The Mystery Behind Your Cat's Bleach Obsession Explained

Cats are curious by nature. In a home, their curiosity leads to exploring high and enclosed places like countertops and closets. It's also common to find cats hanging out in windows, but sometimes certain smells are what pique their interest, and not just the food smells. Some cats fancy the chemical aroma of chlorine bleach. Cat parents on social media have reported finding their felines rolling around in areas that were recently sprayed with bleach. The question is, why? Experts believe a cat's obsession with bleach stems either from their approval or from their fear of the scent, based on their pheromonal response.

Before addressing why cats like wearing bleach like it's perfume, it's important to first consider what draws them to it in the first place. After all, other potent aromas can waft through the air without stimulating a cat to find and explore the source. What makes bleach so different? It's the similarity between the smell and that of cat pheromones in urine — the chemical molecules that cats release and use to communicate. When a cat gets a whiff of bleach, they're not just smelling a household cleaning agent; they're detecting a message that demands to be interpreted.

Shortly after a cat urinates, bacteria in the urine releases ammonia gas which emits a strong odor that's similar to chlorine bleach. This similarity causes cats to mistake bleach for the urine of another cat. After the aroma lures a cat in, the exposure leads to what appears to be a pheromonal reaction.

Cats release pheromones naturally in their urine via their anal glands, which sends a message to other cats that smell it. Veterinary professionals believe the message that a cat receives after smelling chlorine is similar to the one associated with smelling cat urine. This communication can be positive or neutral, such as when it involves mating, territorial marking, or maternal bonding. In some instances, however, the odor can cause a cat to feel threatened. If your cat has never smelled chlorine bleach before, they may interpret the scent as that of an intrusive cat when they do smell it. They might respond defensively with an attempt to mask the offensive stench by rolling around in it to release pheromones from their cheeks, chin, forehead, and paw pads. 

Regardless of the reason for the obsession, it's best to keep your cat away from any bleach in your home, as it can be dangerous for them. You may even want to reconsider using bleach to clean your home altogether. You can find many pet-safe cleaning products to use in its place. In addition, your cat will likely also appreciate not having the confusingly scented signal, too.