Will my cat at home notice if I pet a cat outside?
Of course!
He even know more about that “little wildcat” than you do.
No matter what kind of mistress or concubine, nothing can escape a cat’s nose.
A cat’s nasal mucosa contains approximately 40 million to 80 million odor receptor cells, with some reaching around 200 million, far exceeding the 5 million humans possess. This means that a cat’s sense of smell is several times stronger than ours.
Besides the nose, the vomeronasal organ on the roof of a cat’s mouth can also help it perceive pheromones from other creatures more effectively.
So, when you come home and find your cat sniffing you incessantly, don’t resist. Your cat scent has already given everything away.
What information can cats detect?
Each cat releases its own unique pheromones from special glands located between its eyes, lips, cheeks, paws, and between its excretory organs.
If your cat rubs against these areas repeatedly while you’re petting it, you’ve brought home even more information, which your cat will more easily pick up—
▌Is the cat male or female?
▌ Is it an adult? Is it in heat?
▌ Is it physically healthy (mainly its digestive system)?
▌ Is it a jerk or a gentle cutie?
▌ Is it very aggressive and territorial?
▌ Is it indifferent towards you or very enthusiastic?
How do cats perceive this? Observe their reaction—
Bringing the scent of another cat home is, in a cat’s eyes, a passive sharing of resources (territory and you).
▌ Some cats believe resources are plentiful, and they don’t mind another cat using their owner’s space.
▌ Some cats will initially be bothered and sniff carefully, but once they find the other cat isn’t aggressive and you haven’t brought the other cat home, their anger will gradually subside.
▌ Some cats are very possessive. They may not be angry with you, but they will keep rubbing their heads against you and licking you, trying to re-mark you with their scent glands and declare ownership.
Some cats sense a threat from the scent of a third kitten, perceiving it as a serious territorial intrusion. This might cause them to become angry, bite, swear, or even mark their territory with urine…
How to properly soothe your cat after petting it at home?
▌ Wash your hands immediately after petting the cat and remove any cat hair.
▌ Change your shoes in the entryway and wipe yourself down with a large towel that smells like your cat.
▌ If possible, immediately put your clothes in the washing machine and then give them a quick shower to remove the odor.
▌ Distract your cat with catnip, toys, treats, etc., to help them forget their unpleasant experience.
