Scientists Find 13‑Fatty‑Acid ‘ID Card’ in Cat Urine

Researchers have identified a durable chemical signature in domestic cat urine that may serve as an inter‑cat calling card. The signature consists of 13 unusual fatty acids that persist long after the urine dries. The compounds appear to be linked to mysterious fat droplets found in the kidneys, suggesting a physiological source for the scent. This discovery indicates that cats may use this chemical cue to recognize one another, pointing to a scent‑recognition system that could be common across the feline family. The finding opens a new avenue for studying feline social interactions and could inform future investigations into how cats communicate through scent.