I’ve known multiple dogs that put items in a spot, then brushed their noses over them, as if burying them with invisible dirt.
However, I figure that’s an instinctual behavior, similar to digging/burying food. Not evidence of imagination. Just evidence of dogs interacting with invisible objects.
They pretend they have toys when they have nothing at all, sometimes. And I’d argue that even playing with toys the way they do is major make-believe. Which is also something they already do in the wild - practice hunting on dead animals or inanimate objects.
Don’t dogs and cats do it?
When have you seen your dog or cat pretend to interact with an invisible object, like a toddler having an imaginary cup of tea?
I’ve known multiple dogs that put items in a spot, then brushed their noses over them, as if burying them with invisible dirt.
However, I figure that’s an instinctual behavior, similar to digging/burying food. Not evidence of imagination. Just evidence of dogs interacting with invisible objects.
They pretend they have toys when they have nothing at all, sometimes. And I’d argue that even playing with toys the way they do is major make-believe. Which is also something they already do in the wild - practice hunting on dead animals or inanimate objects.
Cats pretend aggression when playing with each other