2007-06-11 08:12:28 · 18 answers · asked by sherri7416 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I think they can understand some things and can definitely understand your tone of voice.
My cat actually says, "No" to me all the time when she gets angry. I think they can pick up on things the longer they're around people that talk to them.
2007-06-11 08:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Kaycie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure my cats understand me. They know certain words like "out" and "dinner" and "treats". One of them can even say "out" and mean it.
I think it helps that we talk to them all the time as if they really do understand us. No baby talk for our cats, just regular conversation. And 2 of them talk back. When we come home from work or when they come in, they will chatter away for a couple of minutes. We assume they are telling us what happened to them that day. We just nod and say things like, "really?" and "so then what happened" at appropriate intervals.
It's a lot like talking to my mother on the phone ;-)
2007-06-11 09:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by KTempesta_81 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya sure, I taught my cat how to do my paper work :)
On a more serious note, research has shown that cats under prolonged contact with humans have a higher speech centre than other animals. This basically means that cats, more than others, understands speech and can also speak amongst themselves.
2007-06-11 08:25:59 · answer #3 · answered by Abhishek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They definitely understand tone of voice. If my cat were to be sniffing at something I didn't want her to mess with, I could yell "Good girl!!" in the same tone of voice that most people would yell "NO!" and she'd still slink away, knowing I dissapproved. Just like a dog. You can say "Oh you stupid ugly little puppy I hate you and you are so annoying." Butt if you say it in a loving sweet voice, the dog will look up at you adoringly with loving eyes and panting happily, tail wagging.
They also, like a dog, can definitely learn to understand simple words and phrases (especially their names. They easily learn that, even if there's more than one around). But (as do dogs) they go more by tone of voice.
Most importantly, they understand Love. Love is a language that crosses all species and language barriers.
2007-06-11 08:19:35 · answer #4 · answered by Shelly P. Tofu, E.M.T. 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even if they can't understand, they are the best listeners! My kitty loves to sit on my lap and hear about my day. But I think she understands something because whenever I'm sad or upset she nudges my face in an encouraging way.
2007-06-11 08:30:54 · answer #5 · answered by tnk3181979 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no proof, but I believe they can understand some things. For instance, my cats know their individual names and will come when called, however, they mostly respond to our tones of voice and physical actions.
2007-06-11 08:17:14 · answer #6 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't understand words but they understand tone.
my boyfriend's cat is very stupid. It does not understand anything except that if it's sprayed with water then it better stop what it's doing. Other than that nothing gets through to it!
I do not like cats for this very reason.
Dogs are loyal to their owner, can be trained and actually listen.
2007-06-11 08:18:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think all animals understand more than they let on. People like to think that they are the only intelligent creatures in the whole universe but I dont think that is the case.
2007-06-11 09:00:52 · answer #8 · answered by kystik83 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They understand more the tones of your voice, like when i shout at my fat cat to stop eating the others food he moews then runs off, they understand when your friendly, angry etc
2007-06-11 08:17:56 · answer #9 · answered by angijd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They definately understand "food"
I can tell my dog things like Get out of the kitchen, sleep in your bed.. etc. He actually understands me, I'm not giving him any commands.. Probably going to be like that with my new kitten
2007-06-11 08:17:50 · answer #10 · answered by Canine luver 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋