Why Do Cats Like Bleach – Is It Safe For Them?

Cat owners can witness some strange feline antics. From yowling at three in the morning to running after invisible prey – there’s a lot of stuff cats do that makes no sense. But lately, kitty-related chatter on the internet is abuzz with cats behaving strangely around bleach. So, why do cats like bleach?

Cats may like the smell of bleach because its main ingredient – chlorine. Chlorine has a pungent scent that may act as a pheromone and encourage behavior like purring and drooling. Smelling bleach can irritate a cat, however, it is not toxic to them unless ingested.

But, there’s more to the bizarre feline-bleach bleach saga. For example, not all cats experience a reaction to the smell of bleach. If you’re on the hunt to understand why your pet behaves strangely every time you wipe a surface with bleach – you’re in the right place. 

Stick with us as we break down the facts and myths surrounding why cats like bleach. 

Why Do Cats Like Bleach Smell

Pet experts and cat parents alike assume cats like bleach because they purr, drool, or roll around the area where they can smell the surface cleaner. The reactions felines exhibit are around the scent of bleach are so similar to how they react to catnip that any other conclusion seems impossible. 

But as why cats like the sharp smell of chlorine – that’s another story entirely. Since there’s no way of being sure why felines savor the smell of bleach, experts have come up with three convincing theories. Here’s what they are.

Chlorine Acting As A Phermone

Did you know a cat has approximately 200 million odor sensors in its nose? Humans have about 5 million odor sensors – so basically, a cat’s nose is way more powerful than ours. That’s also why cats rely on their sense of smell to identify their environment, family members, mates, etc. 

Pheromones (substances that trigger a social response in animals) are vital in feline mating, maternal bonding, territory marking, etc. 

So, when your cat picks up the scent of chlorine, it tends to react to it like it would to a pheromone. All the related behaviors cats exhibit around chlorine tend to point in that direction. 

Chlorine Acting As A Drug

We’ve all seen cats go ga-ga over catnip. There are entire video libraries dedicated to capturing the reaction of felines rolling around in catnip behaving almost drunk-like. But why does catnip have such an effect on cats in the first place?

The answer is catnip seems to trigger the ‘happy’ receptors in the feline brain. Researchers believe that nepetalactone (an oil present in catnip) enters a cat’s nasal tissue and binds with the receptors that stimulate sensory neurons. This, in turn, activates several regions of the feline brain, causing them to act out. 

Scientists believe that sniffing chlorine can have a similar effect on cats. Some substances present in the cleaner can stimulate the regions of the brain that cause your pet cat to salivate, roll on the floor, purr, etc. 

Chlorine Acting As An Alien Scent

Not all cats experience a positive to bleach. Some cats tend to sniff around the cleaner and act as if there’s an intruder about. That is, you’ll see them rubbing back and forth on the surface or dragging their butts on the floor. 

This type of behavior is often seen in felines that sense the presence of another animal in their territory. So when you see your pet rubbing itself all over the floor you just wiped with bleach, it’s trying to replace the intruder’s scent with its own. 

Why Don’t All Cats Like The Smell Of Bleach

It’s incredibly tricky to explain why all cats don’t react to bleach because the theories about why cats like bleach are just that – theories. 

However, there is a possible explanation. Just like a cat’s reaction to catnip is hereditary – a feline’s response to bleach may have something to do with its genes. 

Researchers exploring the cat-catnip phenomena discovered that at least one-third of the feline population lacks the ‘catnip gene.’ Without that particular gene, the oils in the catnip don’t cause any reaction when they bind to a cat’s sensory neurons. 

In short, maybe your cat doesn’t respond to the smell of bleach because it doesn’t have the hereditary genes required for a physiological reaction to occur. 

Is Bleach Harmful To Cats

A cat sniffing a floor or table you’ve just cleaned with bleach should be fine. But, here’s the thing. When you clean a surface with bleach, and your pet walks on it or somehow gets the cleaning agent on its paws – that can be dangerous. 

If your feline ends up ingesting bleach – that’s bad news because bleach is toxic for cats. Symptoms of bleach ingestion in cats include vomiting, stomach pains, excessive drooling, sore throat, etc. 

If you suspect your pet has ingested bleach or you happen to catch a whiff of bleach coming from its mouth, it’s best to give your cat some milk and then rush it to the vet. 

Don’t be tempted to induce vomiting, instead rely on your veterinarian to help your cat. With quick action and treatment, your cat will likely be back to its usual self in no time. 

Does The Smell Of Bleach Attract Cats To Pee

Just when you think this business between cats and bleach can’t get any weirder – it does. Some cats do indeed take to peeing in an area that smells of bleach. And you’re likely wondering why? 

The sharp scent of bleach can affect cats in different ways. Some cats respond to bleach as if they’re sniffing catnip – and act all goofy. Other times, however, felines can interpret that same smell as the scent of their urine. 

The chlorine present in bleach can appear to smell the same as their own pee. That’s why you might catch your cat answering the call of nature on a freshly mopped floor. Your kitty isn’t being evil or malicious; it just mistakenly thinks that’s one of its litter spots. 

Things To Consider

No matter how taken your feline is with the smell of bleach – it’s best to take precautions to ensure your pet’s health isn’t jeopardized in any way. Here’s how. 

Store The Bleach Where Your Cat Can’t Reach

Knowing how curious cats can be, you can’t put it past your pet to sniff its way to a bleach bottle and tip it over to explore what’s within. To avoid unpleasantness, it’s best to keep the bleach (and other cleaning agents) inside a cupboard where your feline can’t reach. 

Consider Switching To Natural Cleaning Products

If your cat is a bit of a bleach-sniffing addict, you can break it out of the habit by investing in a pet-friendly multi-surface cleaner. Plant-based cleaners are getting popular because they are safe to use around children and animals, and they don’t add to environmental pollution.