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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Do cats know their names?

16 replies

bonnymiffy · 08/10/2013 13:11

We've just acquired a cat, he is 5 years old, and has a name that implies he was one of a pair (think Fish and Chips, or Salt and Vinegar). So, as we only have one of the two, can we change it? will the cat wonder who we're talking about or won't he care so long as we feed him?
It was my husband's idea to get a pet, I don't have much experience of house animals as I didn't grow up with any, but will make him welcome now he's here!

OP posts:
itsnothingoriginal · 08/10/2013 13:34

My DH once adopted an older cat and changed its name successfully from Ginger to Jim so it can be done!

My kitten definitely either knows her name already or the sound of it as she will always come running if she hears us calling her (unless hunting is in progress of course!).

PartyFops · 08/10/2013 13:38

well, because your thead I just called that cat that was asleep on the arm of this by the name of my other cat whos probably stuffing his fat face somewhere and she looked up and came over just as she would have with her real name.

You can change a name i'm sure.

cozietoesie · 08/10/2013 15:26

Seniorboy certainly understands his name - although it's said in a certain way so that probably has something to do with it. You could certainly change it if you feel it's not 'him'.

(If in doubt, use old and new names together for a week and then drop the old one. As long as they're suitable for calling outside together if he's an outdoor-going cat!)

Slippersocklover · 08/10/2013 15:30

My rescue cat didn't ever respond to her original name, i changed it to something else with a similar sound/ first letter, and she know definitely knows her name and will come running when called. It's certainly worth a try!

issey6cats · 08/10/2013 16:02

my half siames had a name i didnt like when i adopted him so i changed it but it took him about 3 months to answer to his new name and not ch ch ch im sure he thought his new name was ch chc ch but once he got used to it he now answers to his name so yes it can be done but will take longer with an older cat

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/10/2013 16:06

My cat still responds to his old names. The breeder named him Spartacus then Peter.

We tried to change a cats name once but she stubbornly refused.

TheWinterOne · 08/10/2013 19:11

I like to think mine know their names. When they're out though I only have to call one and they both appear. It may be that they just recognise my tone of voice...

paneer · 08/10/2013 23:47

I think mine knows the sound and pitch of my voice rather than her actual name.

livinginwonderland · 09/10/2013 10:02

I think they recognise our voices over their names. Our Tom will respond to his name, but also any variation of his name (his name is Gizmo, but he's also known as Gizzy, Gizzy-boo, Gizzy-babe and Sir Giz-a-lot) and he responds to any of those.

Chibbs · 09/10/2013 10:08

i think mine knows his name, but we have a special word for dinner that he knows more! - we also use a variation of his dinner word as his name also ( eg dinner word is num num, we call him lam lam. )

MokuMoku · 09/10/2013 10:12

I don't know if mine knows his name or not.

He's a stray and I initially called him something else but then changed it. He didn't seem bothered. As long as I feed him and let him in/out he doesn't seem bothered about much though.

TheWinterOne · 09/10/2013 10:25

We keep their meat and biscuits in a cupboard that has a latch. As soon as they hear the click they come running. They instantly know food is due.

livinginwonderland · 09/10/2013 11:12

Winter ours too! If you get the biscuits out they come running no matter how far away they are!

sashh · 09/10/2013 12:35

yes

My current cat was a year old stray when she arrived, my previous one was a stray that had adopted my neighbours.

When there is no way to know their name you don't have a choice.

Calling the new name while getting ham or chicken out of the fridge often helps.

Morgause · 09/10/2013 12:36

Of course they do, but they may not be the ones given to them by humans.

T S Eliot knew -

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.

fluffydressinggown · 09/10/2013 19:36

We gave our three year old rescue a new name, she learned it in about 6 weeks and now answers to it. I say change it :)

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