If I point my finger at my dog or cat they always feel compelled to sniff my finger.Why is that?

Answer 1

Cuz they wanna know what it smells like. Obviously. ;)

Answer 2

Hey, they figure you're offering it to them for them to sniff. Just like you hold out a treat for them to take from your hand. They can see your finger isn't edible so they check it out the only way they can, to see why you're pointing at them!

Answer 3

Dogs and cats have a better sense of smell than they do touch or site they can judge you better by there sense of smell. When they smell you they can tell where you have been or what you have been eating. It tells them what they are really interested in knowing.

Answer 4

It's normal; I sniff people's fingers too.

Answer 5

Our puppy always thinks I'm playing and then wants to bite my fingers/hands.♥

Answer 6

To see if you've been naughty or nice.
If I wave my fist at our cat, he just rubs his face against it.

Answer 7

that's how they find out what stuff is - by sniffing it.


babies find out what stuff is by putting it in their mouths.


we (adult humans - I'm assuming) predominantly find out what stuff is by looking at it.


for cats and dogs, sniffing is their preferred way

Answer 8

yeah they smell ur scent... but that doesnt happen with my dog.. if i point at him he runs away!!! i don't get it, he's supposed to be a guard dog!!!!!

Answer 9

mine nibbles it, especially my thumb

I know if I am pointing at him for doing something bad he'll do that to try to be cute, or he'll try to shake hands like "look how cute i am, don't yell at me!"

Answer 10

you must smell. When i do it my cat just walks off...