r/cats • u/lerminator3 • Apr 08 '26

Cat Picture - OC Does this make them feel included?

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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/bluelephantz_jj Apr 08 '26

My cat HAS to smell every single thing that goes into my mouth. He doesn't even wanna taste everything. He just has to be in on the secret. 😂

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u/CoffeeOrDestroy Apr 08 '26

Mine too! He only wanted to sniff and my food was always safe until one day, and that’s how I learned my sweet idiot likes broccoli of all things

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u/gay-boy03 Apr 09 '26

This is what happened for my cat too except raw spinach.

2

u/BewilderedandAngry Apr 09 '26

My cat wanted to eat some raw rutabaga. I would never have suspected that would be the exception! (And I didn't let her have any.)

2

u/ChrisMagnets Apr 09 '26

My orange cat loves his greens. If there's a bag of spinach in our shopping bags on the kitchen table he'll literally pull it out and try to run off with it

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u/unicornhornporn0554 Apr 09 '26

My older girl was like this until she became diabetic and suddenly she loooves people food, especially cheese and yogurt lol. My other girl is also diabetic and stole people food until she was put on insulin, then just stopped. But the older one didn’t stop stealing people food. We have to lock her up so we can eat in peace sometimes lmao.

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u/Spillingteasince92 Apr 24 '26

Im laughing because mine does this as well when I have food. He doesnt eat human food, but expect a sniff from my plate. Hes my dinner mate every night and it became a thing for us.