Tips For Teaching A Cat Its Name

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A cat or kitten can learn to answer to its name because cats are very intelligent animals and they learn quickly. They, like many of us, do tend to learn faster if there is some benefit to be gained such as affection or food. 

We can take advantage of this and use it to our advantage so that it becomes quite easy to teach a cat or kitten to respond to its name. 

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Note: The following techniques work great not only on teaching a young kitten its name, but also on older cats whose name you may want to change upon adoption or acquiring of the cat. 

1. It's the tone you use to call your cat that is most important. Using a coaxing, tender voice works best. 
2. Always link calling the name with something positive for the cat. You can feed your kitten, give it loving attention, or use a favorite toy or treat. 
3. Never allow your cat to link its name to anything unpleasant like being put in a carrier, being given medicine, or a loud noise. Obviously sometimes you do need to reprimand your cat for a transgression, but don't link its name to that on a regular basis. 
4. At first always reward your cat with a little treat whenever you call him or her and they come running. 
5. If you don't have a treat, reward them with affection, and a good pet, while using a gentle fond tone in your voice. 
6. Cats learn one and two syllable names faster than longer more elaborate names.
7. Make sure the kitten's name isn't confused with other words like "Come" and Tom - they sound a lot alike and can be confusing 
8. Try not to constantly use nicknames; they just confuse your cat.

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