Can Cats Smell Cancer?

Studies have shown that dogs can detect cancer, but can cats? Right now, there is no scientific evidence to prove that a cat can smell cancer. But it’s worth noting that cats have incredibly keen senses of smell, allowing them to pick up on subtle odor changes that we might miss. And there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests cats can smell cancer. So, how is it possible for cats to smell cancer? Read on to learn more.

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How do cats smell cancer?

Both dogs and cats can have more than 200 million olfactory receptors, depending on their breed and genetics. A cat’s sense of smell far surpasses that of a human, who has measly five million scent receptors.

Like dogs, cats also have a vomeronasal organ, known as Jacobson’s organ, which allows them to detect extra pheromones and chemical scents. This scent organ is activated when a cat wrinkles their nose and lets their tongue hang out. Many pet parents know this as the “stink face,” but scientists refer to this strange cat expression as the flehmen response. So, how can cats detect cancer? It’s that keen sense of smell that allows them to detect changes in a body.

Scent detection training

Dogs, unlike cats, have been the subject of significant research in the past decade — probably due to how embedded they are in our culture and how long they’ve been hanging around us. Because of all this research, we know a bit more about how animals can detect cancer and other diseases.

Trainers set up dogs in controlled environments, showing them samples of both diseased and non-diseased tissue. As the dogs smell the diseased samples, trainers reward them. As training continues, the dogs learn to associate detecting the right scent and giving a cue (such as sitting and making eye contact with their handler) with receiving a reward.

The scents in detection training are volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs). Rather than a single chemical note, researchers believe that dogs can detect the cancer “signature.” And they’re really good at it, too, with some studies showing that dogs have an accuracy rate of up to 97 percent. Wow!

This is something that isn’t as possible with electronic sensors, for now. But because animals can detect molecules at levels as low as parts per trillion, it’s possible.

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Cancer-sniffing cats

But what about cats? Could they have the same cancer-detecting superpowers as dogs? Although dogs are generally considered to have far superior senses of smell than cats, one study suggests cats may actually be better at discerning between different smells.

Monique Udell, co-author of the study, suggests that eventually cats could be trained similarly to scent-detection dogs. “Given the importance of olfaction in cat sensory perception,” she writes, “cats could be trained to discriminate between a variety of odors, therefore serving in working roles for detecting specific humans, medical scent detection, bomb-sniffing, or drug-sniffing.”

Cats almost certainly do have the ability to detect cancer, but they aren’t always known for their eagerness to please. Researchers have found that cats show less motivation to work for rewards, making them an exception compared to other animals tested over the years. Any cat parent can attest that felines tend to do their own thing, only showing interest on their terms. That doesn’t mean they can’t be trained to participate in these roles — it just means the process will likely look different for them. As research continues to expand on cats, we’ll learn more about their abilities. In the meantime, dogs will likely need to continue leading the way in cancer detection.

My cat keeps pawing at a spot on my body — should I worry? 

This probably doesn’t mean anything if your pet is smelling or pawing at your body. But if your cat seems particularly interested in one side of your chest on more than one occasion, it wouldn’t hurt to mention this to your doctor. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time a cat helped save their pet parent’s life by alerting them to a tumor.

References

“Cat vs. Dog. Sense of Smell | VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, 2023, vcahospitals.com/shop/home/articles/nose-smarts-what-pets-can-tell-with-their-sense-of-smell.

‌Gunter, Melissa. “Can a Cat Smell Cancer? Facts & Surprising Stories (Vet-Reviewed) - Catster.” Catster, 19 June 2025, www.catster.com/lifestyle/can-cat-smell-cancer.

Moysich, Kristen. “Can Dogs Smell Cancer?” Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 25 Aug. 2020, www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/202008/can-dogs-smell-cancer.