“Pipi—dinner time!” — no reaction.“Mimi—the canned food is here!” — instant zooming sprint.Sound familiar?Before you start doubting your cat’s intelligence, science actually confirms this: cats really can recognize their own names!Researchers at the University of Tokyo conducted an experiment in multi-cat households. They played a sequence of words— including other cats’ names and words with similar sounds. The results showed that 75% of cats reacted when hearing their own name, with subtle signs like ear twitches or tail movements—even if the rest of their body couldn’t be bothered to move.
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Why Do Cats Sometimes Pretend They Can’t Hear You?
The answer might hurt a little:“I heard you, human. I just don’t feel like responding.”A cat’s hearing can reach 65,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to about 20,000 Hz—less than one-third of what a cat can perceive. Your cat can even detect the tiny crinkling sound of you opening a snack bag with pinpoint accuracy.So if your cat doesn’t respond when you call its name?It’s probably because you often combine its name with “terrifying activities” like bathing, nail trimming, or other unpleasant experiences.Your cat simply learned to associate its name with negative events.
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A Good Name Helps Your Cat Remember Better!
Ever wonder why so many cats in China end up being called “Mimi”?The secret lies in sound frequency.Cats are more sensitive to high-pitched sounds, including female voices. Names like “Mimi” or “Kitty” have sharp, high endings that naturally catch a cat’s attention.Plus, the “mi” sound is similar to a cat’s purr or meow, making cats instinctively feel:“Is this human trying to speak my language?”
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Naming Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t name your cat things like “Dinner,” “Food,” or “Canned Food”!Otherwise, when you say, “Er Gouzi, come eat,” the cat may only hear “eat,” and the entire feline household may come running.Shorter names work better!Studies show one- or two-syllable names like Tang-Tang or Oli get three times more response than long names like “Alexander Nicholas.”And whatever you do—don’t change the name!Cats rely on “sound = reward” associative memory. Changing the name is like making your cat relearn an entirely new language.
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Three Tricks to Train Even the Coldest Cat—Reliable Recall Is Possible!
Method 1: Turn the Name into a “Dinner Bell”Steps:Hold a treat, softly say the cat’s name, and the instant it looks at you, reward it.Over time, your cat will form this association:Name = delicious treats are coming!According to a Bilibili user, practicing this five times a day for one week made their cat knead eagerly the moment it heard its name.Method 2: Stop “Name PUA” (Negative Conditioning)If you scold your cat while using its name, it will start hiding every time it hears it.Remember: a cat’s name must only be associated with good things.Call its name gently when petting it; stay silent during nail trimming or chores.Only then will your cat think,“This sound means love.”Method 3: Use “Secret Codes” in Multi-Cat Homes.If you have five cats, try giving each one its own unique call sound!A sharp “da-da” for the eldest, a long “miaooo~” for the second, etc.Studies show cats can distinguish different tones. Over time, your cat will respond with a little “hey hey” attitude when it hears its specific name or call.
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Your Cat Might Even Know Your Name!
Research suggests that cats not only remember their own names but can also recognize the names of other cats—and even their human owners.For example, when the owner calls “Niuniu (another cat), come here,” most cats will turn their head toward Niuniu, showing they understand who the name refers to.One online user joked:“Every time I call my husband ‘jerk,’ my cat glares at him… Does it understand what that means?”
A cat’s response is never about “obedience.”It’s about the gentle message behind it:“I’m willing to turn around… for you.”Just like the cat named “Mimi” in that famous essay—curling into the blankets at night, pressing its face against its human’s cheek, purring softly.It spent its entire life answering the voice that called its name.What kind of cat do you have?What’s its name?When you call it, does it come running—or pretend it never heard you at all?You’re welcome to share your stories and photos in the comments.Let’s chat, exchange tips, and celebrate the joy of living with cats together.
