Cats Use Fatty Acids in Urine as Unique Chemical Identifiers, Study Shows

A new study has found that cats use specific branched-chain fatty acids present in their urine to chemically identify themselves to other felines. These compounds create long-lasting scent trails that cats can recognize even after the odor has significantly faded. Researchers suggest that the kidneys may play a role in storing and releasing these scent molecules. The findings shed new light on how cats communicate and distinguish individuals within their social groups.