Cats can only understand a limited number of short words and phrases from their owners, such as “eat,” “sleep,” or “come here,” and will respond in their own way. Cats can also recognize their owners when spoken to and infer their owner’s meaning based on their tone and actions. However, cats do not comprehend language as fully as humans do.
Cats interact with us through meowing or by expressing themselves with body language.
According to Animal Path, scientific studies indicate that cats typically understand around 20 to 40 words. Some species can comprehend up to 50 words and can learn to identify their names.
It is more accurate to say that cats distinguish and associate words with specific objects rather than fully understanding them, expressing themselves through body language and vocalizations when playing, feeding, or being petted by their owners.
Perception Similar to Young Children
In this regard, the way cats receive and understand words is comparable to what occurs in young children.
Short and frequently used words are the easiest for them to recognize. Thanks to their owner’s body language and tone, they can associate spoken words with familiar objects or situations, such as food, playtime, or petting.
Cats understand or recognize their owner’s voice and pay attention when spoken to.
Notably, cats can easily recognize their names. They exhibit a special reaction when their owners call them and often respond with meows or by moving their heads, wagging their tails, and ears.
Do Cats Enjoy Being Talked To?
Cats lack the complete cognition to interpret human language fully.
If you feel that your cat does not readily respond when you talk to it, rest assured that they can recognize their owner’s voice and pay attention to human speech.
However, they respond more easily to calm and gentle voices.
Cats also pay attention to facial expressions and body language. A study shows that cats are observant of blinking.
According to a study from Japan, cats understand or recognize their owner’s voice and pay attention when spoken to.
Marilyn Krieger, a cat behaviorist from the University of California, USA, states that they are more likely to respond and interact with humans when spoken to in a calm, gentle tone.
This means that your tone and volume are crucial when communicating with cats, as it can make them feel threatened or reassured and loved by their owners.
Some cat owners attest that their pets respond to them through meows and purring when spoken to. Experts believe that cats enjoy being talked to as long as you don’t interrupt their sleep or meal times.
They have also observed that cats gather a lot of information by listening to human voices, observing facial expressions, and paying attention to body language.
Dr. Uri Burstyn, a veterinarian from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, notes that cats tend to pay more attention when spoken to in a high-pitched voice.
You can take advantage of this when naming your cat. Cats tend to respond when their names end with high-pitched sounds because it mimics the sound of prey.
When we talk to them, cats may respond with head movements, ear twitches, tail wags, or soft purring. They can also recognize their names when called by their owners.
