Bombastic Side-Eye: Why Cats Sneer

Ever seen a cat give you that cheeky, sassy sneer? It’s as if they’re silently judging your life choices or perhaps just that new sweater. In reality, it’s not personal disdain or a critique of fashion. Cats have a Jacobson’s, or vomeronasal organ, located on the roof of their mouths.

When they catch an interesting scent, they might open their mouths slightly to funnel the aroma directly to this organ, aiding in analysis. This “sneering” behavior is called the Flehmen response. So, that smirk isn’t your kitty throwing shade; they’re just engaging in some deep olfactory pondering. It turns out cats are the original scent sommeliers.