How does my cat/dog know I am coming home long before I arrive, and is already there at the door to greet me?

Pet owners often remark about the cat or dog of the house knowing when a family member is approaching long before they arrive. Before the car is parked on the street or in the garage, or the favoured family member has walked up the sidewalk near the entry, their furry friend is sitting waiting patiently for the first hello.

Though some attribute this behaviour to ESP (extra sensory perception), the current thought is that the cat knows the sound of the family car, and since our pets' hearing is so acute compared to ours, they can hear a car coming a full block away! Each person also has a particular way of walking and even if they are not making any vocal noises as they approach the house, smart cats can identify the quiet signature of their approaching friend. It is also possible that if windows are open, the smell of perfume, aftershave, shampoo, soap, or pheromones from the approaching person could waft in on the breeze.