How powerful is a cat’s sense of smell?

A cat's sense of smell is quite powerful and plays a crucial role in their daily life, from hunting to communication. Although not as keen as a dog's olfactory capabilities, a cat's sense of smell is still remarkable. Cats have around 200 million odor-sensitive cells in their noses, compared to about 5 million in humans. This means that a cat's sense of smell is about 14 times more sensitive than that of a human.

Cats rely on their sense of smell to detect food, potential threats, and even recognize the scent markings left by other cats to communicate territory boundaries. It also helps them in identifying their owners and socializing with other felines. In addition to their noses, cats have a specialized olfactory organ called the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson's organ) located in the roof of their mouths. This organ helps them detect pheromones and other chemical cues, further enhancing their olfactory capabilities.