Why don't my cats smell like cat spit?

[YDogg]

I mean, when one of them licks my finger, and I smell my finger, it smells of cat spit. But when they bathe themselves, they don't smell like cat spit. What up with that?

[Bill McBlueState]

1. that's a good question

I never understood why "covering yourself with your own saliva" counts as taking a bath in the cat world. Maybe they have special saliva they use when they clean themselves that doesn't stink.

[YDogg]

3. if only i could train my dog to bathe himself.

[Orsino]

2. I think they use just enough saliva...

...that dirt adheres to the tongue. I've had kitty kisses, and they feel dry as well as rough.

[YDogg]

4. hmmm. it does feel a bit like being scratched with sandpaper.

[ReadTomPaine]

5. They do.

;)

[YDogg]

7. so, maybe it's just me?

[ReadTomPaine]

9. I'm just teasing ya!

I have, however, been to my share of homes where the cat odor is quite strong. Being allergic, the first thing I'll mention to avoid a sneezing fit is "do you have cats?" and I'll invariably get asked how I know.

When I mention the scent they get offended - "No you can't smell anything, you just hate cats!" Ummm, no I can smell em'. Cats have quite a distinct and noticeable odor. Then again my sniffer is very sharp.. so YMMV!

[YDogg]

10. I must have lost my sensitivity to cat aromas.

Litter is another issue, but maybe I've just been around them too long. Two cats live here, and they are pretty neat to let us live with them.

[spacelady]

6. Our cat eats her stinky food, licks herself & ends up smelling

like baby powder! That is some weird chemistry going on!

[YDogg]

8. our dog eats "kitty bon-bons" and just smells like a happy ol' dog