Do you ever call your cat’s name only to see him return the call while giving you a motionless stare? If so, you might be curious as to whether your cat is aware of your efforts to grab his attention or if he has deliberately chosen to ignore you. It appears that cats comprehend human language, but not in the same manner as people do.
To find out if your cat understands what you’re talking to him, we talked to Dr. Jonathan Roberts, a remote veterinarian with Pet Keen, and Nora Glover, a cat care and training specialist who founded and serves as editor in chief of Catademy.
Do cats understand human language?
Technically speaking, cats are unable to comprehend human language because of their immature cognitive abilities, according to Glover. Cats can communicate with us by meowing, and we can understand what they are trying to convey. They are aware that we are speaking to them, but they are unable to understand what we are saying. Dr. Roberts said, “This is like when cats meow at us.” “We know they’re talking, but we don’t understand what they’re saying,”
Your cat can pick up on signs from your body language and tone of voice, much like you can tell when your cat is happy when he’s kneading and purring. Because they aren’t as driven to please their owners as dogs are, cats may also appear to lack a human understanding. But if you speak to your cat, he can identify you. He might simply decide to disregard it.
Do cats understand English?
Due to the fact that cats lack the same physiological vocal structure as people do, they are unable to understand English. However, they are able to comprehend sound and become accustomed to it. Giving the same command line repeatedly while performing an activity also helps cats learn the language, just like it does for dogs. When it comes to their capacity to understand voice commands in the same manner that dogs do, cats don’t appear to get as much credit as dogs do.
Cats can be tricky to read, and they probably think the same about humans. Some people who have cats like conversing with them in the same manner they would with a young child. Since domestic cats have lived with humans for so long, they have undoubtedly picked up some human cues. However, as any cat owner will confirm, cats don’t always respond in the greatest way.
How many words do cats understand?
Cats are capable of understanding some words, but they do it by connecting certain words or sounds to specific things. Scientists claim that cats can associate vocalizations of 25 to 40 words with specific things, behaviors, and individuals, according to Glover. “However, their conception of language differs from ours.” The problem is that cats are unable to distinguish between different words and sound categories. They memorize all alerting sounds, whether frequent or infrequent, as well as the sensuous responses that occur in their bodies and thoughts.
So when you walk to the kitchen and tell your cat it’s dinnertime, your cat might come running to you—not because he actually understands what dinnertime means—but because he equates the sound of the word with obtaining food.
Do cats like being talked to?
Talking to your cat is actually an excellent approach to strengthen your relationship with him because cats do prefer to be talked to. Cats are extremely gregarious creatures that value verbal communication, according to Dr. Roberts. “It has a great impact on stress and mental health for both you and your cat,” says the author. “Not only does it improve the link between pet and owner.” Cats can even identify their owners’ voices, according to studies, and react accordingly.
Dr. Roberts said that cats “tend to only respond to the voices of their owners and will only pay attention to voices they are familiar with.” Even though your cat won’t understand everything you say, he can sense your feelings, so you should attempt to be upbeat when speaking to him so that he feels at ease around you. According to Dr. Roberts, “cats respond better to a gentle and calm voice and can easily interpret your emotions.”
Do cats know their names?
Cats are able to remember their names, but like other words, they are unable to comprehend their meaning. Your cat knows his name as a label for himself, but relates it with being fed or petted since you call him when you do. According to Glover, it appears that cats can recognize that the sound of their name is uniquely theirs but cannot identify it as their name. It’s merely one of the noises they identify as calling.
Because of this, if you have several cats, they might all respond to one of their names. They connect any cat’s name with either food or affection. For instance, a research found that cats at cat cafés had more difficulty telling their names apart from those of the other cats they lived with. This is probably because customers will call the names of various cats in the café and will treat or pet whichever animal approaches them. As I have several cats, you might observe that sometimes all of them respond when you call only one of them, according to Glover. “At the same time, they may all occasionally choose not to respond if they currently have a more alluring stimulus!”
The next time you call your cat, pay special attention to his body language if it appears that he doesn’t recognize his name since he doesn’t come when you call. Cats frequently turn their heads or ears instead of approaching you.
How to teach your cat his name
By calling your cat’s name and rewarding him with a treat when he answers, you can teach him to come when called. Choose a treat that your cat enjoys and a calm, distraction-free setting, advised Dr. Roberts. “Calmly and clearly call your cat’s name.” “Reward your cat with a treat when they respond to you, whether it’s through vocalization, ear flicking, or strolling toward you.”
