Cat with a “Stinky Face”: what to do about it.

Have you ever noticed that your cat makes a ”stinky face” after smelling something? When your cat makes a shocked expression after picking up a new scent, it’s more than just a cute reaction.

By some estimates, a cat’s sense of smell is 14 times better than that of humans. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, so it’s no wonder they make a funny face when they smell something new.

Why does my cat make a stinky face?

Cats have a highly developed olfactory system. They can detect smells that are far beyond our human capabilities.

When a cat encounters a new scent, it triggers a fascinating reaction known as the Flehmen response or the Flehman grimace. You can spot it when your cat opens its mouth slightly and lifts its upper lip, almost like they're making a "stinky face". 

What's the purpose of this strange behavior?

The Flehmen response actually helps cats analyze and process scents more effectively. By exposing the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of their mouth, to the scent particles, cats can gather more information about the smell. This organ is responsible for detecting pheromones, which play a crucial role in communication and social behavior among cats.

So, the next time you see your cat making that stinky face — instead of the normal resting cat face — be assured that it's completely normal. 

Explaining the flehmen response.

Named for the German word flehmen, which means "to bare the upper teeth," this response was first recorded by an 18th-century Dutch botanist named Frederik Ruysch, the same scientist who discovered the Jacobsen's organ.

The Flehmen response is a fascinating behavior observed in many animals, not just cats. Scientists have noted a similar reaction in giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions, leopards, tigers, goats, llamas, and antelopes. Each species has its own way of performing the flehmen response, but the underlying purpose remains the same — to gather more information about the scent and better understand their environment.

Like many other non-human mammals, cats are scent-sensitive communicators. Their scent glands produce pheromones, which they spread by rubbing against objects in the vicinity. These pheromones can identify a cat, mark territorial bounds, signal an animal's stress level, or even alert potential partners about a sexually available tom or queen.

Is the Flehman response normal cat behavior?

Is it normal for my cat to make a stinky face?

Absolutely! In fact, it's quite common among cats. When your furry friend encounters a new scent, their sense of smell goes into overdrive, triggering that adorable grimace. It's a sign that your cat's sense of smell is working just fine!

While it's okay for your cat to make a stinky face, you don't want to make one yourself! Try a covered litter box to keep odors contained.

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