# Cat people: do you think your cats know the names we give them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2023, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719 "2023-03-27T17:23:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Houseofreg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dfb087/32.png) [@Houseofreg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Houseofreg)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/41 "2023-03-28T13:56:18Z")
I have two cats and I am pretty sure they know their own names and each others. If I say one of their names in a ‘telling off’ kind of way the one that is not being told off will look at the other cat instead of me. I guess to see what they are doing that warrants being told off. If I say their name in a nice voice their tale immediately goes up. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/42 "2023-03-28T15:48:32Z")
Most of ours respond to their name specifically. I doubt they understand the concept of naming, though. But one of ours might have understood. When we would call the name of another cat, he would immediately look at that cat. Whatever he was thinking, he was pretty damn clever. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/43 "2023-03-28T15:51:44Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I only ever used the one. The other two were locked in my cats’ heads, never to be known by me. My sister had a cat once who told them her name. They found her hiding under a car. People were trying to get the kitten to come out; she wouldn’t come – until my sister tried, and the kit came right to her. They tried various names, none of which quite seemed to fit. Then one day somebody said “banana” in her presence. She came running. ‘Banana?!’ ‘yes that’s me!’ ‘Nana?’ "That works too’. She was Nana for the rest of her life. – that was a very smart cat. They were living in grad student housing at the time, and only humans were allowed. That cat realized she was supposed to stay hidden, and pulled it off for quite a while. When she was eventually discovered, the housing authorites were apparently startled that sister and BIL chose to move rather than to abandon the cat. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/44 "2023-03-28T15:56:41Z")
One’s a big mean dummy, but we love him. I don’t think he knows his name (he may think it’s “knucklehead”). The other is very clever, opens all kinds of drawer doors and cupboards, and certainly knows her name. Though we do call her by a shortened version often enough that she may have learned it instead. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/45 "2023-03-28T16:02:56Z")
I’ve had several cats. One unambiguously knew his name. If we talked about him when he was around, he would look at whoever said his name. None of the others ever appeared to know their names, but I trained them all to come when I sang out “dinner time”. I would call that out the front door if I needed them to come home now. ---
**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/46 "2023-03-28T16:12:43Z")
My cat Junior is very responsive to his name and usually comes when called unless he’s very curled-up-comfy somewhere. I’ve conducted some basic experiments around the subject, like calling out a different name in the same cadence or altering the pitch and speed with which I call him - he definitely responds to the word “Junior.” This was relevant during the three-day car trip from California up to Minnesota. Junior _hates_ car rides and would cry and cry for _hours_ until eventually wearing himself out… But if my riding-buddy and I were so foolish as to mention his name (Looks like Junior finally went to sleep!) he would start right back up again. “Aha!” I imagine him thinking, “You HAVEN’T forgotten about me! I shall resume informing you just how much I hate this!” ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/47 "2023-03-28T16:18:26Z")
Yeah, Q’itih knows her name. She just now jumped down from her cat tower and laid down on the carpet. I said her name, and her head turned slightly in my direction and her right ear pivoted toward me. She also knows “good girl” and “food”. Otherwise, she could be fluent in seven languages for all I know. ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/48 "2023-03-28T16:43:42Z")
Until recently, I shared an apartment with a cat owner. While I lived there, the cat would demand to go into my room, and on two occasions I took care of him when his owner was away. The cat was named Muroslav. This is a play on the name Miroslav and the Slovak word for tabby. He was called Muro for short. When I needed him not to do something, I would call out his full name to him. It would get his attention. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/49 "2023-03-28T16:49:46Z")
They absolutely know their names\* and mine have always responded\*\* to their name and not the names of the other pets. \*this phonetic-sequence = me \*\*ear-twitch, hid under bed, hop up on bed, meow, roll over. ETA: current cat also knows _vet, treat, goo_ [hairball formula], _outside, down,_ and _[beloved catsitter’s name]._ ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/50 "2023-03-28T17:39:57Z")
Perhaps not directly related, but I always had the impression cats simply do not see that well (Wikipedia says visual acuity is between 20/100 and 20/100, for starters) ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/51 "2023-03-28T21:14:14Z")
I have never once said I have smart cats, LOL! > [@DPRK](#): > > Perhaps not directly related, but I always had the impression cats simply do not see that well I’m pretty sure that all of our cats have had better vision than me. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/52 "2023-03-28T21:40:26Z")
I had a cat once who I thought might have particularly poor vision, because he was very jumpy when anybody came near him, so I thought maybe he couldn’t see who was coming. Then one day I was hanging out the laundry, and that cat, next to me, started growling. I looked at him, and he was staring intently up the hill. I looked where he was looking – and saw, several hundred feet away, a strange dog crossing the field. He was able to tell, at that distance, that it was a strange dog and not our familiar dog at that time, who was in the same general size range. I don’t think it was scent, though I don’t remember whether I noticed whether the dog was upwind. But the cat was staring, not sniffing or flemening or widening his nostrils. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/53 "2023-03-28T21:44:48Z")
Yes, mine knows his name. We knew he could learn it because of another cat. The year before we adopted him, a friend asked if her cat, Meggy, could stay with us for 10 days while she went out of the country. We found out that Meggy knew her name one day when we got home and were talking by the front door. I asked “I wonder where Meggy is?” Right away Meggy meowed and came running down from upstairs. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/54 "2023-03-29T01:32:08Z")
Years ago, I was at my mom’s house on a late, rainy night. Andy Cat was out in the big back yard (where the horses boarded), probably getting wet, so I opened the garage and called out his name. “Andyyyyy!!!” In response, I heard a plaintive “meeeeow!” from out in the dark, followed seconds later by a blur of orange tabby fur running past me into the house. He definitely heard me call him, and he definitely replied. Now, I have two cats, and both Lucy and Ricky seem to recognize their names, as well, They’ll usually look when called, and occasionally come towards me, although neither is guaranteed. It’s kind of like talking with a teenager. > [@DPRK](#): > > Perhaps not directly related, but I always had the impression cats simply do not see that well (Wikipedia says visual acuity is between 20/100 and 20/100, for starters) I’ve always understood it that their vision up close isn’t good, but they see really well in low light (which would make sense for a crepuscular predator). When I put out treats, I will tap near them to get my cats’ attention, and then they usually smell their way to the food. I’m guessing that only turning on a night light in an otherwise dark room would provide cats their optimal environment for vision. > **[Are cats nocturnal or crepuscular?](https://www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/are-cats-nocturnal)** > > Does your cat become restless at dawn and dusk? It’s actually in your pet’s nature to pep up during these hours. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/55 "2023-03-29T04:31:01Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > crepuscular I surely do wish that was an easier word to spell because I keep getting lost in spellcheck hell when I start trying and speeling has never been my strong point. I think that cats must have great up close vision because they stalk small critters up close. I’ve watched cats stalk and pounce and they usually get pretty close before the pounce and their eyes are centered and focused. Of course I’m nowhere close to an expert, so take anything I say about cat vision with that in mind! ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/56 "2023-03-29T23:09:31Z")
Well, damn. One of mine just died. No warning, seemed to be fine yesterday, eating like a champ and running happily round the house. He was 13 years old & we knew he had some heart and kidney issues (almost all cats do at that age, I think) but we hoped we had it sort of managed with diet for a while. But this morning when I woke up he was dead on the floor beside the bed. RIP Squeaky. We loved you. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/57 "2023-03-29T23:19:54Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > RIP Squeaky. Condolences. RIP Squeaky. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/58 "2023-03-29T23:30:18Z")
Thanks. I guess, as they say: at least it was quick. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/59 "2023-03-29T23:43:58Z")
Since there are Cat people responsing to the thread, maybe one of you could tell me how you do that transformation. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719/60 "2023-03-30T00:16:17Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > But this morning when I woke up he was dead on the floor beside the bed. I once awoke to my Ruby (a Boston Terrier - forgive the intrusion in a Cat thread) dead in the hallway. It haunts me to this day. My heart aches for you. My condolences. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-do-you-think-your-cats-know-the-names-we-give-them/981719.md?page=4)