Do Cats Make Your Home Smell?

[Psinter]

A question for cat owners.

One day I hope to get a pet. Until then, I gather information first. I'm primarily concerned about smells. A bunny is on the list yes or yes. I don't care if it smells because I will love it lots anyways.

I was thinking that maybe a cat would be cool too. Just two: a bunny and a cat.

Cat owners, do cats smell? Will they make the place smell even after being properly bathed and taken good care of? How about the place where they make number 1 and number 2, does that releases smell?

 

[Mark44]

A question for cat owners.

One day I hope to get a pet. Until then, I gather information first. I'm primarily concerned about smells. A bunny is on the list yes or yes. I don't care if it smells because I will love it lots anyways.

I was thinking that maybe a cat would be cool too. Just two: a bunny and a cat.

Cat owners, do cats smell? Will they make the place smell even after being properly bathed and taken good care of?

Yes and no. If they're healthy, they don't smell, but unspayed male cats often will mark their territory by backing up to a wall or piece of furniture and spraying it. See http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Male-Cat-from-Spraying.
This spraying behavior is a form of communication, and it has a stronger smell than ordinary cat pee.

How about the place where they make number 1 and number 2, does that releases smell?

I take it that you have never had a cat before. A litter box doesn't have too much of a smell, as long as you have some absorbent, odor-reducing cat litter for them to go in, and you clean it on a regular basis. If it gets too smelly, they will find some other place to go.

The last cat I had was with me for 15+ years. She would usually do her business outside, and would use the litter box only when I was gone one to three days. As a result, I didn't need to clean her litter box very much, as she hardly ever used it.

 

[zoobyshoe]

The cat, itself, doesn't have any particular odor. Cats don't have to be bathed at all. A healthy cat grooms itself several times a day. (I think people who bath their cats are interfering with a remarkable natural self-cleaning system that does not need fixing.)

The litter box is another story. It has to be tended to every day.

 

[OCR]

...being properly bathed...

You might find that bathing a cat could be somewhat of a problem ... lol
Cats usually spend a lot of time bathing themselves.

How about the place where they make number 1 and number 2, does that releases smell?

If you don't change their litter regularly, it can ....

...do cats smell?

Yes, they smell with their nose, but they hardly ever, ever stink ...

Sometimes their breath might be a "little off" ... and once in awhile, they might release a little intestinal gas ....

You get used to that though... after all, you're its human... .

 

[Psinter]

Yes and no. If they're healthy, they don't smell, but unspayed male cats often will mark their territory by backing up to a wall or piece of furniture and spraying it. See http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Male-Cat-from-Spraying.
This spraying behavior is a form of communication, and it has a stronger smell than ordinary cat pee.

Thanks for the info. I read everything there. I also looked for information on neutering and spaying.

Spoiler

For a while there, made me wonder if humans can also be spayed/neutered and whether that would change their behavior too for the better, but that would be off topic. I made this thread to ask about cats, not humans. It just came as a random thought.

I have been reading differences between female cats and a male cats. They are all opinions. But it is okay, I want to know others' opinions too. From what I have read, most people appear to have the opinion that neutered male cats are more affectionate and mellow. But those are their opinions and some state that gender has nothing to do. That such are simply people's observations on their specific cats. I read the breed says more about their personality. Whether they are very independent or smoochy.

I take it that you have never had a cat before.

No. I only had one in a video game. Not in real life. It would attack me if I didn't give it what it wanted. But gosh, the food was expensive in the video game. It ate so much I had to make a warehouse and fill it with cat food .

The cat, itself, doesn't have any particular odor. Cats don't have to be bathed at all. A healthy cat grooms itself several times a day.

I see. I thought it had to be bathed every certain time like dogs. But that's good. It tells me a cat would be a good choice then.

You might find that bathing a cat could be somewhat of a problem ... lol
Cats usually spend a lot of time bathing themselves.

Oh, I have seen the videos .

Sometimes their breath might be a "little off" ... and once in awhile, they might release a little intestinal gas ....

Blagh. I hope I am not nearby when.

 

[Student100]

No need to ever bathe a cat unless it has fleas or something.

Rabbit is going to stink 1000x worse, but they taste oh so good.

Make sure you understand the way rabbits digestive system works: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-rabbit-eat-his-poop

 

[Borek]

About bathing cats: in general it is not necessary, but some breeds (longhairs) do require additional attention, as they are not able to deal with their fur properly on their own. It doesn't necessarily mean bathing, but definitely grooming and a haircut once or twice a year.

Most breeds will deal with their fur on their own, just occasionally regurgitating hairballs.

Also note: some breeds keep low to the ground, but some will live in 3D. In such a case assume this is just a way it is going to be, you won't change cat habits

 

[zoobyshoe]

Also note: some breeds keep low to the ground, but some will live in 3D. In such a case assume this is just a way it is going to be, you won't change cat habits

In fact, any high perches you can supply them with, or allow them to commandeer, will make your cat feel more secure and mentally healthy. It keeps them safe from predators and also allows them to drop down from above onto their prey. The fact there won't be either in your house doesn't matter to them; it's the principle.

 

[Psinter]

Rabbit is going to stink 1000x worse, but they taste oh so good.

No, don't say that . Bunnies are not for eats!

About bathing cats: in general it is not necessary, but some breeds (longhairs) do require additional attention, as they are not able to deal with their fur properly on their own. It doesn't necessarily mean bathing, but definitely grooming and a haircut once or twice a year.

Most breeds will deal with their fur on their own, just occasionally regurgitating hairballs.

I will keep that in mind when choosing.

Also note: some breeds keep low to the ground, but some will live in 3D. In such a case assume this is just a way it is going to be, you won't change cat habits

H... how did it got up there?

In fact, any high perches you can supply them with, or allow them to commandeer, will make your cat feel more secure and mentally healthy.

Oh I have high places.

 

[Borek]

H... how did it got up there?

Direct jump from the countertop to the top of the wall cabinet (in a place bit to the left, not visible on the picture, but these are exactly the same levels you see). Then whole top is hers.

But in general don't expect to know how your cat got there. It just did.

 

[Psinter]

Direct jump from the countertop to the top of the wall cabinet (in a place bit to the left, not visible on the picture, but these are exactly the same levels you see). Then whole top is hers.

Ohhhhh. She must like it up there then.

I didn't know it was your cat. As a side note, your kitchen looks awesome. It looks better than mine. I like it.

But in general don't expect to know how your cat got there. It just did.

 

[OCR]

But in general don't expect to know how your cat got there.

It's actually very simple... they defy gravity....

 

[Borek]

I didn't know it was your cat.

It is not, we were cat sitting. Our cat was never up there. Actually not even on the countertop. Cats are different.

 

[Psinter]

It is not, we were cat sitting. Our cat was never up there. Actually not even on the countertop. Cats are different.

Oh I see.

She's ninja cat.

 

[Mark44]

No, don't say that . Bunnies are not for eats!

They taste like chicken. Only difference is there are four drumsticks, not two.

 

[Mark44]

No. I only had one in a video game.

Definitely not the same. My cat would occasionally catch a bird and leave it on the doorstep. She was showing me that she was on the job and earning her keep.

 

[Psinter]

They taste like chicken. Only difference is there are four drumsticks, not two.

Nooooooooooooooo .

 

[BillTre]

Cats can not taste sweets.
I can't say what they taste like though.

I can certainly smell cats when I go into a place where cats live, not that it is necessarily a bad thing. But at times it can be.
On the other hand, I am allergic to cats (their dander that is).

 

[Borek]

No idea what is the taste of the cat, but some probably do.

 

[Psinter]

can certainly smell cats when I go into a place where cats live, not that it is necessarily a bad thing. But at times it can be.
On the other hand, I am allergic to cats (their dander that is).

You can smell them? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

I didn't know cats had dander. Thanks for that piece of information . I don't know if I am allergic to their dander. Must ask someone who has cats if I can live with them for a while to see how I feel. Although I don't know if an allergist would have tests for that.

No idea what is the taste of the cat, but some probably do.

The face of the kid at the last chair next to the wall.

 

[BillTre]

I don't think the smell and the allergy are directly related.

 

[Mark44]

I don't think the smell and the allergy are directly related.

I don't either. As I understand it, people who are allergic to cats are allergic to their dander, which is little bits of their dried saliva, that comes from them grooming themselves. That and possibly their fur, but I'm not sure that it isn't solely from their dander.

Although I don't know if an allergist would have tests for that.

They might. Cat dander is a common allergen that affects certain people.

 

[UsableThought]

How about the place where they make number 1 and number 2, does that releases smell?

Oh my god yes.

You must keep the litter box clean. Cats are diligent, indeed obsessed with trying to bury their poo; but they aren't always skillful at it, especially once they start getting old. Depending on diet a fresh, uncovered cat turd can be one of the grossest smells imaginable; and cat pee is not an especially pleasant odor either. So you must groom the litter box daily or even twice daily.

If you really must have no odor, you can apparently teach your cat to use the toilet. They can do everything necessary at the toilet except flush.

 

[BillTre]

I don't know if an allergist would have tests for that.

They do have such tests. They also have them for pollen, dogs, and birds. I have had them all.

 

[Psinter]

Oh my god yes.

You must keep the litter box clean.

Understood.

If you really must have no odor, you can apparently teach your cat to use the toilet.

Not really absolutely no odor. It's just that I know for sure that some pets smell and I don't want to get one that later is like that.

What you say struck me as a little funny because I had never heard of a cat using a toilet and I'm trying to imagine one using the toilet . In my head it's funny.

 

[UsableThought]

What you say struck me as a little funny because I had never heard of a cat using a toilet and I'm trying to imagine one using the toilet

About a thousand videos on YouTube - e.g.