I have Pavlovian cats.
Typically, when I get home from work at 4:30, I scoop out their litter boxes right before feeding them. They know the rustle of the plastic bag means they’re about to be fed, and they hover around me. I have to be careful about that rustle.
Today I was emptying out my bathroom garbage, where I use the same plastic bags (specifically, Walmart bags). I put a new bag in the garbage can, and the cats heard the rustle. It was like Pavlov’s bell. The cats came running. They wanted to be fed.
Problem was, it was 1:30, not 4:30, way too early to feed the cats. I considered giving them a small amount of food to appease them but decided against it.
I’m not sure if it’s possible to condition my cats to know that the rustle could mean any number of things, but the reality is, the vast majority of the time it does mean food. So I’ve given up on that idea.
I guess I’m going to have to remember to empty my bathroom garbage at 4:30 instead of 1:30. After all, I’m the one who conditioned the cats.
And they’re still waiting to be fed. It’s only 2:30.
Image Credit: Two Cats Running © OleksandrZastrozhnov–stock.adobe.com
My World With Words 
Belinda–this is so funny. And yes, Pavlovian cats, exactly. I clean the litter boxes before mine eat, also, then say to my husband, “OK, can you put the cats away?” We feed them in separate rooms because they get different foods (for their age) and also so no one eats the other one’s food. They always run to my husband as he leads the way to their various rooms. I guess I start what I’m going to say with, “OK” a lot because any time I say that, they run to my husband and think he is going to get ready to feed them. My version or your plastic bag thing. OK, then…. 😹😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, my cats think “OK” means they’re going to fed as well, although they’ve learned it might not so they’re not as pushy as they are around the rustle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This would be me and donuts. Anyone mentions donuts and my head shoots up. “Donuts?!” I think, secretly, we all have our Pavolvian moment. 🍩 Do you have Parlor Doughnuts near you? They are my latest fascination. Unhealthy? Oh, yeah. For breakfast? Oh, yeah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No Parlor donuts, but we have a local bakery that makes fantastic donuts. Fortunately it’s a bit out my way, or I’d be there on a regular basis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m smiling. Aren’t they funny – and persistent! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Persistent is the word! They were convinced it was time to eat and weren’t going to let me get away with not feeding them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it…err…them! 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person