Wash hasn't exactly herded cats before, but he's definitely herded Caboose, and these are similar tactics - namely allowing Bread to get off topic for a bit before reminding him of the mission. "This is cool and all, but I really want to see the best scratching post ever."

(Bread also gets extra patience because he's a cat. Wash is willing to forgive a lot for cats.)

He'll show the appropriate enthusiasm for Bread's secret scratching spot, and will also investigate it thoroughly. Is. Is Mount Mâché made of papier-mâché. Are things here really that weird.