Research overview: facial and cheek gland pheromones in cats

Cats have scent glands on the face, including around the cheeks, chin, and lips, that deposit pheromones when the cat rubs its head against objects, people, or other cats. This overview surveys these facial secretions and the fractions of feline facial pheromones that have been described, some associated with marking familiar, comfortable territory. Facial rubbing, or bunting, spreads these chemicals and is generally interpreted as a friendly, affiliative marking behavior that labels surroundings as safe and familiar. The survey relates facial pheromones to detection by the vomeronasal and olfactory systems and to commercial synthetic analogs used to reduce stress in cats. It discusses how this form of marking differs in tone from urine spraying. Understanding cheek gland pheromones explains the common behavior of head rubbing as chemical communication, by which a cat marks its environment and social partners with reassuring, identity-laden scent.