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Your Cat Doesn’t Come to You Because He Hates His Name — Here’s What to Do About It

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If you’re one of the many cat owners asking herself, “Does my cat love me?” on a regular basis, take comfort in the fact that your cat probably does like you — though he might really hate his name. Apparently, cats respond to some monikers more than others, which could explain why yours only comes around when it’s time for dinner. 

According to veterinarian Uri Burstyn, who goes by Dr. Uri on his YouTube channel, cats can hear high-pitched noises the best; most of their prey — think mice and birds — communicate at high frequencies. So if your cat’s name ends on a higher frequency, there’s a better chance your little fur ball will dignify your existence once in awhile. 

So what’s a good name for a cat? Something cutesy like Fluffy or Squeaky would work well, because they end with a high-pitched “eeeee” sound rather than a consonant. Names like Tigger, Oliver, or Luna are sweet, but they probably won’t get as much of a response out of your cat as something simple, like just plain ol’ “Kitty.” 

Dr. Uri’s explanation really makes sense when you think about it, especially when you consider that cats often respond the most to baby talk — which has a lot of high-pitched “eeeee” sounds. A lot of nicknames in the English language end in “y” or “ie,” so it shouldn’t be hard to come up with a list of options for your future cat. If you’re not super attached to your current cat’s name, you could even change it to something more attention-grabbing.

Use this same information when you’re training your cat, and you can teach him or her to come when you call their name. For example, let’s say you have a little princess named “Missy.” If you repeat her name frequently and raise your voice a bit every time, one day your furry friend will come running to shower you with adorable little headbutts. 

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