Content
- What are cat pheromones?
- Why do cats rub their heads? - Feline Facial Pheromone
- Other pheromones in cats
- Pheromones for aggressive cats
- Homemade pheromones for cats
Animals have many ways to communicate with each other, can connect through sight, sounds, vocalizations, body positions, smells or pheromones, among others. However, in this Animal Expert article, we will focus on pheromones, specifically from the feline species, to provide information to people who have a "multi-cat" home (with 2 or more cats) and often find themselves experiencing aggression issues between them. This fact is very frustrating and saddening for the human who lives with them, because all he wants is for his cats to live harmoniously.
If you do not know what are cat pheromones or how do they use them, keep reading this article and clarify your doubts.
What are cat pheromones?
pheromones are biological chemical compounds, formed mainly by fatty acids, which are produced within the body of animals and secreted to the outside by glands special or joining other bodily fluids such as urine. These substances are chemical signals released and taken by animals of the same species and influence their social and reproductive behavior. They are released into the environment constantly or at specific times and places.
Pheromones are very present in the world of insects and vertebrates, we know that they still exist in crustaceans and molluscs, but they are unknown in birds.
Why do cats rub their heads? - Feline Facial Pheromone
Cats capture pheromones through a special sensory device located in the palate called the vomeronasal organ. Have you ever noticed that your cat pauses when it sniffs and leaves its mouth slightly open? Well, at that moment, when the cat opens its mouth when it smells something, it's sniffing out pheromones.
The glands that produce pheromones are found in the cheeks, chin, lips and whiskers region. These glands exist in dogs and cats. As a curiosity, the dog has a gland in the ears, and two more glands: one in the ear canal and another in the outer ear. in the cat, five different facial pheromones were isolated in the sebaceous secretions of the cheeks. We currently know the function of only three of them. These pheromones are involved in territorial marking behavior and in certain complex social behaviors.
The cat seems to score some points in its territory around its favorite paths, rubbing the face against them. In doing so, it deposits a pheromone, which can reassure you and help you organize the environment by classifying it into "known objects" and "unknown objects".
During the sexual behavior, to detect and attract females in heat, the male cat rubs his face in the places around where the cat is and leaves another pheromone different from the one used in the previous case. It is observed that in sterilized cats the concentration of this pheromone is minimal.
Other pheromones in cats
In addition to facial pheromones, other pheromones are distinguished in special purpose cats:
- urine pheromone: male cat urine has a pheromone that gives it its characteristic smell. Urine marking is by far the best known behavior in the cat and is considered the main behavioral problem of cats that live with humans. The position cats acquire during marking is typical: they stand up and spray small amounts of urine onto vertical surfaces. This hormone is linked to the search for a partner. Cats in heat usually score too.
- scratchy pheromone: Cats release this interdigital pheromone by scratching an object with their front paws and also attract other felines to perform the same behavior. So if your cat scratches the couch and you don't know what to do, see the article "Solutions to keep the cat from scratching the couch", understand its behavior and guide it.
Pheromones for aggressive cats
Feline aggression is a very common problem observed by ethologists. It is a very serious fact because it puts the physical integrity of humans and other pets at risk. A cat in a house can achieve high welfare by sharing territory with humans or other animals such as dogs, however they are little tolerant with the presence of other feline companions indoors. Wild cats that live in social groups with abundant food, form matrilineal groups, that is, the females and their offspring are the ones that remain in the colonies. Young males usually leave the group and adults, if they are tolerant of each other, may overlap their territories, although they generally keep their territory actively defended. Also, a social group will not allow another adult feline to participate. On the other hand, a wild cat can have a territory between 0.51 and 620 hectares, while a domestic cat's territory has artificial boundaries (doors, walls, walls, etc.). Two cats that live in a house must share space and time and, tolerate themselves without showing aggression.
In the case of aggressiveness in cats, there is a pheromone called "appeaser pheromone". It was found that cats that live together or between a cat and a dog, or even between a cat and a human being, when the feline is sociable to these species, the pheromone decreases the likelihood of aggressive behavior between the cat and the other individual, sprayed with this hormone. There are also pheromone diffusers that promote a relaxed and calm environment, making the cats appear calmer. This is how hormones sold on the market work. However, we recommend consulting a specialist to find out which is the most suitable for our specific case.
Homemade pheromones for cats
One of the most commonly used home remedies to calm a hyperactive or aggressive cat is cultivate the weed or catnip. This herb attracts most furry friends in an irresistible way! However, it is important to keep in mind that not all felines are equally attracted (about 70% of the world population of cats are attracted to each other and this is due to genetic factors), and that all cats have the same effects, after ingesting them.
We can use this herb as a treat, rub it against objects or new companion animals to facilitate the approach. This homemade "pheromone" for cats also serves as a relaxant for hyperactive felines or as an insect repellent.
