Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,
If you’re anything like me you may frequently question whether your little one understands when you speak to them.
I’ve personally trained Beau to come whenever we call him, just because he’s a bit of a naughty kitty… If ever hear that he’s getting into some trouble, I call him immediately and he comes running into whatever room I’m in. This actually proves to be a great tool, especially is Beau is eating something he shouldn’t be eating or playing with something he shouldn’t be playing with.
Over the years I’ve heard so many things like Cats can understand you, they just ignore you or cats only understand speech patterns but not words, or cats can’t understand you but understand the way you say things. So which is it? Or is it none of these?
There have been several different studies done on cats versus dogs and I’ll let you know what the most interesting ones have boiled down to:
John Bradshaw spoke to National Geographic about cats in relation to dogs and I found the interview quite interesting a major point stating that dogs know that humans are not dogs, but cats treat us like we are cats. This is seen by analyzing when dogs see humans, their behaviour changes, while cats act the same when humans are around and when there are no humans.
John also covers the fact that you can actually train cats… and they can train themselves to do naughty things. He states that naughty behaviour can be scolded with “traps” or a spray gun (as long as they don’t see you holding them), although we’ve gotten Beau to respond to verbal cues instead.
Can Cats Understand Language?
Research says that cats can understand from 25-35 words.
Do Cats Understand Emotion?
Yes, they do! Actually, I wrote a cheesy article about how Beau was the perfect cat for me which mentioned how my little bugger always knows when something is up with me. Actually right before we went to England, he wouldn’t let us say bye to him and kept running and hiding as if we were abandoning him.
Our cat sitter had the same issue with him when she had to take a day off. Even when she was back Beau acted weird for a while before he warmed up with her again, cozying up to her for safety.
Does my cat know its name, or who I am?
Good question. There have been many studies to see whether or not cats actually know who their owners are (or if they even know their names) and they have been proven true.
Although cats, unlike dogs, don’t always come walking towards their human when called, they do react to their owner’s voice and tend to ignore strangers.
Do cats speak to their humans?
They do! What I found the most interesting is that feral cats actually have different vocalizations from domestic cats (which is understandable.) We noticed Beau has a very different meow than Walker and my sister said Avery’s voice has changed over the years she’s had him.
So how many vocalizations do cats have?
Kittens have about 9 while adult cats have about 16.
So pet parents, do you have any experiences of your little ones responding to you or understanding what you say? Let us know in the comments below! I want to hear your stories.
Amanda L. says
June 7, 2019 at 9:23 pmI’m sure my oldest cat understands me.
Both our cats are rescue cats, the eldest is 4, Lily, followed by 2, Luna. While they get along very well, Luna is typically very close to me, like a youngest child – sleeping with me, cuddling with me, wanting me to play with her.
Lily was the baby for two months before we got Luna and still wants to do those things, but not if Luna is there. She wants both my attention and Luna’s attention.
They tend to want to play when the other one is sleeping, which is the main source of friction between them.
Lily is dominant, but Luna is a big kid and doesn’t always listen when told the first time by Lily – LOL.
Anyhow, Lily used to sleep in my bed every night too, even after Luna came. Then, a few weeks ago she stopped and started pulling away from me, while Luna stayed close.
So, one night I went out to the room she was in and told Lily, “Mummy really missed you sleeping in my room. I’m going to take this blanket and put it on my bed for you, and Mummy will be so happy if you come sleep with me.”
Sure enough, she came in a few hours later and has been in daily since.
I always talk to them like they understand all of what I say. When I have doctor appointments, I tell them about how long I’ll be gone and that I love them.
There have been other times where she has responded to what we have said, beyond the possibility of coincidence.
Good Day and purry blessings 😉
Johnny Salib says
June 7, 2019 at 11:28 pmThanks for sharing your experience with your kitties! They both sound extremely lovely! I feel like Beau understands us more than Kalista, or at least he’s much more observant and responsive. Kalista is a bit of a… well… a princess who doesn’t listen unless there’s something she wants! haha
Tanya Selth says
May 1, 2019 at 10:19 amMy cat comes when his name is called 95% of the time. My previous cats were not so obedient though I’m sure they knew their names but was just too lazy to obey. Up till recently, he used to also go inside when I asked him to do so (though lately he’s being a bit naughty and now making me carry him in)..
I’d be very interested to know just how much he understands.
Johnny Salib says
May 1, 2019 at 10:59 amHaha! I guess he’s now used to being treated like a king 😉
Tom says
April 2, 2019 at 1:42 pmMy cat “Samuelson” can understand a few words , my gf would tell him a spider was somewhere and hed find it and eat it or spend ages looking around for it ( i like spiders just my gf doesnt lol )
We used to live in a flat so would walk him on a lead , he understood “walk” and would often drag his lead to the door. He tends to follow me everywhere and refuses to leave the house until i have gone outside too lol even if my gf is outside .
A bit of subject but we got another cat a kitten which he hated and would always attack her , I assumed he would kill her if left alone . Anyway my gf had to wash this little kitten it was in such a bad state, only a bit of water was used but she was howling and Sam was going to mental , he opened the door ran to the bathroom started pawing at girlfriend to stop hurting the kitten when she said ” No ” he jumped and bit her back tore through her tshirt and bit her lol Phoebe the Kitten still covered in bubbles flees under the bed and theyve been best friends ever since .
Johnny Salib says
April 2, 2019 at 3:43 pmAw this is such a sweet story! That’s awesome that they got along after the bath! Also amazing that Sam knew to go hunting for spiders!
Maricar says
May 30, 2018 at 2:46 amMy cat, Ozzy, has his own bed outside my room. Every night, at around 9.30, i’ll stand by my door and will tell him, mommy wants to sleep now, go to your bed. And everytime be will say one meow, then will trot out of the room.
Johnny Salib says
May 30, 2018 at 4:12 amThat’s ADOOORABLE!
Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says
April 5, 2018 at 1:21 amI have had kitties that came running like a train to me when I called them…and those that ignored their name for the most part. Pipo will lead his ‘dad’ around the house, chattering away at him…and I think he hopes that hubby will stop to give him a belly rub. He rarely does that with me…though I am the one who feeds him and gives out the nip and the treats.
Minko knew when I was near the nip storage spot and would come running to the call for nip. His miaow was more of a sing-song, and Pipo is ore of a chirp to us and a loud yowl when he plays with his toys. He knows ‘no’ cause I have to deter him from eating/biting the plastic shrink wrap on things.
Of my earlier kitties, they knew several ‘commands’ to do tricks.
Johnny Salib says
April 5, 2018 at 8:59 amOh my gosh :’) These are all too great. Pipo sounds like Walker. He’s such a talker and whenever you say his name he will walk beside you chatting away
Eastside Cats says
March 21, 2018 at 5:11 pmNow I’m curious to know how you trained Beau to come to you when you called his name!
Johnny Salib says
March 22, 2018 at 9:02 amMaybe I’ll write a little piece about that in the near future ! 😀
Dennis the Vizsla says
March 18, 2018 at 7:58 pmhello johnny its dennis the vizsla dog hay the hipster kitties charlee and chaplin akchooally do come wen kalld!!! and charlee also plays fetch with a bal!!! i am pritty shoor they ar tiny littel dogs in disgize!!! ok bye
Johnny Salib says
March 19, 2018 at 11:36 amHahaha I feel like beau is the saame way! :’)
The Swiss Cats says
March 18, 2018 at 4:47 amOh yes, we can understand our humans. We just cho0se when we want to do it or not. Purrs
Johnny Salib says
March 18, 2018 at 11:11 amHahaha! How often is that though 😉
Alexandra says
March 17, 2018 at 9:51 amDefinitely !! They’re Ángels with tail and capacity to understand, I get stress when I can’t found them, I call them and they run faster to me. When my family travels , the cats are included ( they hate to travel), they hidded. I call them and there is no way they show up! So they clearly understand us and also the situation.
Johnny Salib says
March 17, 2018 at 7:05 pmHow far do you usually travel with them? I’m always so nervous to travel with my little ones.
William's Kith & Kin says
March 16, 2018 at 9:24 pmWe all know our names, as all the cats before us knew theirs. Some of us actually come when called! We also understand “eat” and “get off the table” and “get out of the sink” and “no,” although we choose to ignore the latter!
Johnny Salib says
March 17, 2018 at 7:04 pmHahaha! Sounds about right 😉
caren gittleman says
March 16, 2018 at 7:36 pmI believe completely that cats understand. We call Cody “Swedish Cody” because when we ask him a question he responds by saying “YAAAAAA” and he sounds Swedish lol. He also “talks” to my husband like crazy. He understands everything we tell him and he also comes when called and we didn’t train him to do that.
Ellen Pilch says
March 16, 2018 at 6:56 pmI am sure cats understand. and al our cats know their names- they have selective hearing though 🙂
Johnny Salib says
March 16, 2018 at 7:08 pmAbsolutely. Walker has such a selective hearing… he knows he’s being “a naughty” but will still keep up what he’s doing.
The Island Cats says
March 16, 2018 at 5:54 pmYeah, we can understand the humans…but most of the time we choose not to. 😉
Johnny Salib says
March 16, 2018 at 7:07 pmHAHAHA! It’s true, it’s true!
Crystal and Daisy Mae says
March 16, 2018 at 4:21 pmI believe cats can understand us. My Queen Daisy Mae can understand what we are saying even if try to spell words out that we don’t want her to understand. Some people say pets/animals are dumb, I disagree. I believe animals are smart.We should respect cats and other animals more than what we do.already.
Johnny Salib says
March 16, 2018 at 7:07 pmI agree. I think Beau knows a lot more than we think he knows. He definitely acts like he knows what’s up!
mommakatandherbearcat says
March 16, 2018 at 2:28 pmUs humans vastly underestimate the intellectual abilities and emotional aspects of cats. I was sure cats couldn’t understand our language until a few years ago. Bear snarfs down his wet food treat – often barfing afterward. There was one day where I left for a few hours and I told him that if there was food left when I got back, I’d give him treats. Sure enough, he didn’t touch his wet food while I was gone. I made the promise without thinking – but it made me truly paranoid about just how much they comprehend. I couldn’t bring myself to NOT give him treats … you know, just in case.
Johnny Salib says
March 16, 2018 at 7:06 pmHahaha, you can’t let him revolt against you 😉 Gotta give him the treats!