My cat is slowly coming out of hiding.....

J

joditoad1974

Cathlete
He is doing better....the last 2 nights he has come out for about 20 minutes and let us pet him, then he went back to his hiding spot behind the TV......He must be getting out at night too, because he is eating and using his litter box. We named him Leo....cause he is big as a lion.....We still call him buddy some, since this was his name before.

joanna:)
 
I'm glad he's doing better. See, he just needed some time!

If he's used to being called Buddy, giving him a new name might be confusing to him (though if is previous people didn't use his name much, that wouldn't be the case). You could ease the transition of the new name by using the two names together for a while "Leo, buddy." When I get a new cat, I teach them their name by always pairing it with "kitty" for a while ("kitty" seems to be a word they all react to) So Bobsie was "Bobsie, kitty," for a while.
 
I'm so glad your new kitty is starting to adjust to his new home! :)

Aww, Leo - that's a good name for a big cat. I agree with the other poster that changing a cat's name could be confusing for it, but it depends on how familiar he was with his old name. One of my cats knew her name so well, that we just couldn't change it. When I call her name, she actually answers with an inquisitive Meow, or she'll come running from another room. If your cat responds to his old name like this, you may want to rethink changing his name. Or just do it very gradually. It may take a while before he catches on that you're talking to him when you say Leo. Every time you pet him, say his name over and over - this will help it sink in.

Cats respond well to (1) higher pitched voices and (2) names that have a long E sound in them. (Like Leo, or Buddy.) So, if you want to get his attention, talk in a higher pitch when you talk to him (yes, kind of like baby talk). :)
 
>Cats respond well to ...(2) names
>that have a long E sound in them. (Like Leo, or Buddy.)

That's interesting. I've never heard that before. I've found that cats seem to have personal preferences for sounds. When I was thinking of a name for one of my cat's, I went through some possibilities, saying them out loud to him, and he seemed especially interested in "f" and "k" sounds or "sk" sounds, so he was named "Frisco."

My newest addition seemed to like "T" sounds (Tommy/Tiger), but they are names of my "brother" cats when I was growing up, and I don't reuse names, so he didn't get either of those. He's named Rascal (but Mandy seems to like that name, because she comes when I call him!! Even though she does know her own name and responds to that, too!)
 
Kathryn - I'm not sure where I read that about cats, I have several books on feline behavior and I've read it mutliple places - I guess someone has actually done studies on this. It's just a generalization, of course. My big orange and white male kitty is named Chip and he has never had a problem recognizing his name despite the absence of the long E sound. :) My other two kitties have long E sounds in their names and they both respond very well when they are called. Could be coincidence... who knows? :D
 
The cat that comes quickest to her name in our house is named Purrple. She's as good as a dog in that respect. She can be upstairs sleeping and I'll call her downstairs because I want to snuggle with her, and she's there in a flash. The other two...not so much.
 
Donna, I used to have a cat like that. His name was Theo Fleury, Fleury for short. He was as fast as his namesake, the hockey player. Anyway, that cat should have been a freakin dog, he was always there when I called him! But only with me. If DH called him, Fleury would just ignore him.

Marla
 
I'm glad he's getting used to his new home.

My one cat will come to any version of his name or a nickname. Poor fellow....we probably confuse him. His name is Hollywood.....and he will answer to Holly....Hollycat, Hollywood, Wood, and other nicknames. I guess my other cats are respond to their nicknames also!! I guess my cats are pretty smart (couldn't resist that).
 
The other part of name changing I don't think has been mentioned is when you're cuddling with them and they're purring, or when you're feeding them, repeat their name. The cat can then associate feeling happy with the sound of their name.
It worked for my cats. They both come when called! I love it. I don't think people give cats enough credit for being so much like dogs, if you treat them right!
Best of luck!
 
The other part of name changing I don't think has been mentioned is when you're cuddling with them and they're purring, or when you're feeding them, repeat their name. The cat can then associate feeling happy with the sound of their name.
It worked for my cats. They both come when called! I love it. I don't think people give cats enough credit for being so much like dogs, if you treat them right!
Best of luck!
 
>My one cat will come to any version of his name or a nickname.
> Poor fellow....we probably confuse him. His name is
>Hollywood.....and he will answer to Holly....Hollycat,
>Hollywood, Wood, and other nicknames. I guess my other cats
>are respond to their nicknames also!! I guess my cats are
>pretty smart (couldn't resist that).


My cat Scooter will also come to any variation of his name: Scooter, Soobie, Skoo, Skeebs. Bobsie responds to "Miss B" and "B" as well.
 
>My one cat will come to any version of his name or a nickname.
> Poor fellow....we probably confuse him. His name is
>Hollywood.....and he will answer to Holly....Hollycat,
>Hollywood, Wood, and other nicknames. I guess my other cats
>are respond to their nicknames also!! I guess my cats are
>pretty smart (couldn't resist that).


My cat Scooter will also come to any variation of his name: Scooter, Soobie, Skoo, Skeebs. Bobsie responds to "Miss B" and "B" as well.
 
Hey, Joanna, I keep getting distracted & I just wanted to post that good for you for being patient with your new kittie. Actually, if you are this loving & patient, you'll eventually see how rewarding this can be for you & your family. Thank you so much for your very nurturing soul.

Marla
 
Hey, Joanna, I keep getting distracted & I just wanted to post that good for you for being patient with your new kittie. Actually, if you are this loving & patient, you'll eventually see how rewarding this can be for you & your family. Thank you so much for your very nurturing soul.

Marla
 
I don't think people give cats enough credit for being so
>much like dogs, if you treat them right!

My cats tell me that they are quite offended that you call their intelligent behavior "being so much like dogs." (Hissss! }( )

They also remind me of a chart in the front of a (Times and something series of educational books) book on mammals, that showed the relative intelligence of different species. Human was first, then some kind of ape, then dolphins, then cats, then dogs...

My cats definitely know the meaning of certain words, like "brüsh," "treats," "outside." Scooter comes runnin' everytime I say "brush," so I started to spell it instead of say it. Now, I think he's learning how to spell! He also seems to have picked up theh meaning of "vet," even when I spell it! (He hates going to the v-e-t, because he has to board there when I go out of town because he's a diabetic.)
 
Kathryn, is that for real as far as intelligence level? All I can say is, I have several cats & they all have their own personalitiies. My favorite, Bobble plays fetch with us with her silly "bouncy balls."

In fact, my DH had a contractor over to give an estimate over a repair for the air conditioner & stupid Bobble kept running up to him with her bouncyball so he had to play "fetch" with her during this meeting. Needless to say, the contractor was very surprised.

Marla
 
Ha! I didn't mean it that a dog is NEARLY as intelligent as a cat- not a chance!! Cats are so much better. I meant, that cats don't always act as superior and condescending as they seem to dog lovers. I meant that cats can be the best of both worlds- smart and beuatiful as cats, but also as loyal and playful and loving as dogs.

Please apologize to your cats- I misspoke and deeply regret it!

Cats can absolutely spell! And they know my habits better than I do, and anticipate every move I make with incredible accuracy.

;) Amy G
 
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