If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

If you had the opportunity to say one thing to you that could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be? your pet and they would completely understand you, what would you say?

Thanks for being the best friend ever in one of the worst times of my life. I was quiet when the ambulance came to pick up my dad who got me for you. Thanks for just sitting quietly while people came to pay their respects, and THANKS for just plopping your muzzle on my shoulder while I cried my eyes out those first days.

I would tell him that I love him. However, I think my cat understood that without knowing English. He knew I loved him and I knew he loved me. I would love to be able to arrange some way that he could signal me when he was sick or in pain. It is not always easy to tell. I might ask him to forgive me for not always understanding what he is trying to tell me.

That’s an opportunity I have every day with my dog Mimi as well as every dog and cat I’ve had throughout life. Because they do completely understand.

Housepets very often have ESP, they feel you; a thought or intention is all that’s needed. Or perhaps a look. Dogs usually seem more responsive in that respect but not necessarily. Cats can be just as sensitive, sometimes even more so depending on various things like the length of the relationship or the breed of dog or cat.

It does feel to me that cats are more interested in you making their life cushier, not the other way around. Dogs are more obviously eager to please and put more effort into entertaining you. Though I’ve had cats who were extremely talented performers.

The most common message I send my dog(s): I love you, you’re the best. The second most common is: don’t worry I’ll be right back or conversely, Let’s go but those messages in particular are usually superfluous because she knows 5 minutes before I even realize it when such things will happen. She anticipates the whole ‘coming or going’ thing. Aside from the routines that are such important rituals to her, you can set your clock to them, such as meal times—it’s amazing. Doesn’t matter when the clocks get changed in fall and spring-she adjusts. I often wonder how my dogs know it’s the equinox now and food comes an hour later or earlier. She just…knows. My last dog too. It’s common!

The more comfortable she gets as she gets older with us, the more she pushes that envelope and starts to warm me up about 15 minutes before dinner is served. Like a little kid, she starts to get cuter and cuter when she wants something, too. I try to be firm and say, “Don’t start bullying me already, you know it’s 15 minutes early you bugger.” But she figures it’s worth a try because now and then I can’t resist giving in. Children and dogs love it when they think they can manipulate a little when it comes to getting what they want regarding food! So I’ll give in just to let her think she’s getting over on me or to let her feel mighty and in control.

Cats are much more fussy with food and I would just leave food out 24 hours a day, they like to graze. Variation is necessary too or you’ll get that ‘flared nostrils’ dirty look.

Dogs like to ‘wolf it down’ I often tell my dog to take her time when she gets her favorite stuff like a hunk of good raw meat or even better in her opinion serious raw bone. Now she understands this concept very well and spends some time hulking around drooling with that food in her mouth (I usually put her out back in the garden, she likes that too). She had lived in the wild and prefers her food as life-like as possible, she’s very healthy. But I’ve seen her eat little bunnies and birds whole (ACK! not on purpose! She escapes into the park out back sometimes though we try hard not to let it happen).

I hardly ever leave my dogs home alone, they hate it. Cats are more comfortable with that and just sleep. But if that has to happen? My dog Mimi knows it in advance and just takes a place on the couch with a sad face. She always knows what I’m thinking before I think it!

Like most others here also responded, my #1 message is the most simple one (and most important), namely, “I love you!” this usually leads to some cuddles or face licks and a big old toothy smile. That makes my day brighter without fail. And I don’t know how she does it but she’s always in a good mood and ready to get/give love! Unless it thunders, then she hides. And for some sad reason, no amount of communication makes her ok- she’ll tremble and lean on me and not believe it’s ok until that storm passes.

Dogs are mostly simple souls…usually not too complicated though that depends on the animal and its history. Unlike cats, who are very complicated like beautiful women or spoiled princes. Both will give you extra space if you’re in a rotten mood…they feel that. It makes dogs nervous. It makes cats less interested in you, in my experience.

The most common thread of conversation I have with my cat(s) are: You’re the most beautiful thing I ever saw, you’re a piece of the divine living with me and I’m in awe. Then they look back as if in total agreement and go back to what they were doing (usually relaxing).

I suppose if I could tell my dog one main thing - being very clear - it would be, “Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.” But I think she’s sure of this by now anyway. Nine years have passed since she was rescued from under that dumpster with six puppies. She’s progressed from a terrified, traumatized mess into the queen she always was.

Cats are more likely to take that message of “We’ve got your back” for granted, ideally (meaning when they are safe and know it). Then life proceeds as normal and you worship them as the Gods/Goddesses they are, just like the Egyptians did.

All of my pets have come from animal shelters and I’ve never regretted it. They’re wiser for having paid dues.

Here’s a photo I found on the net which gives a good indication of the intelligence and personality in cats and dogs if we make the effort to know them: