You buy them a $50 orthopedic bed, and they sleep on your dirty gym shoes. You buy them organic salmon treats, and they try to eat a plastic bag.
Living with a cat often feels like living with a tiny, illogical alien. But in the feline world, these weird obsessions make perfect sense. Cats experience the world primarily through scent and texture, and many household items accidentally mimic the biological signals of food or mates.
Here is the scientific breakdown of why your cat loves the weirdest things in your house.
Key Takeaways
- Bleach: The smell of chlorine mimics cat mating pheromones.
- Plastic Bags: Many plastics are coated in animal fat (stearic acid) or cornstarch.
- Earwax: It contains fatty acids and cholesterol, making it a tasty protein snack.
- Shoes: Your feet release the most pheromones, making your shoes a "scent security blanket."
1. The Bleach Mystery (The Olfactory High)
Have you ever cleaned your bathroom with bleach, only to find your cat rolling around on the floor purring and drooling?
It looks like they are having a seizure, but they are actually "high."
- The Science: The chemical structure of chlorine (found in bleach) is strikingly similar to feline sex pheromones present in cat urine.
- The Reaction: For many cats, the scent of bleach triggers the Flehmen Response (that funny face they make) and a euphoric reaction similar to Catnip or Silvervine.
Warning: Smelling the fumes is usually harmless, but licking a surface wet with bleach is toxic. Keep them away until the floor is dry.
2. The Plastic Bag Addiction
Why do cats lick grocery bags?
It is not just the fun "crinkle" sound that mimics a mouse in dry leaves. It is the taste.
- The Secret Ingredient: Manufacturers often use Stearic Acid as a "slip agent" to prevent plastic bags from sticking together. Stearic acid is derived from animal fat (tallow).
- The Result: To your cat, that plastic bag literally tastes like a hamburger. Some biodegradable bags are also made with cornstarch, which is another attractive food smell.
Safety Alert: If your cat chews and swallows the plastic, it can cause a fatal intestinal blockage.
3. The Earwax Snack
This is undeniably gross, but many cats love to lick used Q-tips or even try to clean your ears directly.
- The Nutrition: Earwax (Cerumen) is made of dead skin cells, fatty acids, and cholesterol. To an obligate carnivore, this smells like a high-protein, high-fat nutritional supplement.
- The Bond: In the wild, cats groom each other to strengthen social bonds. Cleaning your ears is their way of grooming you. They think you are terrible at cleaning yourself, so they are helping out.
4. The Hair Tie Thief
If you have long hair, you probably lose hair ties constantly. Check under the sofa.
Cats love hair ties for two reasons:
- Scent: The elastic absorbs the oils and sebum from your scalp. It smells intensely like "Mom" or "Dad."
- Texture: The rubbery, bouncy texture feels like the tendons of prey when they bite into it.
Danger: Hair ties are the #1 foreign body surgically removed from cats. If swallowed, they do not pass. They bunch up and cut through the intestines. Keep them locked away.
5. The Shoe Fetish
Why do they sleep on your shoes, especially after you have been to the gym?
Cats are territorial. They feel safest when they are surrounded by the scent of their "colony" (you). Humans have a high concentration of sweat glands in their feet.
- The Meaning: Your shoes are the most potent "scent beacon" of you in the house. By sleeping on them, your cat is wrapping themselves in your smell. It is an act of love and comfort, not a weird foot fetish.
Why does my cat like the smell of bleach?
The chemical structure of chlorine gas in bleach smells almost identical to feline pheromones found in urine. It triggers a euphoric hormonal response, similar to catnip, making them roll around and drool.
Is it safe for cats to lick photographs?
No. Older photographs used gelatin (animal bone derivative) in the development process, which cats love to taste. However, the chemicals used in photo processing are toxic. Keep old albums away from curious tongues.
Why does my cat eat my hair?
Chewing human hair is a form of social grooming (Allogrooming). They are trying to clean you and mix their scent with yours. It is a sign of affection, though it can be annoying (and dangerous if they swallow long strands).
Frequently Asked Questions
Old-school photo prints were developed using gelatin (animal bone derivative) in the emulsion layer. Your cat is tasting the animal bones on the paper.
They likely hear something you can't (like a mouse in the wall or water in pipes) or see dust motes floating in the light. Their senses are much sharper than yours; they aren't seeing ghosts.
It is gross, but cats prefer running or fresh water. To them, the toilet is a 'porcelain fountain' that is flushed regularly, making the water cooler and fresher than the stagnant water in their bowl. Get a cat water fountain to stop this habit.
