I've been thinking about a recent post that said an animal expert thought animals don't crave foods like people do. That is, they don't think it's boring to eat the same thing every day, they don't crave the taste of treats. I beg to differ. They wouldn't be so crazy about treats if it didn't make a difference to them. I've had my cats tip over the dish to get to the particular flavor they want. Eris, my fuzzie, will practically drool when he sees me pick up the bottle of Linatone. He licks his lips over and over and practically quivers with excitement. I've seen human children have the same reaction over birthday cakes. My cats were offered a pounce treat when they would scratch the scratching post instead of the couch. Soon, they learned to run over, scratch the post, and look at me for their treat. It became a way they asked for something they obviously wanted. And I can conceive of no reason other than craving for anyone to ask for a particular treat. Eris knows the sound of bags opening, and always runs over to see if he wants any. The cats know which cupboard their canned food is in, and they are sure to rub my legs, begging for some, when I open it. Who hasn't had a cat run from the nether reaches of a house when they hear a can opener? Or a ferret go crazy at the cues from a bag of raisens? I know science warns against anthropomorphizing (sp?), but the reality is that we are all animals, and some things do correlate. I can see from my own experience evidence that my pets can and do enjoy the taste of foods, and that they crave some variety. That doesn't mean that I don't make sure the vast majority of their food is healthy, but I don't deny them occasional treats. I don't believe the author of the previous piece deprives her babies, either. Just that she has chosen healthy snacks for those she loves. I just wanted to add my view point on how much we are like our pets in this instance. jage [Posted in FML issue 1549]