Scientists Discover Hidden ID Card in Cat Urine

Scientists have uncovered a highly durable chemical “calling card” that cats use to recognize one another. The signal is composed of 13 unusual fatty acids found in feline urine, and it remains detectable for extended periods, allowing cats to identify individuals long after the initial encounter.

The fatty acids appear to be linked to previously mysterious fat droplets that accumulate in the kidneys of cats. Researchers suggest that this biochemical system may function as a scent‑recognition mechanism shared across the cat family, providing a reliable method for social interaction and territorial marking.

These findings deepen our understanding of feline communication and could inform future studies on domestic and wild cat behavior, offering new insights into how these animals maintain complex social structures through chemical cues.