Why Cat Butts?

You might find yourself asking, why cat butts?  The answer is quite simple.  Cats identify each other by the scent that emanates from their back ends, just as humans identify each other by the looks of their faces.  If a cat were to have his portrait painted, chances are that he would want this "better side" to be shown.

Think about it.  Cat owners frequently wake up to a cat butt as the first sight of their day.  Visitors to a cat's home are often greeted by a cat showing off "the goods" as a friendly "Hello!" and cats greet each other by planting their noses deep in the other cat's behind.  At least after all the hissing is over with.

There's two reasons cat butts are so communicative: the anal sacs.  Each cat has two of them under the skin, even the girls, at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions around the anus. 

These anal glands produce a fluid which contains a scent that a cat can use to communicate with others.  This scent can be expressed whenever a cat wishes to mark his territory, or it is frightened (much like a skunk), and it is also emitted every time the cat has a bowel movement.  It can also be emptied out through manipulation with the fingers or other instruments.  There may have been other purposes for the anal glands in ancient times, but these days, the scent glands exist purely for the function of cats communicating their unique fragrance.

The butt is, understandably, quite a vulnerable place for a cat.  For him to present his behind is an honor to the viewer and should be treated as such.  The Cat Butt Museum exists as a monument to such a glorious occasion.

Cat Butts in History:

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• In 1962, Albert Dubout made a painting of a cat butt called Troisième œil (third eye).

• In 1987 there was a band called Cat Butt.  Their first album was titled,  "Journey to the Center Of"

• In the 1990's cartoon Beavis & Butthead, the duo painted Mr. Anderson's cat's butt green.