recommended to avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes around them. When visiting cat cafes or shelters, it is common to be asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and to wash hands with unscented soap to prevent negative reactions in the cats.
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Frequently asked questions
Cats have a sense of smell that is 14 to 40 times stronger than that of humans, so they can experience odours more intensely. While some cats seem to enjoy certain perfumes, others are indifferent, and some dislike or even hate perfume.
Some cats seem to like lighter, gourmand perfumes, especially those with sweet notes like chocolate. One cat owner reported that their cat enjoyed the scent of Mugler Cologne Fly Away, which smells like cannabis. Another owner's cat liked the scent of Gentle Fluidity Gold by MFK.
Cats are widely reported to dislike citrus scents, as well as mint and mint-related odours like menthol and wintergreen. Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats.
Yes, inhalation of strong fragrances can cause some cats to develop a watery nose or eyes, a burning sensation in the nose or throat, nausea leading to drooling and/or vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Citrus fruits are considered edible for cats, but the skins and plant material may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or dermatitis.
