12 steps to help your cat learn her name
Most cat owners understand the frustration of being ignored by your cat when you call her.
Cats are independent, and they do what they want, when they want, and only if they will benefit from it. But there are a few ways to get your cat to react to her name, whether she is still a kitten or already an adult, and we’re sharing the secrets with you.
1. START YOUNG
Teaching your kitten her name is a little easier when she is still young than when she is an adult cat, so the earlier you start, the better. However, whether your cat is still a kitten or already an adult, it is going to take time and patience to teach her her name.
2. EASY NAME
You need to decide on a name that you like using – the shorter, the better. Cats prefer short names, which are also easier to call out than names with two, three or four syllables. So, if you need to choose between Thor and Destroyer of Evil, Thor would be the better choice!
3. CONSISTENCY
Be consistent with her name and avoid starting to use nicknames in the early stages. Your cat needs to hear her name as much as possible, so that she can get used to it. Calling her using different names will just confuse her.
4. EVERY DAY
You will need to do short sessions during the day, every day, and you need to keep doing this until she responds to her name. Don’t give up and don’t stop calling her name when she reacts to it.
5. LOCATION
At first, use a room from where your cat cannot escape, and where there are no distractions. Don’t keep her there for extended periods – only for the short training sessions.
6. REWARD
Cats are fussy, and she won’t do something just for praise, so get some very tasty, high-value treats that she’ll enjoy.
7. PERFECT TIMING
A good time to do this training would be before feeding her. A hungry cat is more likely to come and eat the treat and, in doing so, respond to her name and engage in the training session.
8. SAY HER NAME
Sit on the floor and hold out the treat. If you feel your cat is too nervous to come close to your hand, put one treat in a bowl nearby. Call your cat by her name and, if she comes to the food, say her name again and give her the treat.
Always use a kind, soft tone of voice when using her name. Make the whole process as pleasant as possible.
9. REPETITION
Do about 10–15 repetitions of calling and treating her during a session.
10. NEW LOCATION
Once you feel that your cat is responding to her name, try a new location. Call and treat her all around the house, gradually increasing the distance between you and your cat.
11. FAMILY EFFORT
When your cat is responding to her name, get the other members of the family to start calling her using her name as well. Remind them to use a soft tone of voice.
12. CONSULT THE VET
If you find that, after some time, your cat is still not responding to her name, check in with your vet to make sure that she doesn’t have a hearing problem.
Read 10 tips for naming your fur-baby here.
