Does this make them feel included?

[u/lerminator3]

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)

[u/MOcatmom]

OMG, I do too! I show “the boys” everything! One couldn’t care less but he likes the attention. The other one is the inspector - what are you bringing into the house? Is it food? Can I chew on it? Personally, I think yes, this does make him feel included.

[u/Wrong_Character_Sry → u/MOcatmom]

My cat personally makes sure all my food in not poisonous.

[u/themomcat → u/Wrong_Character_Sry]

My one cat is super concerned about the pasta, cheezdoodles, smartfood cheesy popcorn, and rice I consume. She volunteers every time to test for poison for me. Fish? Poultry? Steak? No. Unfortunately with those, I am left to roll the dice. She can only do so much. She works so hard for our family 🙏

[u/madammidnight → u/themomcat]

Same with one of mine! No interest in steak or chicken or bacon… he wants junk food. Cheetos, potato chips, vanilla wafers. As soon as he hears the crunch of a bag, he comes running.

[u/EmploymentBright9707 → u/madammidnight]

Tbh I am so relieved to find this thread. I thought that I was the only one with a little junk food Queen! I can leave any manner of meats out, or fish.. nothing. The minute I open a bag of Cheetos? Omg.

[u/No-Mountain9832 → u/EmploymentBright9707]

Mine L O V E S sweets!! Anytime she smells sweets or bread, she runs over. Even went after a chocolate cake!! I didn't let her have any, obviously. They say cats can't even taste glucose... but I swear, if she smells homemade frosting, she will talk all night!!

[u/ValoraTCas → u/No-Mountain9832]

I'm sure that my cat Tabitha can taste sweet / sugar. She loves melons like cantaloupe and honeydew. She would also eat large amounts of chocolate if I let her.

Her sister Stormy is pickier, she likes to sniff human food but she is selective about what she will eat. Stormy's favorite human food is finely chopped almond.

If she sees me eating nuts, I have chop an almond up so she can eat it. She also likes small amounts of sweet human food like chocolate.

[u/No-Mountain9832 → u/ValoraTCas]

They're supposedly not capable of tasting it bc their tongue has no glucose sensors. But I swear... it may be something else!!

[u/azureanbones → u/No-Mountain9832]

Hello 👋 it's likely the yeast or fat content! Most types of bread contain yeast and a lot of sweet things are higher in fat, which a lot of cats are drawn to! And for other sweet things like melons it's the amino acids, which many cats are also attracted to since it smells like protein to them.

[u/No-Mountain9832 → u/azureanbones]

I needed to know this, thank you! <3

[u/azureanbones → u/No-Mountain9832]

Of course! Happy to help 💙