Why does my cat retch when I file my nails?

[SuburbanRhonda]

My lovely 11-year-old cat has always been a bit odd - that's why we love her! For years she has done this weird thing - if she is sitting near me and I file my nails with an emery board, she licks her lips, then retches, but isn't sick. The other day, she did it again when I tipped a bag of jewellery onto the bed that had lots of chains and jangly stuff.

Obviously I don't file my nails near her any more, because I worry she's actually upset by the sound it makes, but why that sound? It's fascinating, but - weird.

[cozietoesie]

Dust/particles in the air? Or some sort of sharp smell that only a sensitive cat nose could pick up?

All I can think of, I admit.

[cozietoesie]

Actually, I'm inclined towards a smell - burning nail on the one hand (with the action of the emery board) and tarnish on the other.

[crazynanna]

Cats are just.....fabulously strange! I have no idea why your cat master does this. When my girl is doing her nightly mad half hour bomb around the house, she stops every 30 seconds and manicly grooms her back/tail...like does it crazily

[FreckledLeopard]

One of my cats adores nail files/emery boards. She will grab it, swoon over it and lick it. God knows why. This is the same cat who adores ear wax. And sneezes/coughs when very happy.

Cats are odd creatures

[SuburbanRhonda]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I think it might be the smell, cozie. Though why that smell, and why the thing with the jewellery, I don't know.

I guess I should just be grateful that my cat doesn't have a penchant for ear wax, though my friend's cat used to adore rolling around in the dirty laundry on the landing

[VestandKnickers]

She's sickened by your vanity in filing your nails and adorning yourself with jewels!

[SuburbanRhonda]

vest, I knew she was astute, but even I had underestimated her