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What Is a Scent Soaker for Cats? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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Vet approved

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Lauren Demos

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Whether you’re getting ready to get your first cat or you’re a more experienced cat owner, there are tons of new terms to learn. “Scent soakers” is one of those terms, and while you might not be familiar with the term scent soaker, you probably already have a pretty good idea of what it is.

Scent soakers are objects your cat can easily spread their scent to and mark as their own, and it’s an important part of keeping your cat happy. It might not seem like much, but it’s important for your cat, and it’s why we came up with this guide to break down everything you need to know!

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What Is a Scent Soaker?

A scent soaker for a cat is any porous surface that will absorb your cat’s scent. While this might sound like a bad thing if you don’t want a home that smells like a cat, it’s an essential part of keeping your fur baby happy and healthy.

You might not want an object that smells like a cat, but controlling what objects they can spread their scent to is the best way to keep your entire home from smelling like one!

cat rubbing against the sofa to show territory
Image Credit to: bombermoon, Shutterstock

Why Your Cat Needs a Scent Soaker

Cats mark their territory through scent, and if they don’t have a scent soaker that makes it easy for them to spread their pheromones, they might take more drastic measures to spread their scent.

Scent soakers allow your cat to mark their territory simply by rubbing up against it, and may prevent cats from using other means of marking territory such as scratching and urination. Nobody wants that, so it’s a good idea to add a few scent soakers to your home!

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What Kind of Scent Soakers Can You Get?

Now that you know about the importance of scent soakers, it’s time to get a few for your home! Below, we’ve highlighted four different types of objects that you can get that make outstanding scent soakers for your cat.

Cat Beds

Everyone needs a comfy bed, right? This is the perfect opportunity to give your cat a place they can call their own and spread their scent. Cat beds are typically soft and porous, making them an outstanding scent soaker.

Find a comfortable cat bed for them and then put it in one of their favorite locations and your cat should do the rest!

Cardboard Scratchers

Cats need scratchers to trim their claws, and they have a porous surface that works great as a scent soaker. Adding a few cardboard scratchers throughout your home is a great way to check off multiple boxes for your cat at once.

Just keep in mind that cardboard scratchers wear out, so you’ll need to replace them every few months if your cat likes using them.

Cat Towers

Cat towers are usually a fan favorite for cats. Cats love climbing up them and they often have multiple areas for your cat to stretch out and spread their scent. Cat towers often combine a few scent soakers into a single object, making it a clear place your cat can call their own.

Rugs or Blankets

While you might prefer a dedicated cat bed, typically, rugs and blankets will work in much the same way. They’re porous objects that quickly absorb scents, which is ideal for a scent soaker. We recommend giving your cat a dedicated blanket or rug and then putting it in one of their favorite locations for ideal results.

A ginger cat burying his head in a blanket
Image Credit to: Ellen Reidy, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about scent soakers and why your cat needs them, all that’s left is for you to pick up a few for your home. Controlling where your cat spreads their scent is the first step in keeping your cats from overtaking your home, and everyone will be a bit happier with that!

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