Cats are very intelligent but their reaction to owners calling their names can be somewhat selective. Unlike dogs, they just don't seem to be bothered when they're addressed.
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Do cats actually know what they are called? Scientists have been scratching their heads over the same question for years, and they have a pretty solid answer. In fact, you can even test your kitty yourself.
Do cats recognise their name?
In April 2019, a Japanese study investigated 78 cats in a bid to understand if they could distinguish their names from other random words spoken to them.
Most cats lived with their families, some alone and others in multi-cat homes, but a few others were living in a cat café.
The results demonstrated that the cats actually did respond to their own names.
While in their homes, they initially seemed to react to the first few words that sounded similar to their names. However, they eventually got bored and started ignoring these words until it came to their actual names. Once they heard their names, they immediately perked up and would show signs that they were listening and even intrigued. They would twitch their ears, move their heads, meow, and sometimes, even get up.
Why doesn’t your cat come when called?
Cats are not the most cooperative species. Even if they recognise their names, they may choose to ignore you. How, and when, a cat responds likely depends on its kitty nature, motivation, and current feelings.
When you're not offering treats or play sessions, the sound of their name is just not as big of a motivator as you think it should be. They may simply be too busy doing nothing to come when you call them.
Test your cat at home
You can try conducting your own experiment on your cat using the same techniques used in the Japanese study.
Pick four different words that have a similar length to your cat’s name. Say each word without any inflexion or tone, and pause for about 10 to 15 seconds between them. Then, say your cat’s name exactly the same way as the other words.
If your cat reacts in some way, the chances are they do indeed know their name.
Sources used:
- Pet Keen: Do Cats Know Their Names? Here’s What Science Says
- Daily Paws: Do Cats Know Their Names?
