Seamus doesn't seem congested, but lately he's been holding his mouth open. Which is strange for him since he never just walks around or sits there with his mouth hanging open. Does it aid in his smelling? I'm not really worried or anything, I just thought it was weird.
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Open mouthed breathing?
- Thread starter erinandseamus
- Start Date
Cats do have a jacobson's organ in the roof of their mouth.
Opening the mouth while testing a scent is how the use this organ.
Perhaps that is what you're seeing?
Sometimes it's accompanied by a really strange facial expression.
Opening the mouth while testing a scent is how the use this organ.
Perhaps that is what you're seeing?
Sometimes it's accompanied by a really strange facial expression.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Perhaps that's what it is. What does this organ do, just help them smell?
It tells them great details about what they smell.
For instance, if sniffing at urine it can tell them species, gender if it is their own species, how long ago it was left, and the relative health of the animal that left it.
For instance, if sniffing at urine it can tell them species, gender if it is their own species, how long ago it was left, and the relative health of the animal that left it.
How long is your cat doing it for? The jacobson's organ open-mouthed smelling is brief. It's a handful of seconds, really.
