Just Wondering

Q.: When my cat sniffs at certain things or notices an unfamiliar smell she will open her mouth and pant for about ten seconds, then she goes back to what she was doing...
Why might she be doing this (she's a Maine Coon)?

A.: She is actually using her mouth to "sniff at things", too. Cats (and many other animals like for example dogs, horses, sheep etc.) have an extra smelling organ in their palates, which is called Jacobson's organ. It especially recognizes smells and scents that have to do with mating and food.
This is in other words normal behavior and not a breed issue.

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