Have you ever seen your kitten roll around on your shoes and then make the stinky face? You know the one. Their eyes glaze over, and they slightly open their mouth. Did you know they’re actually performing a voluntary response called the flehmen response?
The flehmen response occurs when the animal voluntary pulls an odor or pheromones up into a special organ called the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson’s organ). While the look is affectionately called “stinky face,” others call it a sneer or grimace. The flehmen response has also been seen in wild cats and some other species, such as horses.
The vomeronasal organ is located in the roof of the mouth with the openings just behind the upper incisors. Its function is to provide further analysis of odors, a sensation that has been described as tasting and smelling at the same time. By holding the mouth open and their tongue in a flicking curled position, the cat can direct air up toward the vomeronasal organ. Cats use their vomeronasal organ to process pheromones and hormones secreted by other cats.
Pheromones are very important for communication between cats. Cats can use pheromones to mark territory, communicate receptivity to mating or to keep track of their kittens. You can also use pheromones in your home to reduce anxiety in your cat. Pheromones are species-specific, which means that human pheromones are different from cat pheromones, which are different from dog pheromones and so on.
Pheromone diffusers for cats usually replicate pheromones produced by nursing females to calm kittens and create a sense of belonging, or they release marking pheromones similar to those of your cat to mark an area as safe. There are also pheromone sprays which can be applied to items like blankets. A common use of pheromone sprays is to apply them to a blanket to place in a carrier for travel.
Think of using pheromones as another way of communicating with your young cat. In this case, you’re trying to communicate that they’re safe and that they belong with you.
Find out more about pheromones and other alternative therapies for reducing cat anxiety.
