Cats are known for being aloof and finicky at times but they do have a social side to them. Being the social creatures that they are, felines are believed to enjoy communicating with their owners through various vocalizations. Are you wondering if your cat understands you when you talk to her about your day or any topic under the sun?
Do cats like being talked to?
Yes, cats like being talked to and there are scientific studies that back it up including a study by Japanese researchers at the University of Tokyo. It revealed that cats can understand their owner’s voice and they pay attention when talked to. Cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger also notes that cats are more likely to respond and socialize with their humans if spoken to in a soft and calm voice. This indicates that the tone and volume of the voice are essential when talking to cats since they may feel safe or threatened depending on the tone or loudness of the human voice.
Krieger also says that cats understand their names and come when called by their owners. The cat behaviorist also emphasizes that human actions and the way cats interpret them are also vital factors that allow cats to understand humans. Similarly, cat owners attest that their cats like being talked to and that they tend to understand words.
Some cat owners also agree that cats respond and talk back to their humans through vocalizations like meowing and purring. On observation is that cats do like being talked to as long as you are not interrupting them while eating or sleeping. Felines can gather lots of information by listening to the tone of their human’s voice along with watching their facial expressions and paying attention to their body language.
Interestingly, cats tend to pay more attention if they are talked to in a high-pitched voice, according to Dr. Uri Burstyn, a veterinarian from Vancouver, British Columbia. He notes that this helps a lot when it comes to naming your cats. Cats tend to respond and react better if the name ends in a high-pitched sound because they can pick up this type of sound better, one that is similar to the sound of their prey such as birds and mice.
Reasons why you should talk to your cat
These are the reasons why you should talk to your cat:
1. It helps your cat to feel understood.
If you talk to your cat you will gradually understand her various vocalizations and varying types of meows. This makes your cat more secure and understood especially when you respond to her meows by giving her what she is asking for such as food or cuddles.
2. It strengthens your bond with your cat.
Talking to your cat in a soft and calm tone lets your cat feel that you care for her and love her. It strengthens the bond between you and your cat especially when you communicate to her with affection and fondness. You may also check out our earlier article on 21 ways to make your cat love you for additional information on establishing a strong bond with your furry baby.
3. It helps in teaching commands.
Talking to your cat is a great way to teach commands since cats may be able to identify words and the accompanying gestures especially if you are using other training techniques. Cats are smart and they can easily understand your body language and tone of voice.
4. You notice changes in her voice.
If you have become used to your cat’s voice you may be able to notice warning signs of illness. Since a cat’s voice may subtly change if she is unwell.
5. It makes you and your cat feel less lonely.
Having someone to talk to although it may be your cat and regardless if she understands you or not makes you less lonely and alone. Just having someone whom you can express your feelings to can be very helpful. Also, talking in a happy tone to your cat may improve your mood especially if you are feeling down on a particular day. Needless to say, the more you talk with your cat the more likely there is a positive impact on your mental health.
Tips on how to speak “cat”
Here are some helpful tips on how to speak “cat”:
- If you say “down” or “no” using the same tone when you say “good kitty here’s your treat” it may confuse your cat and she may misinterpret what you are saying.
- To correct your cat if she is misbehaving, speak in a loud, firm and authoritative voice and use this same tone along with body language such as making a stern face and using one of your hands to point down when you are ordering your cat with the word “down”.
- Use a high-pitched happy voice if you are praising or calling your cat to dinner or if you are offering treats and accompany that with a smile and hand gesture.
- Firmly say “no” and gently push your cat away without showing attention if she is begging for attention or trying to distract you while you are accomplishing tasks or working on your computer.
Conclusion
While cats tend to be aloof they like being talked to by their owners. Felines can identify their owner’s voice and tend to understand what the words mean especially if it is accompanied by the appropriate body language and gestures. Cat experts attest that cats respond more if spoken in a soft and calm voice and that the tone and volume of voice is important when talking to them since they may feel safe or threatened depending on these factors.
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