WHAT ARE CAT PHEROMONES AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Bring up pheromones in casual conversation، and the responses might range from puzzlement to musings about whether those “pheromone perfumes" can really make you irresistible to the opposite sex. But cat pheromones are about a lot more than attraction; they help cats mark their territory and feel calm and secure. We're here to give you some of the facts (and maybe dispel a few myths) about the often-mysterious pheromones and how they work in the cat world.

What are pheromones?

Pheromones are chemical signals that many creatures use to communicate. Worker bees rally the rest of the hive by producing alarm pheromones when they perceive a threat. And pheromone markers are how a trail of ants quickly finds its way to the cookie you left on the counter. Though their effects have been noticed for centuries، the first pheromone wasn't actually identified until 1959 by German chemist Adolf Butenandt.1

We primarily hear about how mammals، like cats and dogs، use pheromones to attract or select mates. But they're also used for a variety of other functions from marking territory to appeasing newborn babies.

Which pheromones do cats have?

You might be surprised to learn there are many different types of cat pheromones. The feline facial pheromone (FFP) is used when cats rub their faces on furniture and other objects. They're marking these with a pheromone that signals the objects are familiar and safe. The facial pheromones are produced by glands around the cat's cheeks and chin. Cats may head bunt you to help put their scent on you and mark you as part of their colony.2

The cat appeasing pheromone، in contrast، is used by moms to appease newborn kittens، helping a nursing mother form a bond with her babies.