Content
- Smells that cats love: catnip
- Smells that cats love: olive tree
- Smells Cats Love: Honeysuckle
- Smells Cats Love: Lavender
- Smells Cats Love: Thyme
- Smells that cats love: mint, basil and mint
- Smells that cats love: floral scents
- Smells that cats love: fruity aromas
- Smells that cats love: what is your cat's favorite?
The feline sense of smell is14 times better than the human. Because it is much more developed, the cat can perceive aromas more intensely. This advantage is very useful for caregivers to easily observe those scents their furry friend loves and also quickly identify those they hate.
If you are one of those people who keep the house well scented or use essential oils for natural therapies and want to make use of scents that do not bother your furry companion, in this article by PeritoAnimal, we share 10 smells that cats love. Of course, we anticipate that not everyone has the same impact on felines, as some can have the opposite effect, and we explain why.
Smells that cats love: catnip
THE Nepeta Qatari, better known as catnip, it exercises a powerful narcotic effect about the animal. The active ingredient nepetalactone found in the composition of the plant, produces a psychoactive impact on cats, stimulating their mind, which encourages them to play and move. Thus, when a feline smells the aroma coming from catnip, it tends to rub, lick, eat it and exhibit unusual behavior such as jumping and even hunting nonexistent animals. By stimulating the animal's mind and keeping it active, catnip is one of the most beneficial plants for them, besides having the odor that attracts cats the most.
If you want to know more information about catnip, see: Properties of catnip or catnip
Smells that cats love: olive tree
This is one of the odors that most enchant cats. The olive tree produces a narcotic effect on these animals that alters their behavior, this is due to the presence of one of the most active components of the leaves and the part of the olive tree, a substance called oleuropein. As with catnip, the cat tends to rub, lick, eat its leaves and show more active behavior, even in times of heat.
Some cats are attracted only to the leaves, while others are attracted to all parts of the olive tree, from olives to oil. Likewise, it has not yet been shown to exert a calming or relaxing effect on felines, so we cannot affirm this fact, however, it affects the central nervous system of furry animals, making them more active and playful.
Smells Cats Love: Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle or honeysuckle is part of the popular Bach flowers and, as such, they act on the cat's body with a powerful calming effect. Thus, we can say that the aroma that this plant gives off represents one of the scents that most relax cats. So much so, that currently these plants are used in cats and other animals for therapeutic purposes, such as the treatment of insomnia, stress or anxiety.
As with previous plants, the composition of honeysuckle attracts the cats and drives them to rub against the plant, lick it and eat it. However, be careful! Honeysuckle berries are toxic for cats, therefore, it is essential to prevent them from consuming this plant, they simply must smell and enjoy its aroma.
Know more: Toxic plants for cats
Smells Cats Love: Lavender
As with humans, the lavender smell attracts cats, causing them to come closer to sniff and want to rub themselves. However, its attractiveness is not as powerful as that of previous plants, so it is possible that some cats are not equally interested and even reject the plant.
If your furry companion is one of those who love this scent, you can make use of lavender essential oil to improve the animal's environmental enrichment and also encourage a relaxed state. Especially in cases of anxiety and a small degree of aggression, it has been shown that, regardless of discovering the cause of the problem, the use of this natural therapy along with other relaxing factors, helps the animal to be calmer.
Smells Cats Love: Thyme
Thyme is not only one of the scents that attract cats, it is also one of the most beneficial plants for them. Due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, prepared in the form of an infusion helps treat irritated and inflamed eyes of these animals, so that it relieves the symptoms produced by conjunctivitis, for example, or by a certain allergy.
On the other hand, its aroma acts as a natural relaxant, therefore, it promotes the cat's tranquility. For this, the ideal is to use thyme essential oil or let the plant exude its natural aroma. Of course, like lavender, thyme may not be as effective as not all cats are attracted to its scent.
Smells that cats love: mint, basil and mint
you must ask yourself because cats like the smell of mint? The answer is simple, mint, basil and mint are part of the same family as catnip, the Lumiaceae family. So it's not surprising that the scent of these plants so often used in the kitchen also forms the scents that delight cats. Thus, cats that are attracted to them show the same symptoms described in the section devoted to catnip, namely, mental activation and stimulation.
Smells that cats love: floral scents
Many cats are attracted to the intense scent of some flowers, such as roses, daisies or lilies. Of course, if that's your cat's case, you should know that some of them are highly toxic if ingested, like the last two. In this way, you can make use of the essential oil of the flower in question, but it is better keep the plant out of reach of the feline to avoid possible intoxication.
Smells that cats love: fruity aromas
Fruits such as strawberries, peaches or watermelon, emanate very characteristic and intense aromas that quickly capture the attention of cats. Thus, certain fruit aromas can produce pleasant smells for cats and encourage them to taste the food. Many of them even bring multiple benefits to the body, such as antioxidant, depurative and diuretic properties, as well as fiber and a large amount of vitamins. Of course, not all fruits are attractive to these animals, as citrus trees give off a really unpleasant aroma to them.
If you notice that your cat is attracted to the fruity aroma, don't miss our article: Human Foods a Cat Can Eat
Smells that cats love: what is your cat's favorite?
After reviewing the list of scents that most attract cats, tell us what scent your cat loves the most? Surely you've already identified that a certain plant, food or object leaves your furry friend dazzled and whenever he identifies, he approaches with enthusiasm and speed.
However, as we've already shown in this article, not all of the mentioned odors are generally pleasant for cats, as each animal is a world apart and has its own tastes. So it's possible for a feline to love the smell that comes from thyme, but completely reject that of lavender. In this sense, we recommend checking the article: 10 smells that cats hate
If you want to read more articles similar to 10 smells that cats love, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.