Does your cat come when you call its name?

Question

I don't understand.. When I go to people's houses they're cats just seem to do whatever they please. They don't even come when you call them.. None of my cats have been like this, and they have all picked up on their name and come when I call.

Why do some cats ignore people? Is it because their owners don't give them enough attention?

Answer 1

Yes, you got it right. The owners don't care if their cat comes to it's name or not. It's not a priority for some owners to stress the "come word" to their cats. They don't care.

Cat's can be trained like dogs to come to their name and they most definitely do so. Also cats will mind you like a dog if you train them to.

But, of course, my cats have always been obedient. I do agree with some comments here--some cats are different in this respect.

So, given your question, I think you are such a good owner of your cats and thank you for sharing this with the group around the world.

Answer 2

No that has nothing to do with it. Cats know their people and if they don't want to come to you they don't. They are not like dogs as you know. Cats are extremely independant and do things on their terms. My cat has numerous names some not so cute, she is very settled and likes everyone but cattatude, sometimes she will run and answer the door before me other times she could care less. It has nothing to do with the owners. Your cats come when they are called because you are the owner, if a stranger called them they might not come.

Answer 3

Calling critters .. a sign spotted in a vet clinic:
Dogs come when they are called.
Cats tell you to leave a message and they'll get back to you.

I don't think it has anything to do with owners. It's just the way cats are.

Many big cats (except lions) are solitary, whereas wild canines tend to live in packs.

While my cat knows when I'm telling him something or hollering at him... if I call him, I know he hears me.. he just doesn't always choose to listen to me. He usually does the typical cat thing: he comes if he's in the right mood on his terms unless I grab him (especially if I mention a vet visit!).

On the other hand, my aunt's cat is a "ghost cat" as far as my family is concerned. You could call that cat until you're blue in the face and you'd be lucky if you even see a flash of fur.

Both of us love our cats to death and spoil them in our own ways. But my cat is a social attention-lover whereas my aunt's kitty was a stray who has never gotten used to people outside those she spends the most time with.

Answer 4

I have owned cats that would not always come when called, only when they felt like it. The two cats I have now, a brother and sister, I've raised from birth and they were named by 2 weeks, and had their names reinforced repeatedly (at feeding time, at playtime, at cuddling time), so they both know their own names and both come when called (unless they're playing hide-and-seek). They also know to wait for the command "come up" before jump on a person's lap, and usually are respectful of "no" rules, unless you're not looking :).

Answer 5

Both my cats come when called unless they have to go to the vet. How they know the difference is a mystery. My Siamese loves attention and treats so when he's called, he comes running. He's such a goof!
When people come over though, they might come out. It's mostly out of curiousity than anything else - not because they're called.

Answer 6

My cats come when called, sometimes, if they're in the mood to move, or if I'm offering them food. Most of the time they follow me around like little lost puppies. When I'm doing dishes they lay at my feet. When I'm in the bathroom they sit on the floor next to me, on the sink, or on the back of the toilet. When I'm in bed, they're right there either next to me, by my feet, or on my pillow. When I sit in a chair to watch TV they have to be right there on my lap. There are really very few times when I have to call them, but when I do, they usually come running.

So, I guess maybe your friends' cats don't come because they aren't paid enough attention to, aren't loved enough, or get pushed away every time they come seeking attention. Or maybe they are just aloof kitties.

Answer 7

All the cats Ive known know their own names. Cats are rather snobby and depending on each individual cat and their personality they will come or they will ignore you and seek your worship when their in the mood. My cats generally dont come if called. They have attitudes and will only come if they wish for my attention other wise forget it. But if I need them such as dinner time or curfew, I whistle and they come running.

Answer 8

Cats are very indepentdent animals. I have 6. Some come to me when I call there name and some just look at me like "why are you bothering me?". One of my cats knows her name but will only come if I call "kitty,kitty".

Cats are strange animals and don't always want to be bothered. Some also sleep very sound and don't wake up when called. Some are just lazy.

I know some cats that think that they are higher in the "pecking order" then their humans.

Answer 9

My kitten comes when I call his name. When I was growing up I had a cat that did not come to his name being called. I believe it has to do with the bond between the cat and the humans. My husband can call my kittens name and my kitten will sit there and look at my husband as if he is stupid, and within seconds I will call his name he comes directly to me.

Answer 10

My cats come to me when I call them. They are spoiled. I think your right, those other cats just don't get enough attention. They know what their food bag sounds like, their treats, and their names, they come for all of them.