To the cat, wouldn’t saying its name at all be for “no reason,” even if it understands its name? It can’t really infer human reasoning unless it’s got something to do with feeding it or offering some other kind of direct interaction.
Getting a cat to come when called mostly hinges on its ability to recognize a benefit to coming over, not on its ability to recognize a specific word (though you can use a word as reinforcement once the desired behaviour is achieved). This is how you can train a cat to come when you say anything at all — its name isn’t a magic word that unlocks secret cat behaviour, it’s about the conditioning behind it.
All that to say that animals can recognize and respond to a new name, word, or action pretty easily when you use treats and positive reinforcement. My other cat (who recently passed away 😭) came running when I tapped my fingers on the ground because that was heavily associated with giving him treats and pets; I didn’t have to use his name to have him look at me or come over, he just did it based on the expectations that I fostered in him.
To the cat, wouldn’t saying its name at all be for “no reason,” even if it understands its name? It can’t really infer human reasoning unless it’s got something to do with feeding it or offering some other kind of direct interaction.
I wasn’t talking about the cat understanding human reasoning. Animals learn to respond to their names because they learn that certain things will happen after (e.g. getting food, pets, getting scolded or whatever). If then suddenly they keep hearing the same name, but all the interactions they’ve learned are stopped, they’ll be very confused.
Imagine if other people suddenly decided to change your name without telling you why, but they keep using your name every day. Wouldn’t feel nice, would it? It’s one thing if you totally stop using the name (like with “Tiny Rick”), but that’s not what the post is about.
If then suddenly they keep hearing the same name, but all the interactions they’ve learned are stopped, they’ll be very confused.
Why would that happen? I’m confused as to why you would stop petting your cat and giving them treats (assuming that this is normal for you) just because you changed its name.
Also I’m trans, so I have experienced being called the wrong name and have noticed that people picked up on verbal cues and used the name others used for me, which is sort of what happens with an animal when you start using a different name for them. They naturally adjust because their name doesn’t actually matter to them.
I (and my family) have adopted several cats who all had completely different names either at their previous homes or at the pound. Tiny Rick’s original name was Thomas, just FYI, so it was changed twice actually. It really isn’t the huge deal you’re making it out to be.
Why would that happen? I’m confused as to why you would stop petting your cat and giving them treats (assuming that this is normal for you) just because you changed its name.
I’m obviously not talking about no longer petting your cat. The whole topic of discussion is “should a cat called Connor suddenly no longer be called Connor”. The cat would still hear the name “Connor” every day, but they suddenly no longer get the interactions they associate with the name.
Am I now being clear? The situation you described (name of cat changes, old name is no longer used) is simply different.
To the cat, wouldn’t saying its name at all be for “no reason,” even if it understands its name? It can’t really infer human reasoning unless it’s got something to do with feeding it or offering some other kind of direct interaction.
Getting a cat to come when called mostly hinges on its ability to recognize a benefit to coming over, not on its ability to recognize a specific word (though you can use a word as reinforcement once the desired behaviour is achieved). This is how you can train a cat to come when you say anything at all — its name isn’t a magic word that unlocks secret cat behaviour, it’s about the conditioning behind it.
All that to say that animals can recognize and respond to a new name, word, or action pretty easily when you use treats and positive reinforcement. My other cat (who recently passed away 😭) came running when I tapped my fingers on the ground because that was heavily associated with giving him treats and pets; I didn’t have to use his name to have him look at me or come over, he just did it based on the expectations that I fostered in him.
I wasn’t talking about the cat understanding human reasoning. Animals learn to respond to their names because they learn that certain things will happen after (e.g. getting food, pets, getting scolded or whatever). If then suddenly they keep hearing the same name, but all the interactions they’ve learned are stopped, they’ll be very confused.
Imagine if other people suddenly decided to change your name without telling you why, but they keep using your name every day. Wouldn’t feel nice, would it? It’s one thing if you totally stop using the name (like with “Tiny Rick”), but that’s not what the post is about.
Why would that happen? I’m confused as to why you would stop petting your cat and giving them treats (assuming that this is normal for you) just because you changed its name.
Also I’m trans, so I have experienced being called the wrong name and have noticed that people picked up on verbal cues and used the name others used for me, which is sort of what happens with an animal when you start using a different name for them. They naturally adjust because their name doesn’t actually matter to them.
I (and my family) have adopted several cats who all had completely different names either at their previous homes or at the pound. Tiny Rick’s original name was Thomas, just FYI, so it was changed twice actually. It really isn’t the huge deal you’re making it out to be.
I’m obviously not talking about no longer petting your cat. The whole topic of discussion is “should a cat called Connor suddenly no longer be called Connor”. The cat would still hear the name “Connor” every day, but they suddenly no longer get the interactions they associate with the name.
Am I now being clear? The situation you described (name of cat changes, old name is no longer used) is simply different.