How do my animals know that?

[trancejeremy]

I just went and got a late night snack - a wrapped stick of string cheese. Moments afterwards, one of my cats and one of my dogs (the ones that mooch food) come in the room, wanting some.

How can they possibly know? I was 2 rooms (and a hallway) away from them when I opened it. It wasn't me opening the refrigerator, since just a few minutes before I got a glass of orange juice and they didn't follow me then. They couldn't have heard it open, since my gaming computer was on (which is loud due to the fans). I would guess the smell maybe, but they were there so quickly, I wouldn't think there would be time for the er, smell molecules to travel through the air.

And the same time, my other dog, was sleeping just outside the room, and she didn't notice at all until a piece I threw bounced off her sister's nose and was catapulted 4 feet onto her.

It's weird, it's like they have a 6th sense, a mooch sense. There was a guy I knew in college like that, he'd always show up when you ordered a pizza.

 

[Pbartender]

They couldn't have heard it open, since my gaming computer was on (which is loud due to the fans).

Yes, actually, they probably could have.

My dog often whines or barks when someone walks by with their dog... In front of our house... On the other side of the street... With all our windows closed... And the blinds shut... And our dog is shut in the kitchen at the back of the house for the night... And the dog being walked outside has, to our knowledge, not made a noise other than the sound of its paws walking along the sidewalk.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

It is because you were actually doing their bidding. The dog and cat wanted some string cheese, but unable to get it themselves, they planted the desire in your own mind and then waited for you to act on it.

While it would be better to plant the idea that you should get them some string cheese directly, that is currently forbidden under the animal prime directive in order to prevent humans from suspecting that they can be controlled by their "pets."

 

[kenobi65]

A dog's senses of hearing and smell are far more sensitive than a human's. I'm not as sure about a cat's, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[krunchyfrogg]

http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/

Ever see "Foodar"?

 

[IcyCool]

I've got a similar thing that happens with one of my two cats. She pretty much ignores everyone and everything. But when you use the can opener to open a can of tuna, she's right there at your leg purring before the damn thing is finished opening.

And it's only with tuna cans, not with any other type of can.

Maybe she can smell it, but given how quickly she shows up, that would mean the smell of tuna travels almost as fast as the speed of sound...

 

[kenobi65]

I've got a similar thing that happens with one of my two cats. She pretty much ignores everyone and everything. But when you use the can opener to open a can of tuna, she's right there at your leg purring before the damn thing is finished opening.

Our old cat was the same way when I'd open up a can of Underwood Deviled Ham. Said product comes in a paper-wrapped can; no sooner would I have unwrapped the can than he'd be there, meowing for some.

I used that knowledge once, when I couldn't find him (and was concerned that he'd somehow slipped out of the apartment). I unwrapped a can, and he came running out of the closet where he'd been sound asleep. "Aha!", I said, and put the can away. The cat stared at me, clearly angry that I'd exploited his Achilles' heel.

 

[sedarfairy]

I would have to agree with Thornir. We are definitely living in our pet's world. we just think we are in control. a couple of years back I started getting paranoid feelings that I was being watched, even when I was home alone. Once I happened to look up quickly and notice that my cat Lola was staring a hole through my forehead. She would look away quickly, but when I pretended to look down, she would go back to staring at me. I think she was trying to establish mind control.

 

[trancejeremy]

I dunno. I had to have something to eat, because otherwise Orange Juice hurts my stomach. And that was all I had. And animals don't really need mind control, they are pretty good at nagging you into giving them food. My cats, anyway.

But it really baffles me. I guess hearing is the only possible answer, but still. I know my cats always come running when I open up a bag of dry cat food (because they like it fresh, I buy big bags and towards the end, it gets a bit stale and dusty). But that's pretty loud. Opening a thing of string cheese is pretty quiet.

 

[LightPhoenix]

I imagine that part of the reason is because it sounds distinctly different when you open the cheese than it does from the orange juice.

Sometimes I can get my cats to come running when I open any can with a pull-top, so I'd guess it's the sound.