Do kittys understand sign language?

Question

I know they don't right off, but can they learn that signs mean things?

I'm deaf and I sign to my kitty. I'm wondering though, does kitty know that I can't hear? She meows at me regardless.

I know that kittys respond to vocal inflections, but will she learn that certain movements mean that I'm happy with her and certain ones mean that she's been a naughty kitty?

She doesn't seem to be effected by my attempts to communicate, but then again, she is a cat.

Answer 1

While your cat may be unaware that you are deaf, she will respond to sign language eventually, so long as it's kept simple and not BSL. All our pets are classified as signers because they cannot speak.

My dog Rupert, uses sign language to communicate with me. If he wants to go out, he stands by the back door and brings me his lead. There are other ways in which he communicates such as pointing with his nose up or down the street when we're out at night if he thinks there's something 'going on'. He misses nothing. Good for him.

Keep training your cat and she will learn what your signs mean. Our pets communicate with us and other pets using sign language. High tail is a warning sign, for example. Letting other cats know you're about and "I've got claws"...etc.

Answer 2

Well, animals understand general body language. But, I don't think a cat could understand small hand gestures. Cats meow when they want attention, and they purr when they're happy, as long as they get what they want they don't care. My cat knows when I walk into the kitchen in the morning she's going to get a treat, and when I pick up the water sprayer it means she's doing something wrong. I think that's about it. It's just a cat, just play with her and don't expect too much.

Answer 3

cats are more self orientated but hun they are able to read each others body language so i think rather than sign use similar antics to the cat gape your mouth and show your teeth when angry and tilt your head slowly from side to side when happy or pleased.if you need her to stop something immediatly a plain and simple stamp of the foot should do the trick,they also say if a cat is behaving naughty to use a childs water pistol and they soon get the message good luck hun

Answer 4

Cats are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. If you have had your girl since she was a kitten, she probably is learning your body language and your sign language. Give her time, she will respond to you once she understands that you are not a talker. Cats have great eyesight and are good at reading subtle body language.

Answer 5

My cats respond to simple things, they know that if I point to the floor they will get down off the surface they are on, and they come and sit with me if I pat the sofa or something like that. Cats don't listen to vocal commands anyway, well mine don't that's for sure!!!

Answer 6

yes they can. my know down and out i just pouit to where i want them to go and it works. the other thing i would like to point out is that my mum adopted a 19 year old deaf cat and she taught her alot of sign b4 she passed away last month. so you can always teach a old CAT new tricks. i strongly beleive in it.

Answer 7

she will learn basic signs if you keep using them - it is your attitude with each sign that will teach her how you feel. But you must use the same sign with the same signals each time. For example, if you are cross with her, shake your hand or point your finger with a scowl but choose one or the other, not different ones each time.

Answer 8

Yes it is intirely possible as my cat understands sign language. my husband taught her.

Answer 9

cats unlike dogs,respond to actions,habits more then verbal commands.she'll catch on give her time

Answer 10

they communicate through tone of voice and understand you only that way