"Cats understand human cues better than many people think"
April 4, 2019 6:47 AM Subscribe
Researchers in Japan have demonstrated that cats can recognize their own names in a string of words. However, they noted that "it was not clear the cats realised their name was a name. 'There is no evidence that cats have the ability to recognise themselves. So I think they just associated words—here, names—with rewards or punishment.'"
My cat knows her name but presumably does not know what a name is. If she wants attention she enjoys having her name said over and over. If she is trying to go about her own business she is clearly annoyed by having her name said over and over because she can't help turning around to look at you when you say it.
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:04 AM on April 4, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:04 AM on April 4, 2019 [28 favorites]
Hmm in a highly unscientific test performed just now she (appearing totally asleep in bed) ignored several random words uttered in same tone of voice, ignored name, and then jerked her head up to stare at me when I said "brush" which is one of her favorite things.
Maybe she has learned that her name doesn't necessarily promise something good but other words almost always do.
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:07 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
Maybe she has learned that her name doesn't necessarily promise something good but other words almost always do.
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:07 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
"Research by the team has already shown that while cats could tell apart their owner’s voice from a stranger’s, they often paid little heed."
How can you not love cats, honestly.
posted by something something at 7:09 AM on April 4, 2019 [48 favorites]
How can you not love cats, honestly.
posted by something something at 7:09 AM on April 4, 2019 [48 favorites]
Weirdly, my cats often (not always) will come when called. At least three of the four - the forth is a new addition, but he's 14 and I'm not 100% sure how much he was talked to with his previous family and whether his hearing is very good.
Much of the time I can call one of my cats and the specific cat I am talking to will show up like "what's up?" Especially if I use their full name. That is, of course, as far as it goes. They'll show up and see if there's anything of interest - and if not, go back to whatever their cat agenda happens to be.
Might help I'm fairly heavy handed with treats, and they are very good cats.
posted by jzb at 7:10 AM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
Much of the time I can call one of my cats and the specific cat I am talking to will show up like "what's up?" Especially if I use their full name. That is, of course, as far as it goes. They'll show up and see if there's anything of interest - and if not, go back to whatever their cat agenda happens to be.
Might help I'm fairly heavy handed with treats, and they are very good cats.
posted by jzb at 7:10 AM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
My kitteh thinks her name is either: Can of Food Being Opened or Someone May Have Toast Crumbs Soon
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:13 AM on April 4, 2019 [28 favorites]
One of my favorite things i did with my ex was to train his cats. It’s pretty easy to click train them since many cats are food oriented and once they learn food results they’re very on board. Just never call them to punish them, they should only associate it with happy times.
Cat training also makes people think you are a wizard with magic, my ex’s friends were deeply suspicious of my eldritch ability once they saw I’d taught all three of the cats to sit.
posted by winna at 7:15 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
Cat training also makes people think you are a wizard with magic, my ex’s friends were deeply suspicious of my eldritch ability once they saw I’d taught all three of the cats to sit.
posted by winna at 7:15 AM on April 4, 2019 [10 favorites]
I thought it was common knowledge that cats can understand what humans are saying but don't care.
posted by Sangermaine at 7:16 AM on April 4, 2019 [38 favorites]
posted by Sangermaine at 7:16 AM on April 4, 2019 [38 favorites]
I have two cats and one is pretty obviously smarter than the other, at least from my human perspective. But it's the dumber one that knows his name and responds very clearly to it.
He knows when I'm using the other cat's name and even though I'll use the same intonation and they're both two syllable names he still will ignore me, even when they're next to each other and I'm speaking in the same direction. He often comes when I call his name and doesn't respond to much of anything else verbal, just food or toy noises. He's very curious but a total doofus about pretty much everything.
The smarter one absolutely knows a bunch of different words and phrases, like "you want brushing?" and "it's time for crunchy food" (which he loves) and "it's time for squishy food" (which he is ambivalent about) and even "other side" (which means he needs to get on the other side of me in bed so we can both be more comfortable). He also knows that laser pointers are stupid and come from my hand and the dot should be ignored. He uses a lot of cat-sign with his paws to communicate with everyone in the house, too, lots of touching and nudging. But he doesn't know his name at all. We adopted him when he was 4 and gave him a new name, but I picked something with similar cadence and consonants. I've tried using his previous name and he doesn't respond to that at all either! We can pretty much have a conversation (as long as the topic is petting or napping or birds) but he doesn't know what names are.
posted by Mizu at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
He knows when I'm using the other cat's name and even though I'll use the same intonation and they're both two syllable names he still will ignore me, even when they're next to each other and I'm speaking in the same direction. He often comes when I call his name and doesn't respond to much of anything else verbal, just food or toy noises. He's very curious but a total doofus about pretty much everything.
The smarter one absolutely knows a bunch of different words and phrases, like "you want brushing?" and "it's time for crunchy food" (which he loves) and "it's time for squishy food" (which he is ambivalent about) and even "other side" (which means he needs to get on the other side of me in bed so we can both be more comfortable). He also knows that laser pointers are stupid and come from my hand and the dot should be ignored. He uses a lot of cat-sign with his paws to communicate with everyone in the house, too, lots of touching and nudging. But he doesn't know his name at all. We adopted him when he was 4 and gave him a new name, but I picked something with similar cadence and consonants. I've tried using his previous name and he doesn't respond to that at all either! We can pretty much have a conversation (as long as the topic is petting or napping or birds) but he doesn't know what names are.
posted by Mizu at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
My cats have always showed up when I have called their names, but I have to admit that I always add a specific little tune to how I say their names, so it could be the intonation more than anything. I even have a song for the two of them together, "Arthur and MAME! ARTHUR and Mame! He's a cat named Arthur, she is Mame!"
posted by xingcat at 7:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 7:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
I thought it was common knowledge that cats can understand what humans are saying but don't care.
And now I'm wondering how many of the researchers also have teenagers, who are probably the closest human equivalents to cats.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:31 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
And now I'm wondering how many of the researchers also have teenagers, who are probably the closest human equivalents to cats.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:31 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
Cats absolutely associate sounds with results. Everyone who has ever opened a can of tuna knows that. It's interesting speculation that the researchers aren't certain that cats may not associate names with identity, merely with some expectation that we might pay them (pleasurable) attention if they respond to their name.
Imagine if mute, mysterious forces played a tune every meal time. If you weren't hungry that particular day, you might think to yourself, "no, I'm good" and go back to sleep in the sunny spot too.
posted by bonehead at 7:35 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
Imagine if mute, mysterious forces played a tune every meal time. If you weren't hungry that particular day, you might think to yourself, "no, I'm good" and go back to sleep in the sunny spot too.
posted by bonehead at 7:35 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
I thought it was common knowledge that cats can understand what humans are saying but don't care.
Yes, but now it's been Scientifically Proven™
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:59 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes, but now it's been Scientifically Proven™
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:59 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
My old cat (the bread thief) learned the word carrier and would hide if we said it. He might have known his name, but he didn't care as much about that.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by dinty_moore at 8:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
My current feline overlords pay absolutely no heed to names, but they do respond to the "tsk-tsk-tsk" sound as a cue that it's meal time. Their immediate predecessor absolutely knew and answered to his name (HarryHarryHarry). So, in conclusion, cats are a world of contrasts.
posted by briank at 8:06 AM on April 4, 2019
posted by briank at 8:06 AM on April 4, 2019
[homer] Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand! [/homer]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:25 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:25 AM on April 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Our cat is super smart, but I don't think she cares too much about name noises. She's smart and very scientific. She tests out stuff, both signal and response. If she wants something, she starts nicely, by asking sweetly. If we are so impolite as to fail to respond, she starts doing things we can't ignore. She escalates. But she always gives us a chance to do the right thing first. But it's not all-take and no give. She does listen to us, even my husband who is not at all trained in cat ways, and calls her just like he calls the dog. She actually comes, because there's usually something to her benefit. But the difference between the cat and the dog is that if the dog doesn't get what she wants by nudging, nosing, pacing, whining, and ultra-hypnotic staring, she will eventually give up. The cat is like "I'm Not Going to be IGNORED, Dan!"
posted by taz at 8:37 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by taz at 8:37 AM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
Using the test from TFA, Fable ignored "Fable" and looked up at me on "football." So...
posted by greermahoney at 8:45 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by greermahoney at 8:45 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
One of my cats definitely recognizes her name, her nickname, and the name of her sister. I know the last one for a fact because a few times her sister has hidden so well inside the house I wouldn't have found her if it weren't for the other cat narcing on her.
Her sister, who is the more stereotypical cat of the two, either does not know or does not care about names.
posted by asteria at 8:47 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Her sister, who is the more stereotypical cat of the two, either does not know or does not care about names.
posted by asteria at 8:47 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
My cat will either come when called, or will look at me to tell me "Yes I hear you, but not right now."
posted by emjaybee at 8:51 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 8:51 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Ben, or as I usually pronounce it BenBenBen, not only knows and responds to his name, but also comes running across the yard* when I whistle for him. He's also good at "up" and "in" and "brushbrush." Food sounds are a given.
*Refers to acre of flat roof surrounding our patio, four stories up. No street level stuff.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 9:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
*Refers to acre of flat roof surrounding our patio, four stories up. No street level stuff.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 9:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
The cat we had when I was growing up was very verbally-oriented and did indeed respond to his name, among other things. (This included the "off" game: if he was on the breakfast bar, my mother would tell him to get off, and he would get off--but leave his tail pointedly draped across the counter. Mom would tell him "now, all the way off," and he would then remove his tail.) Of my current trio, the female cat--a.k.a. the only one with obvious brain cells--recognizes her name and does come when called. Er, most of the time. When she's in the mood, anyway.
posted by thomas j wise at 9:21 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by thomas j wise at 9:21 AM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
But were they using the deep and inscrutable singular name?
The Naming Of Cats by T. S. Eliot
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.
posted by roolya_boolya at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
The Naming Of Cats by T. S. Eliot
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.
posted by roolya_boolya at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Our cat comes when called. He also greets us at the door. Our dog does neither. They are obviously up on the latest in role reversal cosplay.
posted by kozad at 9:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by kozad at 9:26 AM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
According to the Charistmatic Vancouver Vet on cat names, cats respond better to high pitches, and high-pitch vowels like "eee". So Fluffy, Tilly or Mimi might respond to their names better than Goose, Catherine or Lucifer.
posted by Gordafarin at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Gordafarin at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
My year old rescue cat doesn't know her name but does respond to "Kitty."
I've clicker trained her to give me a high five in exchange for treats.
I've yet to train her not to screech-howl all the god-damned time she's not actively eating or being petted. Anyone got any cat-whisperer pro-tips for that?
posted by arcolz at 9:52 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
I've clicker trained her to give me a high five in exchange for treats.
I've yet to train her not to screech-howl all the god-damned time she's not actively eating or being petted. Anyone got any cat-whisperer pro-tips for that?
posted by arcolz at 9:52 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
All four of our cats show varying indications of their name recognition. Mouse (12 years old) will absolutely come when called, and also, will answer you, if you use his name in conjunction with a question. (Unfortunately, I do not understand Cat as well as he obviously understands English, and so inevitably I will assume his meow in answer to, "Mouse, do you want a treat?" is yes, quite often, what he really wants is to have his nose scratched or be peeted -- I know this because he will ignore the proferred treat and but his head under my hand or roll to his side to be petted.
Salem (12) will respond to her name, sometimes by coming to you and sometimes just by looking at you from wherever she is perched just to let you know she heard you and is ignoring you on purpose.
September, who is four, has pretty much ignored her name since we gave it to her and is super shy. Last winter she started to be less shy and actually coming up to be petted (and doing that adorable roll and stretch thing cats do to get you to pet their bellies -- only she really likes you to pet her belly. ) I started calling her Pretty Girl cause she was being totally coquettish, and she apparently liked that name, so she'll come to it if you call and even offer a tiny "mew" sometimes. (We keep referring to her as September elsewise bacuse that's her name on her vet records and her chip, -- we've been to lazy to change it.)
Pretty Girl's brother October will come to anything, directed at him or not, including, but not limited to October, Toby, Tober, Kitty, Doofus, Fat Cat, Toothless, Waddle butt, and Cuddle boy.
Oddly enough, they don't actually come running when the food bag or can's are opened unless it as actually their meal time (approx 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM daily.) But unscrew a jar that sounds even vaguely like the jar of dried catnip, and all 4 will park their fluffy butts on your feet until you share.
Most of the cats I've had have always responded to some variation of their name. September is one of the few I've had who refused to acknowledge it until we gave him/her a name she liked better.
posted by allandsome at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Salem (12) will respond to her name, sometimes by coming to you and sometimes just by looking at you from wherever she is perched just to let you know she heard you and is ignoring you on purpose.
September, who is four, has pretty much ignored her name since we gave it to her and is super shy. Last winter she started to be less shy and actually coming up to be petted (and doing that adorable roll and stretch thing cats do to get you to pet their bellies -- only she really likes you to pet her belly. ) I started calling her Pretty Girl cause she was being totally coquettish, and she apparently liked that name, so she'll come to it if you call and even offer a tiny "mew" sometimes. (We keep referring to her as September elsewise bacuse that's her name on her vet records and her chip, -- we've been to lazy to change it.)
Pretty Girl's brother October will come to anything, directed at him or not, including, but not limited to October, Toby, Tober, Kitty, Doofus, Fat Cat, Toothless, Waddle butt, and Cuddle boy.
Oddly enough, they don't actually come running when the food bag or can's are opened unless it as actually their meal time (approx 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM daily.) But unscrew a jar that sounds even vaguely like the jar of dried catnip, and all 4 will park their fluffy butts on your feet until you share.
Most of the cats I've had have always responded to some variation of their name. September is one of the few I've had who refused to acknowledge it until we gave him/her a name she liked better.
posted by allandsome at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
So I think they just associated words—here, names—with rewards or punishment.
I mean, how much more is a name than that for a small child? Identity doesn't seem to me to be much more than a much larger pile of such associations and habits. I never expected that my cats were philosophical creatures. When I say they know their names, I mean that they recognize that this word means something associated with them as individuals and they don't respond to the other cat's name the way they do their own. I don't think they speak English; I know they only recognize a few words and tone of voice and context and body language, but that's really enough for a fair amount of communication. "My cat understands me" and "my cat understands English grammar and vocabulary" are not the same thing.
My oldest starting to not respond to her name when she seemed to still be able to hear otherwise was one of my signs that it was almost time to say goodbye, and it was very hard for the last couple months to know she didn't understand me and didn't know what was going on around her the way she had. But I never expected to be able to discuss software engineering with her, I just wanted her to know when it was time for bed and time for supper and that she was loved. (I lost her very recently.) The other two, I can communicate to them what I want from them and they can sometimes do it, and they can communicate to me what they want and I can drop everything to go find the laser pointer, so we're good.
I've yet to train her not to screech-howl all the god-damned time she's not actively eating or being petted. Anyone got any cat-whisperer pro-tips for that?
I just talk very loudly back to both of my loud cats, which does not reduce the behavior but does make it seem more like we're just engaged in an ongoing noisy social activity rather than just that they're yelling at me all the time. It's more of a flock call than a real conversation, but I've had plenty of "conversations" like that with human beings I've lived with, too.
posted by Sequence at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
I mean, how much more is a name than that for a small child? Identity doesn't seem to me to be much more than a much larger pile of such associations and habits. I never expected that my cats were philosophical creatures. When I say they know their names, I mean that they recognize that this word means something associated with them as individuals and they don't respond to the other cat's name the way they do their own. I don't think they speak English; I know they only recognize a few words and tone of voice and context and body language, but that's really enough for a fair amount of communication. "My cat understands me" and "my cat understands English grammar and vocabulary" are not the same thing.
My oldest starting to not respond to her name when she seemed to still be able to hear otherwise was one of my signs that it was almost time to say goodbye, and it was very hard for the last couple months to know she didn't understand me and didn't know what was going on around her the way she had. But I never expected to be able to discuss software engineering with her, I just wanted her to know when it was time for bed and time for supper and that she was loved. (I lost her very recently.) The other two, I can communicate to them what I want from them and they can sometimes do it, and they can communicate to me what they want and I can drop everything to go find the laser pointer, so we're good.
I've yet to train her not to screech-howl all the god-damned time she's not actively eating or being petted. Anyone got any cat-whisperer pro-tips for that?
I just talk very loudly back to both of my loud cats, which does not reduce the behavior but does make it seem more like we're just engaged in an ongoing noisy social activity rather than just that they're yelling at me all the time. It's more of a flock call than a real conversation, but I've had plenty of "conversations" like that with human beings I've lived with, too.
posted by Sequence at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
our kitties recognize their names and generally come when called (probably for reasons of: food)
posted by supermedusa at 10:25 AM on April 4, 2019
posted by supermedusa at 10:25 AM on April 4, 2019
I don't know if our little cat recognizes her human name, but she recognizes her cat name (a series of tongue clicks).
The big cat doesn't give a fuck.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:54 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
The big cat doesn't give a fuck.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:54 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
All our cats know their names, and always come when called -- unless they're doing something important of course. They also understand English and will respond -- again, if they're not doing something important. My cats do care, it's just that sometimes there are Important Things that need to be dealt with first.
posted by phliar at 10:59 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by phliar at 10:59 AM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
For a while I heard you
Missing steps in the street
And your anger pleading
In an uncertain key
Singing the sound that you found for me ...
posted by maudlin at 11:32 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Missing steps in the street
And your anger pleading
In an uncertain key
Singing the sound that you found for me ...
posted by maudlin at 11:32 AM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Our cat has a name, but we just call her "cat" all the time.
Once, we went to get her from down the block after she'd gotten out. My boyfriend called out "cat!" and she came running up like she usually does when we call her.
Man, the neighbors thought he was a wizard with the magical power to summon any cat.
posted by subdee at 11:53 AM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Once, we went to get her from down the block after she'd gotten out. My boyfriend called out "cat!" and she came running up like she usually does when we call her.
Man, the neighbors thought he was a wizard with the magical power to summon any cat.
posted by subdee at 11:53 AM on April 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Now we have two cats, and sometimes when we are talking about cats in general, Cymbal still thinks we are saying her name and looks over at us.
posted by subdee at 11:56 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by subdee at 11:56 AM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
That could explain why one cat will come when other cats' names are called; he knows those words mean human/feline interaction but doesn't necessarily associate them with specific cats.
(Which is how Nellie got the nickname "You Too, Nellie.")
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
(Which is how Nellie got the nickname "You Too, Nellie.")
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
Your cat's true name is the street it grew up on, plus its favorite flavor of kibble or wet food, plus the specific ancient feline society to which its ancestors belonged that is in constant conflict and frequent warfare with competing societies, plus a randomly selected number between one and five hundred fifty-three.
posted by delfin at 12:21 PM on April 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by delfin at 12:21 PM on April 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
Cats can be trained if you have patience and you are consistent with rewards. I taught my cat to high five for treats. I also have associated the toy with the name of said tou to the point where we say “where is the M-o-u-s-e?” in conversation much like dog owners with the word “walk.”
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
My cats very clearly understand the word "No". It means "don't do this until the human isn't looking."
They might know their names, or they might just come running because I use the same tone of voice to call them for food.
posted by stillnocturnal at 12:33 PM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
They might know their names, or they might just come running because I use the same tone of voice to call them for food.
posted by stillnocturnal at 12:33 PM on April 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
One of my cats knows her name. I've experimented yelling random words but only when her name is called does she stick her little head through the railings on the upper stairs to reply 'what?'.
The other probably does but we'll never know because she sure as hell isnt going to humour me and actually answer to it.
posted by kitten magic at 2:19 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
The other probably does but we'll never know because she sure as hell isnt going to humour me and actually answer to it.
posted by kitten magic at 2:19 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
I've experimented yelling random words but only when her name is called does she stick her little head through the railings on the upper stairs to reply 'what?'
Is your cat named Lana by any chance?
posted by zombieflanders at 2:26 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Is your cat named Lana by any chance?
posted by zombieflanders at 2:26 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Not Lana. Also not "shampoo" "tea towel" or "ironing board" according to latest research.
posted by kitten magic at 3:10 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by kitten magic at 3:10 PM on April 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have named it[source]
Will it respond to this name
Never
Is the collar for a leash
The collar is for the name
posted by Thella at 5:35 PM on April 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
Both my cats know their names, and they know the dog's name, because the dog gets to go outside, and they would very much like to go outside, and so they lurk by doors when I call the dog, in case they can sneak outside. (Which is why there are spray bottles stationed by every door, and why all my friends come in through the airlocked garage entry instead of coming to the front door. Now, if someone comes to the front, we know it's either preachers or salespeople.
One of my cats, who will try to convince you that she will die if you do not pet her this very second, also knows the phrase "love glove", which is the kitty grooming glove with the silicon nubbly bits on the palm. She loves the love glove. You can hide that thing anywhere and she will find it, drag it out, sit beside it and lecture everyone until someone picks it up and pets her with it. Very fastidious, is our Purrsephone.
The other cat knows "drop it!" "get down from there" and "how did you even get in there?"
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:15 PM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
One of my cats, who will try to convince you that she will die if you do not pet her this very second, also knows the phrase "love glove", which is the kitty grooming glove with the silicon nubbly bits on the palm. She loves the love glove. You can hide that thing anywhere and she will find it, drag it out, sit beside it and lecture everyone until someone picks it up and pets her with it. Very fastidious, is our Purrsephone.
The other cat knows "drop it!" "get down from there" and "how did you even get in there?"
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:15 PM on April 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
We trained our cat to come when called, but I don't think she thinks of that as her name, because we only use it in that circumstance. Otherwise we call her "fishface", "catface", "little fishie", "kitty", "KitKat", and "oh, it's you, is it?". She always looks up for those words.
She is also well attuned to the sound of cling wrap, and to can opening.
posted by lollusc at 9:50 PM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
She is also well attuned to the sound of cling wrap, and to can opening.
posted by lollusc at 9:50 PM on April 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
My older cat LOVES his name and will always come when called by his full name "Caius Merlin Brittanicus". Whe I got him at the pound he was named Bacardi (ugh). On the ride home in the box he was crying piteously and I called him several names like Sweet Kitteh, Poor Kitty, Bacardi (ugh), etc, and after each one he would repeat his mournful cry. I was reading the Jack Whyte Arthur books at the time and tried intonlng Caius Merlin Brittanicus, and the cat gave a happy chirp. I tried all the names again, and again cries for all the names except Caius Merlin Brittanicus, for which he always made a happy sound. So that's what I called him the rest of the way home and he never cried anymore. He may stroll in for Caius, or Merlin, but he comes running when I call Caius Merlin Brittanicus!
My other cat, Baby Goat, will look up when called, but he may or may not come to me on command. But I didn't let him pick his own name.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:59 PM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
My other cat, Baby Goat, will look up when called, but he may or may not come to me on command. But I didn't let him pick his own name.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:59 PM on April 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
The kittens don't know their names, possibly because they are both completely black. While not identical, they are near enough to be impossible for me to distinguish without seeing their color-coded collars. Thus, I call to or start petting one with the wrong name constantly.
posted by JawnBigboote at 4:33 AM on April 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by JawnBigboote at 4:33 AM on April 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Baby White knows herself to be named Baby, Baby White, and Babytan. She helped me to learn how to conjugate Japanese verb forms, though she does not and never did respond to any of the following: Babu, Babimasu, Babimashita, Babondeimasu, Babimasen, or Babimasendeshita.
Gazpacho, while a stunningly dumb cat, recognizes and will respond to Gazpacho, Gazpachochan, Pacho, Pachochocho, Pachonyan, and of course, Gazpachachacha. She will heed me, though never Mrs. Ghidorah. When she decides that she will sit directly in front of the tv, all I have to do is say “Pacho, down!” and down she will hop. When she is trying to climb the screens (as a 5.5kg cat, there is no good outcome for this) a quick “Pacho, no” and she will cease her nefarious behavior.
We have still not figured out the proper phrasing for “no, silly, don’t eat that fast, you know it never wor- oh, damn, get the paper towel, she’s reverse eating again.”
posted by Ghidorah at 7:24 AM on April 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Gazpacho, while a stunningly dumb cat, recognizes and will respond to Gazpacho, Gazpachochan, Pacho, Pachochocho, Pachonyan, and of course, Gazpachachacha. She will heed me, though never Mrs. Ghidorah. When she decides that she will sit directly in front of the tv, all I have to do is say “Pacho, down!” and down she will hop. When she is trying to climb the screens (as a 5.5kg cat, there is no good outcome for this) a quick “Pacho, no” and she will cease her nefarious behavior.
We have still not figured out the proper phrasing for “no, silly, don’t eat that fast, you know it never wor- oh, damn, get the paper towel, she’s reverse eating again.”
posted by Ghidorah at 7:24 AM on April 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Cats Might Not Act Like It, But They Know Their Names As Well As Dogs, Study Says (Matthew Schwartz, NPR)
The study found one minor exception to cats recognizing their name: cats that lived with others in a cat cafe. Those cats could distinguish their name from random nouns, but not from the names of the other cats. Researchers offered multiple possible explanations — maybe different cafe customers call their names with different intonation, or maybe customers say a cat's name without offering a reward. "For example, if a visitor calls cat A, but cat B approaches to the visitor and cat B gets petting and treats instead of cat A," that would "make name discrimination less relevant for these cats," researchers wrote.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:27 PM on April 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
I taught a cat to say the wife's name. It took months; the hard part was convincing the cat it was her idea.
posted by onesidys at 6:10 PM on April 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by onesidys at 6:10 PM on April 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
I had one cat who never quite seemed to take to the name the shelter gave her, and which I kept (Mattie). Every once in awhile, I'd sit with her and say all the common cat names I could think of, looking to see if she reacted to any of them. Sometimes she'd turn her head or twitch an ear at "Smoky" or "Kitty," but not enough to warrant using them.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:44 PM on April 5, 2019
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:44 PM on April 5, 2019
« Older Fifty Shades of White | They're Not White! Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
Hubble
Mousecat/Bearcat
Poo/Poosy
Snooze
etc.
I can sense her being offended by the underestimating of her intelligence as I type.
posted by lydhre at 6:59 AM on April 4, 2019 [13 favorites]