Unlocking the Mysteries of Cats' Senses: Smell & Hearin
Cats possess an exceptional sense of hearing! They can detect lowfrequency sounds similar to humans, but their ability to pick up highfrequency sounds is three times more sensitive. With approximately 40,000 bundles of auditory nerve fibers, cats have more than four times the number found in humans. Their ears are also muscularly robust, capable of rotating up to 180 degrees to track the source of a sound, allowing them to pinpoint the location of prey with remarkable accuracy.
Their sense of touch is primarily facilitated by the 30 whiskers on their faces. These whiskers help cats navigate in lowlight conditions, determining the width of spaces, obstacles, and even prey. Additionally, whiskers located on the back of a cat's front paws aid in exploring terrain and detecting prey.
When it comes to vision, cats actually have a less acute sense than humans. Although they have seemingly sharp eyes, their vision is roughly onetenth that of humans, enabling them to clearly see stationary objects only from about 10 to 20 meters away. Objects too close or too far are often out of focus. However, cats have a wide field of vision, up to 280 degrees, and their dynamic vision is highly sensitive, complemented by their keen hearing. This allows them to detect prey from as far as 50 meters away.
Cats have an olfactory sense that is tens of thousands of times more developed than that of humans. Their sense of smell is their most crucial skill. Even if a cat loses its vision and hearing, with proper care, it can still live. However, if it loses its sense of smell, it will be unable to distinguish the scents of its owner, companions, or food, leading to immediate difficulties in daily life.
In terms of taste, cats are not particularly sensitive to salty or sweet flavors, but they are highly attuned to acidity, which helps them determine if food has gone bad. Cats also have stringent requirements for the taste of water, preferring fresh sources. This is why you might find your cat lapping up water from the faucet on the sink—a behavior some cat owners might interpret as pickiness, but it's actually their pursuit of fresh food and water.
Most cats do not lose their sense of smell, but it can occur in cases of feline rhinitis. Why is feline rhinitis often referred to as a "killer" for kittens? It's because the loss of smell can prevent them from identifying food, leading to a loss of appetite and, subsequently, a weakened immune system against viruses. In such cases, owners may need to forcefeed their cats to help them through this challenging time.
