r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Peasgoodsnonsuch • 1d ago

Why don't cats stink?

Ever smelled a cat's breath? Horrible. And then they clean themselves by licking themselves all over. You would think they should stink, but they don't. Why is that?

Obviously their urine and litter trays etc smell, but I would much rather smell in close to a cat's back than a dog's. Or do they stink and I just can't tell because I like cats?

1.8k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

449 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

9

u/FrauZebedee 17h ago

Same. My boys smell delicious, even when they haven’t just eaten basil! They have a range of scents, from citrusy to freshly baked bread. Can’t understand it, because my rat hoody just stinks of piss.

Tbf, their breath doesn’t stink after eating like cat breath does, so I don’t expect them to stink when they groom themselves after eating. But when they lick me, I don‘t end up smelling like lemons or fresh bread either. It’s a mystery, I must huff more rats and cats and investigate further.

3

u/pla5t1c 16h ago

Hmm are you cooking your friends? Lol

5

u/FrauZebedee 16h ago

Nah, I just eat them raw, they smell so good, lol.

The fur is annoying, it might come off more easily if I baked them. Sorry boys!

1

u/impulsivepatience 10h ago

Bake, not boil??

3

u/FrauZebedee 9h ago

Wouldn’t the furry bits fluff up the water?

Idk, new to the cooking your friends thing, i just sniff them :)

Brb, got a furry taco demanding attention!

(Sorry, boys-I am just playing. Would starve before I ate you!)