There can be certain situations where your feline pet fails to respond no matter how many times you call. Much research has gone into finding out if cats possess the ability to recognize and respond to the names given to them by their owners. Most of the studies have given way to positive results.
How do Your Feline Recognize you?
You will see a cat responding to the human voice in the form of body movements. Generally, their ears will perk up, and they will run over to whoever the voice belongs to. They can also express their response via head movements.
Did you know that your voice can have a huge impact on whether your cat is listening to you or not? Some people will use a high-pitched voice to call over their cat. Others might add a little harmony to their voice while calling their cats.
If you have tried and failed to make your cat respond to your voice, you can try out some tricks. For instance, if your pet does not respond to your voice, try to win them over with the help of a toy or one of their favorite food items. Your cat will start responding to your mannerisms in no time.
If you have adopted a cat that already has a name, then the best thing to do would be not to change the name. If you change the name, your pet might get confused and fail to respond to your calls.
Is it Possible that Cats Show Positive Responses to Certain Names?
People have researched a lot about cats and their responses to names. Research has shown that cats tend to pay attention to names that are shorter in length. Also, names that have an “eye” sound at the end generate more positive responses in cats. So, if you are thinking about cat names, you can go ahead with names such as “Ivy,” “Daisy,” “Chloe,” and so on.
Once you have decided on the name, make sure to use it consistently without fail. If you do so, your cat will get used to the habit and start giving better responses.
Why Do Cats Tend to Ignore Their Owners Sometimes?
It is not unusual for cats to often ignore the people around them. Maybe, your cat is preoccupied with some activity such as playing or eating. It is even possible that your cat is giving you the cold shoulder.
Do you use a more aggressive tone to call your cat? Well, it is not helping your cause. Usually, cats will not respond to someone who is yelling at them.
If your cat recognizes the call with something special such as eating, or playtime, or affectionate petting, then they will eagerly respond. As mentioned earlier, be prepared to bribe your cat with toys and treats if they aren’t showing any good responses.
Recommended: 21 Things Your Cats Absolutely Hate
Why Do Dogs Show More Positive Responses as Compared to Cats?
Did you know dogs are born with an advantage that makes them respond better to people calling them over? For years, human beings have dedicated a lot of significant time to ensuring that dogs behave more obediently towards them. Meanwhile, cats would keep themselves busy by going around and catching mice and rats.
Another astounding fact about our favorite pets is that domesticated dogs have been around for way longer than cats. Try thinking thousands of years more than cats!
Usually, dog owners begin with training their pets to respond to their names. Also, dogs are more responsive to things such as treats and other activities. But, it does not mean that cats won’t become more responsive over time. If anything, research proves that our feline pets are becoming increasingly better at responding to the people around them.
Is it Possible for Cats to Learn their Names?
A cat’s response depends on whether or not it is feeling hungry. If your cat is hungry for food and you call them over, chances are their ears will perk up the moment they recognize your voice. No wonder experts recommend using treats to improve your cat’s ability to respond to voices.
However, please remember not to overdo it. Trying to pacify your cat with treats time and again will lead them to expect food every time you call them over. This can cause a lot of other serious problems.
If you plan on bringing a cat to your home, make sure to start voice training immediately. Did you know the human association period in cats can begin early as 17 days from their birth? Besides voice training, you must also pay significant attention to touching or petting them. These activities will make sure that your cat gets rid of any inhibitions or fears around you.
Final Words
Although most studies point towards the fact that cats respond to their names, there is still a lot of confusion and uncertainty in the air. Therefore, it is better to be more active in your pursuit of making your cat respond to your voice. For instance, try using a certain pitch. You can also call them in a sing-song manner.
Dogs have been subjected to training for a much longer time than cats. Consequently, they are more responsive. With time, cats are becoming increasingly responsive as well. Who knows? Maybe, soon, they will become as amiable and responsive as dogs. After all, that’s what every feline lover wants.
