“The longer you’ve had a cat, the more you realize just how clever they are—almost like they’re little ‘cat geniuses.’ Take talking, for example. You might think your cat doesn’t understand, but their reactions often make us question that assumption. Not only can they ‘understand,’ but they also respond to what we say. Sometimes, it makes us believe they really do comprehend our words.”
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Responding to Their Name
Does your cat do this too? The moment you call its name, that little cat who was hiding somewhere suddenly comes running to you? Sometimes, it might not come right away, but it’ll peek its head out or meow a few times in response. Clearly, it understands when you call its name. The reason it can understand is directly related to how often you call it. Repeatedly calling your cat’s name creates an association between its name and various daily interactions, triggering a conditioned response. When you call its name, it knows you’re addressing it, and there’s likely something you want from it—whether it’s interaction or a tasty treat. Naturally, it gets excited. Each time you call and it responds, it shows how your cat understands and remembers specific language cues.
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Sensitivity to Tone
Although cats might not understand every word you say, they can definitely pick up on the tone of your voice to grasp the meaning behind your words. For instance, when you gently say, “Come here, let’s cuddle,” your cat may slowly walk over and snuggle close to you. Even if your cat doesn’t like cuddles, hearing your soft voice makes it feel happy and comfortable. On the other hand, if your cat scratches the sofa and you scold it with a sharp, higher-pitched voice saying, “No, stop that!” your cat will likely stop scratching immediately, realizing it’s being reprimanded. It will probably understand that it did something wrong. Overall, many cats are highly sensitive to emotional shifts in your tone and will adjust their behavior based on these cues.
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Understanding Specific Commands
While getting your cat to understand long sentences may be tricky, many cats can certainly grasp certain “phrases,” especially if these phrases are repeated frequently. For example, if you often say “treat time” and immediately offer your cat a treat, it will become very sensitive to that phrase. The next time you say “treat time,” even without giving a treat immediately, your cat might eagerly stare at you, expecting one. If you want your cat to learn more phrases, you can repeat them and encourage your cat. For instance, if you want your cat to understand “shake hands,” say the command and guide its paw into your hand. Once it succeeds, reward it with a treat or offer words of encouragement. After a few repetitions over time, your cat will start to understand similar phrases.
Now you know, cats might not understand long sentences, but they can definitely understand certain phrases. They’re also highly sensitive to the tone of our voices. Tone reflects our emotions, and cats can sense these emotional shifts in our tone and respond accordingly. So, do you think your cat understands what you’re saying?
