Scent activities do not need to be exclusive to just dogs! For those of you with cats, rabbits or guinea pigs, scent activities can be just as important to include in providing a rich and engaging lifestyle for your pet.
Cats and scent
Did you know that cats have a ‘second nose’?!
Also found in reptiles and non-human mammals, the vomeronasal, or Jacobson’s, organ, is located in the roof of the cats’ mouth and helps them to identify and process smells and taste. This is why you may have seen your cat with their mouth open, lips curled and sucking in air – known as the flehmen response, this helps the cat draw in the scent particles towards the vomeronasal gland more effectively.
For cats, smell plays a crucial part in hunting and with 200 million scent receptors they can put their scent skills to good use by sniffing out their prey, locating mates, communicating with other cats and even marking territories.
Cats have scent glands located all across their body, some of the most dominant being found in their ears, cheeks, chin, tails and interdigital- between their toes!
This is why cats love to scratch, as it gives them an opportunity to distribute their scent, mark territories and even bond as leaving their scent on familiar objects shows their sense of comfort and security.
Scent and small animals
A rabbit’s or guinea pig’s smelling skills may not be quite as good as a cat, but with 100 million scent receptors, it is still approximately 20 times better than a human’s sense of smell!
As prey animals, rabbits and guinea pigs rely on their senses for survival so as well as incredible hearing, both will use their sense of smell to help detect dangers, source food, find a mate and communicate with others of their species.
This is also why you will see your rabbits constantly with a twitchy nose. They are simply opening their nasal passages wider to allow for a better flow of scent particles in, allowing an opportunity to smell for danger. The faster your bunny twitches their nose, the more likely they are uncertain or on high alert about something and are trying to gain smell confirmation of any dangers or threats, and they can be known to twitch their noses as many as 150 times per minute!
Guinea pig owners may recognise a raised nose in the air, allowing them to pick up a scent more effectively and smell if danger (or food!) is approaching.
When it comes to smell, it is important to consider how some aromas within the home may cause upset or discomfort to your pet. Simple things such as floor cleaners, smells from cooking or air fresheners/ diffusers may be something you haven’t factored as a cause of upset for your small animal or cat, and in some cases could be fatal – certain essential oils should be avoided around your pets as they are known to cause harm.
PDSA have more details on which to avoid at Cats and essential oils – PDSA
Time to get gardening!
A great and simple way to allow your pet the chance to get their noses working in a natural way is to get planting! By providing your pet an opportunity to forage and sniff amongst safe plants it will help to destress and allows for natural behaviours.
Here is a list of plants you can pop in your garden which your pet will find scent-sational!
Plants for cats
Catnip – A classic that most will recognise! This plant will have a euphoric effect on many cats or can even be sedating, sending them into a more sleepy and relaxed state. Interestingly, some cats will have no reaction to catnip exposure.
Valerian Root – Similar to the catnip plant but creating a different chemical reaction, making this a great choice for those cats who are less reactive to catnip.
Olive leaves – Olives can be a great choice for relaxing more skittish or nervous cats, containing oleuropein, a compound with narcotic qualities for helping calm.
Cat Thyme– This has a similar soothing effect to catnip.
Basil– Belonging to the catnip family, basil is a firm favourite for many cats!
Non-citrus fruits – Cats may enjoy the smells of certain fruits, such as a strawberries or watermelon. Just be sure to avoid grapes/raisins as these are toxic to many pets.
Catnip
Plants for rabbits and guinea pigs
Dandelions – It may be considered a weed to us humans, but dandelions are a huge favourite for rabbits and guinea pigs to nibble on. Forage for leaves whilst out on walks and bring back for your pet to enjoy!
Vegetables– From cucumber to green beans, peas to curly kale, rabbits and guinea pigs will enjoy a small taste of these home-grown vegetables. Just be cautious with not giving too much carrot as this can be high in sugars and bad for your rabbit or rodent’s teeth.
Herbs – Peppermint, Lemon balm, Dill, Basil, Oregano and much more– not only will these add a pleasant aroma to your garden, but they will make a lovely, scented snack for your rabbit/guinea pig too!
Homemade scent fun
It can be easy to make scent toys or activities for your cats and small animals at home and they don’t need to expensive, instead using things that are lying around the home or in your recycling boxes.
Here are just a few ideas to inspire you to get making today! Click on an image to enlarge.
