Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
behavior called flehmening, or is this indicative of some sort of
problem, such as a dental problem? I haven't seen any other cat do
this particular action.

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Dan M - 29 Mar 2006 01:19 GMT
> Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
> inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
> behavior called flehmening, or is this indicative of some sort of
> problem, such as a dental problem? I haven't seen any other cat do
> this particular action.
That does sort of sound like flehmening. When Sammy does it he opens his
mouth, holds it open just a little ways, and looks like he's panting. When
Harri does it she curls up her nose a little. So I guess different kitties
do it a little differently.
Does she do it often? If so, it might be worth a visit to the vet.
Marina - 29 Mar 2006 03:54 GMT
>>Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
>>inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Harri does it she curls up her nose a little. So I guess different kitties
> do it a little differently.
A little differently yes, but I've never heard any sound while they're
flehmening. The cats I've seen doing it just keep heir mouth slightly
open (and look very silly). Maybe you should have her seen by a vet,
just in case she does have dental problems.

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jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 29 Mar 2006 04:07 GMT
> flehmening. The cats I've seen doing it just keep heir mouth slightly
> open (and look very silly).
Heh. You might not want to say that in front of a lion who's flehmening. :)
Joyce
Steve Touchstone - 29 Mar 2006 08:59 GMT
>>>Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
>>>inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>open (and look very silly). Maybe you should have her seen by a vet,
>just in case she does have dental problems.
My Sammy sometimes does very soft sort of a half chirp. It's very
soft, and only occurs very rarely - or at least I only hear it on rare
occasions.

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dsh-diva - 29 Mar 2006 22:34 GMT
Sometimes my Xena will do this when she finds an interesting smell.
Cats have sensors in the roof of their mouths that help with smell, and
opening the mouth and breathing that way helps them to smell. I don't
usually hear much noise when she does this, but it looks funny. Jennie
sriddles@aol.com - 30 Mar 2006 00:35 GMT
> Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
> inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> --
> John F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com
If she's only doing it when she's sniffing something strange to her, I
wouldn't worry about it. But if she just seems to do it for no reason
at all, I think I'd ask the vet about it.
Mine don't make a sound when they do that. They just look slack-jawed
and a little dopey. Like for instance, they'll do it sniffing my shoes
or pants after I've been around other dogs or cats.
Sherry
meeee - 03 Apr 2006 03:57 GMT
>> Cinders has a habit of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth while
>> inhaling, making a suck-suck-suck-suck sound. Is this simply the
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Sherry
The last couple of days They have all been picking specific spots of
clothing I am wearing, and rubbing, sniffing, and flehmening at them.
Yesterday it was the bottom of my right pants leg, they were rolling on it
and cheekrubbing, and today for some reason my left elbow is utterly
fascinating. Is it my washing powder perhaps? I don't know what;s got into
them...