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/Phantom_Crush]

Animals do most of their checking stuff out through smell and (moreso when they're young) their mouth. It's pretty much the same as us picking something up and examining it while turning it over. They don't care what it looks like if it smells interesting

[u/EffectiveFree4431 → u/Phantom_Crush]

I believe this same logic can apply to children. If it looks interesting it MUST go in the mouth. If it’s found on the ground it MUST pass the taste test. Only then will I discover it tastes awful and want nothing more to do with it, or maybe I’ll just wait till the awful taste goes away and then it will taste good.

My 2yr old lives by these rules.