Cats are unusual and interesting animals that amaze with their physiology. In this article, we will talk about how cats distinguish smells.
How is the sense of smell in cats
Scientists believe that the cat's nose works like a gas chromatograph. It is a complex chemical device that separates compounds based on their solubility.
The researchers analyzed the design of the cat's nose using computed tomography. A computer model has shown that the flow of air in a cat's nose is channeled into a vast network of sensor-studded channels called turbinates.
The spiral olfactory device is more efficient and accommodates more olfactory receptors than the straight canal, as in amphibians and some mammals.
When an animal takes a breath, the air flow is divided in two: for breathing and smelling.
Cats use their sense of smell to find food, prey, and to communicate with their relatives, buddies, and strangers.
Previous research has shown that dogs, rats, and lynxes also have spiral turbinates.
This fact explains why cats often wince or cover their nose with their paws when they smell strong or unpleasant odors.
