Cats Recognize Their Owners By Smell, According To New Study

Researchers have discovered that cats can indeed recognize their owners. However, it might not be in the way most people believe. A new study suggests that cats primarily use their sense of smell for this recognition.This research, published in the journal PLOS One, sheds light on the feline ability to identify humans. While previous studies showed that 54% of cats recognize their owners by face, scientists have now found another key factor. Cats can identify people through scent.The experiment involved presenting cats with plastic containers holding scent samples. These samples included the cat's owner, a stranger, or nothing at all. The results showed that cats spent more time investigating the scent of a stranger compared to their owner's scent or an empty container.Interestingly, cats tend to sniff familiar scents with their left nostril. Unfamiliar scents are often sniffed with the right nostril. This suggests that cats process new information using the right hemisphere of their brain.Julia Hennings, a cat behavior researcher at the University of Adelaide, explains that cats rely on scent to gather information. They use it to navigate their social circles. Familiar scents can also reassure cats, reducing stress and promoting a sense of security.