# Are you embarrassed when you talk to your cat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 24, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379 "2020-09-24T04:35:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/21 "2020-09-24T22:20:15Z")
The OP’s whole premise is predicated on the capacity for embarrassment. ISTM that everyone has different lines to cross to achieve embarrassment. For me, talking to a pet in a voice is not one of them. There are others, however… ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/22 "2020-09-25T01:38:14Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > My cats talk back! > > Me: “Kitty, when would you like to be fed?” > > Cat: “Meow!” My cats sound like Curly Howard. Bentley, our Korat, rarely meows, but he makes this sound constantly: [https://v637g.app.goo.gl/pH3RZ9Vksy7A5ZY56](https://v637g.app.goo.gl/pH3RZ9Vksy7A5ZY56) Tibby the tabby, makes this sound when he views potential prey through the window: [https://v637g.app.goo.gl/ERWuaZFZqg3EyFse7](https://v637g.app.goo.gl/ERWuaZFZqg3EyFse7) If either of them starts making this sound I’m going to see a psychiatrist: [https://v637g.app.goo.gl/1f25FZfJsRtobZmC8](https://v637g.app.goo.gl/1f25FZfJsRtobZmC8) ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/23 "2020-09-25T03:16:44Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > I get the feeling that cats recognize a person’s voice but not their names. I think that you might be wrong, because I know that our cats know their names. They also know each other’s names. If I start scolding one cat by name, the other ones either don’t react, or they look at the offender. The only embarrassing part of verbally scolding a cat is knowing that all I’m doing is making meaningless noise. It does entertain hubs, so I guess its all good. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/24 "2020-09-25T04:36:58Z")
Am I embarrassed to talk to cats or my fish? Please. I say goodnight etc. to my parents’ urns and I’m 98% sure that ghosts aren’t real so I’m aware that I’m literally talking to a container. Why would I be embarrassed to talk to something alive considering that? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/25 "2020-09-25T05:34:43Z")
I would be disturbed to meet someone who had pets, even their partner’s pets (if they lived together) and never spoke to them. Except, fish, I guess. Any pet that communicates with you should be communicated back with. It’s empathy. Not talking back would be a sign that you only talked to something that could benefit you. Obvs I’m discounting people who can’t actually talk for some reason. If you’re extremely allergic to all animals ever, you also have a get-out. Other people’s pets are a bit different, like other people’s kids - you’re allowed to ignore them if you don’t want pets. But having a pet in your household and never interacting would be weird. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/26 "2020-09-25T08:29:20Z")
Jolly good replies so far! But, I think some of you may be unclear about the “embarrassed” part of the question. Let me clarify. I’m not asking if you’re embarrased in front of your pets when you speak to them. That would be rather silly and pathologically sensitive. Heck, sometimes my pets even see me naked, and I’m not embarrassed about that (their look of disgust pisses me off, but that’s a question for another day…or perhaps a question for my therapist). I’m asking if you’d be embarrased if another human being overheard you speaking to your pets (like, for instance, your boss, or your mother-in-law, or QEII…). Because, admit it, you probably speak to your pets in a silly voice, a voice you do not use when addressing other human beings. With that in mind…fess up! Do you use a silly pet voice? Who would you not like to over-hear you speaking to your pets in that silly voice? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/27 "2020-09-25T09:15:40Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > So, fess up. Tell how you speak to your pets. I have three parrots. One of them is quite the talker. No swearing in front of the birds. Anything I say to them I say in a manner I wouldn’t mind hearing again, sometimes for an hour on repeat. Not embarrassed to talk to a pet that can actually answer me back. Not embarrassed to talk to one that can’t talk back, either - well, maybe fish because I doubt they can either hear me or lip-read. Granted, most people don’t have parrots. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/28 "2020-09-25T09:25:07Z")
OK, so how do I train my moggies to recognize their names? A few basic commands would not hurt either. I find that the cats do react to verbal admonition when misbehaving, well, sometimes, but more from the tone of voice, I think. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/29 "2020-09-25T10:32:49Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I have three parrots. One of them is quite the talker. > > No swearing in front of the birds. Anything I say to them I say in a manner I wouldn’t mind hearing again, sometimes for an hour on repeat. Peter Sellers in _The Party_ Birdie Num Num [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ajMqhpCBPAY/hqdefault.jpg "The Party - Peter Sellers (Birdie Num Num)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajMqhpCBPAY) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/30 "2020-09-25T11:10:43Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > But, I think some of you may be unclear about the “embarrassed” part of the question. Let me clarify. Actually, I’m more embarrassed when my cats jump on the kitchen counters when I have company over. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/31 "2020-09-25T13:17:20Z")
I talk in normal voice, and lager (the white cat) will answer; koritza (little orange cat) has gotten more talky as she has gotten older. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/32 "2020-09-25T14:36:02Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Actually, I’m more embarrassed when my cats jump on the kitchen counters when I have company over. I don’t recall being embarrassed by any of our cats (well, there was that time Iggy ate a neighbor’s parakeet, but that was more horror than embarrassment). Our dogs, however, are another matter. Butt-scooting across the carpet during parties, dry humping legs of delivery people…the list goes on. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/33 "2020-09-25T16:03:46Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I’m asking if you’d be embarrased if another human being overheard you speaking to your pets (like, for instance, your boss, or your mother-in-law, or QEII…). I understood your OP question, and my answer remains: No. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/34 "2020-09-25T19:21:07Z")
Just because they recognize their names doesn’t mean they will come when called unless they feel like doing so. One of my cats fetches one specific toy, but on his terms only and don’t even think about trying to get a video as proof. Cats instinctively know what cameras are, and when the camera is around all cute stuff stops but i can take as many pics of them licking their butts as I want. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/35 "2020-09-25T19:24:41Z")
We make smart ass responses from the cat in a sort of throaty cat voice. Sometimes I think we’re talking to each other via the cat ‘voice’. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/36 "2020-09-25T19:27:03Z")
I even sang “Happy Birthday” to my cat today (she’s 14). ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/37 "2020-09-25T21:14:14Z")
And, I trust you baked a nice mouse soufflé for your deserving ball of fur??? ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/38 "2020-09-25T22:29:02Z")
When I’m alone I sing spoofs of popular songs to my dogs, replacing key words with ‘Barkers’, Tail-waggers,’ and other dog-related references. Yes I’m a goofy person and yes I would be embarrassed. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/39 "2020-09-25T22:35:12Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > OK, so how do I train my moggies to recognize their names? [Cats recognize their names](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-recognize-their-own-names-even-if-they-choose-to-ignore-them/). Less eager to please us, they often just don’t show that they know you’re talking to them in the same ways dogs do. That they have more subtle reactions to being spoken to makes sense to me - on an average day most of their reactions are less excitable than a dog’s. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379/40 "2020-09-25T23:28:26Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > [Cats recognize their names](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-recognize-their-own-names-even-if-they-choose-to-ignore-them/). Less eager to please us, they often just don’t show that they know you’re talking to them in the same ways dogs do. That they have more subtle reactions to being spoken to makes sense to me - on an average day most of their reactions are less excitable than a dog’s. If I whisper his name, or just look at him, Bentley goes into crazy-mode and starts bouncing off the walls. But, Tibby is more reserved. If he’s facing away from me and I whisper his name, he gives me the “radar-ear” treatment. He doesn’t bother to move his head toward me (I’m not important enough for him to do that, even though I feed him, change his litter pan, pay his vet bills, and…!!!). He just rotates his left ear in my general direction. If I whisper his name again, he rotates his right ear. In his world, I just merit a twitch of the ear, nothing more. Cat’s really piss me off. I have no idea why I like them so much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-embarrassed-when-you-talk-to-your-cat/921379.md?page=3)