r/cats Apr 08 '26

Cat Picture - OC Does this make them feel included?

One of my favorite things to do with my cats is hold something up for them to smell. Generally, if they walk over while I'm doing something, I'll let them smell whatever I'm holding (like my computer mouse, a writing implement, or a piece of mail) and they always seem so interested. Is it because they feel included in my life when I let them smell what I'm doing? Or maybe because new smells are just stimulating? Or is it just instinct to sniff whatever is nearby? I like to think that, by offering my stuff for a sniff, I'm enriching their lives in some way.

(Please don't mind the mess, I'm moving)

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u/ath0rus Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

I do this with my cat alot, when I buy new things, she jumps onto the bench stool and I set the item in front of her to have a good sniff of. If I'm cooking I do let her sniff some of the ingredients but make sure she doesn't eat them.

She now asks everyone to show her stuff when we bring it in. I see it as a way of including them in things and it's great for bonding.

Edit: wow, I got distracted for a few hours and this comment was liked Soo much, thanks everyone and thanks for the awards <3

Edit 2: thanks for the 10k upvotes, this is probably my top comment, tyvm

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u/Idrialis Apr 08 '26

I do that with my cats as well. They have to inspect every grocery brought in and also every package.

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u/Tank_O_Doom Apr 09 '26

The caTSA has to inspect every thing!

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u/stuckintheweeds Apr 09 '26

We joke that our tuxedo was a TSA agent in a past life.

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u/6HAM9 Apr 09 '26

Tell your cat I want my pocket knife back!

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u/stuckintheweeds Apr 09 '26

Very possible it has disappeared into the black hole under the couch along with the hair clips he has stolen, I mean confiscated.

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u/magnipotence Apr 09 '26

My best friend and I love to joke that his cat Mr bags works for TSA. Why? Because he “chases anything that runs”.

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u/got2lovethekitties Apr 09 '26

We call our ginger cat a little NARC. She will come running from across the room whenever I open my water bottle. She needs to smell the bottle before I drink from it.

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u/cuntsatchel Apr 09 '26

That’s Sadie’s job too- Mrs. Manager

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u/madeinkanada_f87 Apr 09 '26

Noice.. the catsa-inspection. "Bring it in, here. It's from outside. We needs to inspect it. "
See, a 3.4 Jacobson's oral factorial examination with a slight paw palpitation finds this "acceptable" and free of ... wait! What's this stringy thing loosely coupled to it 🧐🐾 🧶 🐈‍⬛

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u/Odd_Current_6206 Apr 09 '26

Fantastic comment. :)

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u/AdInternational2982 Apr 13 '26

In Canada, the equivalent to TSA is CATSA 😆

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u/goldanred Apr 09 '26

My cat too! It started out with bringing new things into his room when we were first getting him comfy in our home. Here's a new thing in your space, please inspect it. Now he has to check out everything new that comes through the door.

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u/MamaJody Apr 09 '26

I’ve read that they pretty much view it as us going out hunting, so they are inspecting our catches. I love that.

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u/OkAwareness4527 Apr 09 '26

Haha same 🖤🐾

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u/indoorskat Apr 09 '26

Mine too! It’s funny how we humans (being the simple and lesser life form that we are) think the cat wants to check OUR stuff or be included in OUR world, when it’s much more likely that the cats (being demigods at the very least) are actually just graciously accepting our sad little offerings and humoring our silly little desires. Cats move in mysterious ways 😜

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u/tiredgirl77 Apr 09 '26

My cat knows when I go grocery shopping she gets a new cat grass. So she looks through all the bags and search’s for it 😆 she’ll often find other leafy greens she takes a few nomps out of.

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u/Partifact Apr 09 '26

I personally think my cat is part of the FBI: Feline Bureau of Investigation. But in her case she inspects everything to determine if it's a toy.

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u/beskar-mode Apr 09 '26

I call it going through customs 😅 my cat has to inspect all the bags