Study: Cats Use Scent to Recognize Owners

Scientists in Japan studied cats to see if they could tell their owners apart by smell.

They collected scents from owners and strangers, then let cats sniff them.

Cats spent more time sniffing strangers' scents and used their right nostrils, similar to how animals process new information.

The cats' personalities also affected their reactions.

This research suggests that smell helps cats recognize their humans, though it may not be the most important factor.