Chemistry of your pet cat; here are some things that you need to know

Cat, (Felis catus), also called house cat or domestic cat, domesticated member of the family Felidae, order Carnivora, and the smallest member of that family. Cats make great pets but here are some things that you need to know regarding basic chemistry of Cats. 

Why are some people allergic to cats? 

If you’re allergic to cats, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that between 10 and 30% of the general population are allergic to cats. 

The World Health Organisation recognises eight different cat allergens, designated Fel d 1–8. In this designation, ‘Fel d’ stands for the domestic cat’s Latin name, Felis domesticus.

Of the eight allergens, the primary allergen is Fel d 1, accounting for 60–90% of allergenic activity. Fel d 1 is a protein produced by oil-producing glands in the cat’s skin. It’s found in their skin, fur, and saliva, though its exact biological function is still unknown. Male cats produce higher levels of Fel d 1 than female cats. 

Allergy issues start when you inhale Fel d 1. In people who are allergic, this kicks off an immune response from your body. It produces antibodies against the protein. These antibodies trigger the release of histamine from mast cells, which in turn triggers the allergy symptoms of sneezing, sniffing, and so on.

There are ways of managing this if you’re allergic. Antihistamines are commonly taken for all sorts of allergies, and, as the name suggests, combat the action of histamine.

Why does cat pee smell so bad? 

There’s a chemical explanation for this too. Fresh cat urine doesn’t actually smell of much. But it doesn’t stay fresh for long. Bacterial breakdown of chemical components in the urine generate odorous compounds.

Key to this is a particular amino acid found in cat urine, appropriately named felinine. Enzymes break down felinine, producing ammonia, carbon dioxide, and a compound called 3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutan-1-ol (MMB). Ammonia is known for having a pungent odour, but the sulfur-containing MMB is a big contributor to the characteristic cat urine smell.

Another compound produced as cat urine ages is 4-methyl-4-sulfanylpentan-2-one, more commonly referred to as ‘cat ketone’. 

why do cats love catnip? 

Everyone knows cats go crazy for catnip. It’s an effect that’s been noted in scientific literature as far back as the 18th Century, when scientists observed that cats seemed to be attracted to catnip when the plant was withered or bruised. 

This behaviour is a response to a specific chemical, nepetalactone, a compound found in catnip, causes its weird effect on cats. It binds to receptors in the cat’s nasal tissue, which ultimately triggers responses in the brain similar to those seen for natural sex pheromones. Olfactory fatigue sets in after a short while, so the response is only exhibited for 10–15 minutes.

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