Are there people who don’t talk to their pets?

[BarrelOfOtters]

Inspired by the poster who is wondering if talking to your cat means you are old.

surely everyone talks to their pets?

I have had quite long chats with cats over the years…mostly about food to be fair.

and dogs are excellent listeners.

Yes, I waffle on to my cats about all sorts. I also try to talk to them in their own language by repeating their noises back to them - they never seem very impressed.

He does @WendysWindyHouse

Of course I talk to our pets, it would be very weird not to. I have only ever known on person who didn't talk to their pets and that was a boss I had many years ago who had 2 siamese cats. I had a siamese at the time and mentioned how talkative they are and how I chatted to him and my boss said "why would I talk to my cats when they don't understand".

I have 2 dogs now and one of them is very vocal and me and DH can literally have a conversation with him. One of us will say something to him and he will respond. He makes all sorts of noises not just barks and waits until we have stopped talking before he answers. We would both love to know what he saying to us.

We talk to them on walks like asking them which way they want to go, pointing out anything interesting etc.

I talk to my rabbits constantly, they live in the garden and I love to talk to them as I walk to/from the office.

The neighbours did have to explain to their builders once, that I was talking to the animals and not randomly at them.

I also talk to all animals I see.

But I also talk to my kettle etc.

I really hope so

Of course I do. Who else is going to tell my cat she's a pretty princess?

We talked constantly to our darling dog and when she 'replied' she had a strong Bristolian accent and a terrible potty mouth.

I also talk (and often wave) to plants and animals and my husband calls all the hens 'darling'.

I have three cats and I talk to them a lot.

I also say hello to every cat and most dogs I meet out and about.

My mum would sometimes say "Did you say something?" and I'd have to tell her "I was talking to Daisy!"

My cats are rescues from Dubai, I learnt a couple of words of Arabic to get us over the language barrier

Tbf they are very talkative, mostly demands, but also say hello where are you? When they come inside.

Me and my DH have passive aggressive digs at each other through the cats like "oh daddy hasn't changed your water bowl again, naughty daddy"

Why get an animal you don't talk to - they have all 5 senses just like we do!! My dog is full engaged and alert in conversation with me and responds mostly in tail sign language. Sometimes we don't talk much but how else is she supposed to know I appreciate her bringing me my socks to me like she's not the one who stole them

I can just imagine her innocent expression! 😄

OP, my snake died and I buried him on the weekend. I talked to him as I took him outside. This morning the dog (who's a bit unsteady first thing) shook himself while on slippery floor and fell over and all of us were on him like the best support team you've ever seen, asking if he was ok and giving him rubs. (He was fine.) Before that I was putting my hand into the tank of our other snake which is very skittish, talking to it and letting it get used to me so it's less stressed about handling.

I don't know how people don't talk to animals. I whisper 'hey puppy' to dogs that aren't allowed to properly greet me as they pass me.

I can't believe there are people who don't say hello to every cat and dog they pass in the street!

I talk to my dog all the time. My dh will ask me when he comes in from work how many times I've told the dog that he's a good boy 🤣

Of course. I address them as I do humans (probably better in some cases), I greet my brothers dog with the same delight she shows at seeing me, and I constantly talk to my dogs and I include them in everything (TBF they pretty much include themselves) "Should we go and do the washing up then?" I mean they do stand guard while I do it, in case I'm attacked by a homicidal sponge, so their input is essential.

They both are quite vocal and huff, 'grumble' (not aggressive growling but a low vocalisation of excitement or frustration if I'm a bit slow getting them out the door for example) and low woofs when appropriate. I talk to them constantly while we're out -

"We're going this way"
"Put the stick down, it's bigger than you" (said to the JRT dragging half a tree along)
"No you can't fly after that bird, not even with those ridiculous ears" (said to the spaniel who has the biggest ears I've ever seen on a spaniel and is convinced she can use them to pursue birds).
"Topdog, Topdog, Tooopdooog" ....... Tumbleweed "Topdog now!" Top dog appears.

And of course the 14 million 'Good girl' and variations of just for existing.

When I had a horse and was the first one at the yard we'd all feed/turn out if we got there first and I greeted them with "Hello kids" and chattered away as I fed and turned out.

I don't just talk to my pets, I talk to the wildlife and my plants too! I have some very tame garden birds who'll perch close by when I'm doing my pots (they know they'll get lots of juice fat grubs, as I unearth yet more vine weevils!) I natter away to them, the Robin and blackbird quite off sing back to me!

I also have to say hello (at least) to every cat and dog and, quite often, birds, squirrels etc,

When I pass a dog in the street being walked I will often say hello to the dog and just smile at the owner. Sometimes I say something like "hello gorgeous" or "oh you are handsome" and the owner laughs.

When we walk past horses in the field I say hello or shout it if they are not close and tell my dogs to say hello to them too!

Love this. Our rescue cat, when he first arrived was French and his background was that of a Private Investigator apparently. It was wonderful fun but slightly exhausting

Now that he's settled in, he has <ahem> now adopted more of a British accent. He has a penchant for ending most words with 'o' therefore Hello is Hello-o and he gets frequently 'Upsetto Spaghetto' when he's not having all the attention.

Except he does get all the attention as me and DD make sure of that.

I mean they do stand guard while I do it, in case I'm attacked by a homicidal sponge, so their input is essential.

Haha. My cat pushes the door open when I'm in the loo, stalks around with tail aloft then leaves declaring "there is no bathroom related danger here, you are free to continue"

This morning I gushed Ugh I just love you so much! You're so cute!
Dc and DH all yelled replies. I was talking to the dogs.

DH and I have 3 way conversations with the dog, with one or both of us doing her 'voice'. She has a habit of claiming to be multiple different nationalities in order to try and claim anything we are eating 'oh, I see you have sushi, did I ever tell you I'm part Japanese..... etc'

I not only talk to my dog, I act as his personal Johnny Morris (a reference for the oldies).