How Would a Household Cat’s Life Change Without a Sense of Smell?

While it's not uncommon for elderly cats to experience a reduction in their sense of smell, complete loss can have various impacts on their daily life. Understanding these changes can help owners better support their feline companions.

Introduction to Feline Sense of Smell

Smell is a critical sense for cats, serving multiple purposes such as hunting, territory marking, and social interactions. For younger and older cats alike, the loss of this sense can affect their behavior and overall well-being.

Environmental and Behavioral Adjustments

One of the most significant changes a cat might experience with a loss of smell is a decrease in their ability to detect food. This means that feeding times might become less exciting and engaging for them.
However, as the article points out, if the loss of smell is not complete, there might still be observable changes. Here are the possible scenarios:

Sniffing Out Food and Prey

Cats rely on their sense of smell to find prey and explore their environment. A cat losing its sense of smell would struggle to locate pieces of food or potential prey. This loss might be less noticeable if the cat is more than an occasional hunter, as hunting isn't as common in household settings. However, pointing out treats or kibbles might help the cat locate its meals.

Affect on Appetite

Smell is closely linked to taste in cats. A reduction in smell could potentially affect their appetite. If the cat is not eating, switching to foods with a stronger scent might help. Exceptionally stinky cat foods have been known to encourage cats to eat due to the heightened stimulation of their remaining senses.

Relaxation and Territorial Behavior

Cats use scent markers to demarcate their territory, and their reduced sense of smell might make them feel more at ease. They might be less anxious about other animals' scent markers, which could lead to a more relaxed demeanor. However, male cats might overcompensate by spraying more to mark their territory, while both genders might increase rubbing to leave their own scent markers.

Conclusion and Support for Feline Sensory Loss

While a loss of sense of smell can affect your cat's behavior and their ability to interact with the world around them, it's not necessarily the end of the world. Many changes can be managed with a bit of adjustment and support from owners. Ensuring a regular feeding schedule, engaging meal times, and monitoring their overall health will help maintain your cat's quality of life even with sensory changes.