A cat’s nose is it’s most important sense organ. Cats have 200 million scent receptors! Their sense of smell can guide them to prey and food, detect other animals and discover where you’ve been. A cat's nose stimulates the appetite. Cats have very few taste receptors on their tongues, so it’s the smell rather than the flavor that stimulates hunger. Cats with respiratory infections tend to stop eating if they can’t smell their food. If your kitty’s appetite starts to wane, please schedule a vet exam.