Do Cats Like When You Talk to Them? Benefits & Bonding Tips - Catster (2024)

Cats are often solitary creatures who prefer to be left to their own devices. While many cat owners may tend to cave to this type of aloofness in their kitties, you don’t have to. Talking to your cat and letting them hear your voice is a great way to form a bond with even the most stubborn kitty out there. But does your cat like it when you talk to them? The answer to that question is a resounding yes!

Whether they would be willing to admit it or not, cats can be loving pets. They need interaction, especially with their owners. Let’s take a look at what talking to your cat can do for both of you. You’ll find yourself chatting with your feline friend more often once you understand how much they enjoy it.

Talking With Your Kitty

When talking with your cat, you’ll get a noticeably different reaction than you would if you were chatting up your dog. Cats are known for their ability to ignore their owners when they choose. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. According to studies conducted, cats enjoy their owner’s voice and even recognize their names over time.

Of course, when talking with your kitty, the tone of voice you use matters. Cats can be comforted by a calm, soft tone. They even like high-pitched voices. Like with other animals and even humans, they can go on alert if the tone is distressing or overtly loud. Have you ever noticed how your cat will scamper away when someone is yelling? This is why.

Do Cats Understand What You’re Saying?

In most cases, your cat doesn’t know what you’re talking about when you’re chatting them up. While they may recognize their name or certain words that associate with things they love, like dinner time, they don’t understand how annoying your co-workers can be or why you’re upset with your significant other. Most likely, when you speak to your cat, especially in high-pitched tones or baby talk, your kitty thinks you’re prey. This is why you’ll notice their eyes rounding or them giving you their full attention while you speak. In their mind, they’re stalking you.

The 5 Benefits of Talking to Your Cat:

You may not realize it, but there are a lot of benefits that come from talking with your kitty. Let’s take a look at a few of them below.

1. Your Cat Feels Understood

The more you talk with your cat, the more they will vocalize in return. When this happens, you’ll learn to understand their tones and needs more. When communicating with your cat, if you are aware of him or her wanting cuddles, pets, or treats, try to accommodate them. This can strengthen your cat’s confidence when it comes to communicating with you.

2. Promotes Bonding

Cats want to bond with their owners. If you take the time to communicate with them in soft, calming tones, that bond will strengthen faster. Your tone and the affection you offer during these periods can help show your cat that you love them and want to spend time with them.

3. Helps With Loneliness

No one wants to feel lonely. By talking with your cat, you can avoid this unwanted feeling for both of you. Happy tones help make both you and your cat feel less lonely. Whether you’re simply talking about your day or telling your kitty how much you love them, you’ll feel like you’re talking with a friend instead of a pet during most of your interactions.

4. Stimulates Learning

Many claim cats can’t be taught commands, but that isn’t true. Cats are highly intelligent. When you talk with your cat often, they learn to recognize your voice, tone, and even body language. If you want to teach your kitty certain commands, this can be quite helpful.

5. May Alert You When Your Kitty Is Sick

One of the most important reasons you should talk with your kitty is the return meows and purrs you receive. The more the two of you communicate, the more you’ll recognize your kitty’s normal reactions. This is a great tool if your cat is feeling under the weather. Often, when a cat is sick, its meows will be meek or noticeably different. You can pick up on this and get the treatments they may require from the veterinarian.

How to Speak to Your Cat

Communicating with your cat is very similar to how you speak to a dog. If your kitty is misbehaving, you should use a tone that shows authority. If you use the same high-pitched, happy voice you praise your kitty with, they will get confused. Always use proper tones with your pet so they understand what you’re trying to communicate to them.

In Conclusion

As you can see, talking to your cat is a great thing. Your cat loves it, and of course, you will too. Don’t be afraid to carry on a conversation with your pet when it’s just the two of you. While they may not know what’s going on in your life, it can be beneficial for both of you to have a friend who is there to listen at any time, no matter the situation.

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