Why Can’t This Guy Stop Sneering?

Ever noticed that sassy sneer on your cats’ faces? Let us clue you in on their secret sniffing technique: it is called the “Flehmen response,” and it is like their own version of CSI—but this time, it stands for Cat Scent Investigation. When they catch a whiff of something fascinating, they raise their noses and expose their pearly whites.

But it’s not a snooty sneer; oh no. Cats use their vomeronasal organ at the roof of their mouths to thoroughly analyze that captivating scent. If you spot your cat with a savvy sneer, know it’s a scent sleuth on a fragrant mission!

Next: Why a cat’s tongue won’t stay inside its mouth.