We can take advantage of that remarkable sense of smell to enrich our cats’ lives. Here are three fantastic ways to expand your cat’s horizons through their nose.

#1. Eufloria: Plants that Cats Adore

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Many people are familiar with catnip, a plant in the mint family recognized for the euphoric response it elicits in our feline companions. However, there are several other plants that cats can enjoy as well. Notable alternatives to catnip include silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, and valerian root. Interestingly, some cats have also been known to respond to the scent of green olives (always remove the pits), palo santo, and cat thyme.

Cats react to various chemicals in these plants, including nepetalactone (found in catnip), nepetalactol (present in silver vine), and actinidia polygama (found in both silver vine and valerian). These substances stimulate the pleasure centers in a cat’s brain, providing a positive experience.

The “catnip response” is genetic, with around 60 percent of cats exhibiting this reaction, which usually develops around six months of age.

Why Do Cats Respond to Catnip?

Until recently, the benefits of the catnip response were not well understood. However, a 2021 study from Iwate University in Japan discovered that silver vine is not only enjoyable for cats but also beneficial! Nepetalactol from silver vine effectively repelled mosquitoes, preventing cats who rolled in silver vine from suffering mosquito bites. Thus, the catnip response is both pleasurable and potentially protective, as mosquitoes can carry parasites harmful to cats.

Indulging in Catnip: No Downsides!

Another study on silver vine from the same research team concluded that it is safe for regular use. Cats displayed no signs of addiction, nor were there any adverse physical effects. So, there’s no reason to deny your kitty this delightful experience!

Quick Tips for Providing Olfactory Enrichment for Your Cats:

• Understand your cat! Some cats love all types of cat-safe plants, while others may have preferences. If your cat isn’t attracted to catnip, don’t fret—a 2017 study published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research found that more cats actually responded positively to silver vine.
• Don’t force it. Place scent enrichment in areas where your cat feels safe, like the floor, a towel, or a dish. Allow your cat to explore and enjoy it at their own pace.
• Experiment: Cats might have preferences for fresh plants over dried. Different plants can also be found in powder or twig form. Experiment to find which ones your cat likes the most.
• Observe your cat’s behavior: While enjoying olfactory enrichment, watch for behaviors that indicate pleasure, like rubbing and rolling. If your cat seems overexcited and builds inhibitions, allow them to enjoy the experience alone.
• Clean up: Store catnip/scent toys when not in use; cats’ responses diminish when these items are left out continuously.

#2. Nosework For Cats: No Catnip Needed!

If your cat enjoys food, they can have fun engaging in nosework! Nosework is any activity that lets your cat use their sense of smell to explore their surroundings.

You may be familiar with dog training where they use their noses to locate things for humans—such as detecting drugs or identifying rare species. Many dog owners use nosework games to enrich their dogs’ lives. The great news is that cat owners can do the same!

Hanna Fushihara, a dog and cat trainer and the founder of Nosework Cats, offers online courses on nosework for cats. I asked her how readers could introduce these fun games into their routines and why they should consider it.

Fushihara recommends gradually increasing your cat’s food-finding skills. “Start with something simple and gradually create more challenging scent puzzles for them,” she suggests. “Your cat is naturally skilled at this, and your role is just to set up fun scenarios for them.” Fushihara has worked with various cats, including indoor cats, those enjoying supervised outdoor time, shelter cats, and cats with disabilities. “Any cat can do this!” she exclaims.

Fushihara suggests a simple game to get started: “In a small room, keep your cat out of sight initially and hide a few treats in different spots. Sit back and watch your cat find them! Pay attention to when your cat relies on their nose rather than their eyes.”

This activity is also a perfect opportunity to observe your cat’s behavior and appreciate how uniquely they experience their environment compared to us. Could you locate those treats by smell alone? (Note: This game can easily be adapted with wet food or lickables by placing small yogurt lids with a dab of food around the room).

Nosework encourages exploration, making it entertaining and empowering. Fushihara advises cat owners not to fuss over the end result but to enjoy the experience with their feline friends. “When playing hide-and-seek, it’s not about finding the person but rather the fun in looking for them. Similarly, for both cats and dogs, the search for the treat is what makes it exciting,” she states.

To dive deeper into Fushihara’s nosework programs, check out her social media accounts on @noseworkcats on Instagram and YouTube, and visit noseworkcats.com.

#3. Scent Distribution: Encouraging Natural Behavior

Cats have scent glands located on their cheeks, forehead, chin, and paws. When they rub against objects or scratch, they are leaving behind their scent. While we can’t detect these scents, cats certainly can. These scent markings form a significant part of how your cat claims their territory, similar to how we decorate our homes.

To support your cat’s need to scent-mark, consider these tips:

Avoid overpowering artificial scents or strong essential oils that might irritate your cat’s sensitive nose and potentially mask their natural scent trails.

Provide plenty of scratching options. Offering multiple scratching surfaces, both vertical and horizontal, is crucial. Research indicates that sisal and cardboard are preferred by most cats. Ensure scratching posts are tall and sturdy, located in areas where your cat likes to eat, rest, or greet you. Your furniture will thank you!

In addition, many cats enjoy rubbing against objects around the house. You can enhance this experience by setting up corner combers and self-grooming stations, such as the Catit Senses 2.0 Wellness Centre (cost: $40, catit.ca). This allows your cat to roll and rub as they please.

Showing love for our cats includes respecting their unique sense of smell. By fostering their natural, healthy, and enjoyable scent-related behaviors, we help them express their feline nature in an often overlooked way. In turn, we also cultivate a deeper appreciation for the capabilities of their noses that ours simply cannot match!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)