by Kathryn E.
Member since:
January 15, 2006

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon - What Words Does YOUR Pet Know?

April 02, 2006 01:36 PM EDT (Updated: April 19, 2006 09:25 AM EDT)
views: 86 | rating: 9.8/10 (18 votes) | comments: 108

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I call to my two cats, Mao and Cheddar. And they come running.

I called "Baby Fooooood." Sure, they know the words, "Baby Food."  They're cats.

The also respond to: "Baby."  or simply, "Food."  They'll prick up their ears, meow and run to where you are.

I can also elicit the same response simply by whistling the  'baby food' whistle associated only with 'baby food.'

They also respond to "Cat food."

Words they also know: "Luncheon Meat." They prick up their ears, meow and run.

We've tried to trick them, just to see how much they know.

We've tried: Muncheon Leat. Uh-nuh. Doesn't work.

Words they DON'T know: Water, Cat Nip. Go Outside, Bath. They do know the sound of water running.

They know their own names, of course. They're cats.

They also seem to know the name of their brother. We're not sure of this, but mention the name of one cat to the other and his ears perk up and he looks you straight in the eye.

Seems clear to me.

Years ago, I had a cat, Emma Peel, for 20 years. I would call: Emma Wemma, Fooody Wooody.

She'd jump off the top of the fridge, meow and come running. Howls of laughter from my college roommates.

We have a tape recording of Mao saying his own name. It goes like this: Meow, meow MEOW. He repeats it for five minutes. Sounds cruel to tape record your cat while he is in the bathroom, afraid you're going to turn on the water in the tub, but hey, it wasn't me. 

What happened then is interesting. We played the tape recording of Mao meowing to Mao's brother, Cheddar.

We held Cheddar in our arms while we played the recording. Cheddar kept looking around to see where Mao was.

Dogs, of course, do know more words than Cats. I've had both as pets, but I have a slight preference toward Cats. They're easier.

My sister's dog, Toby, a 6-month-old miniature Collie, looked around worried when we made barking noises.

My other sister has a new parrot, an African Parrot, which she says actually learns language, not simply mimics it. I saw an African Parrot on Leno last year and let me say, it was pretty impressive. African Parrots have a receptive language vocabulary of about 5,000 words, equivalent to a child of kindergarten age.

So, what words does YOUR pet know?

 
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 108

Richard Frisbie Apr 2, 2006, 2:01pm EDT
Nice Kathryn! Cats are so rewarding - they can be friendly and aloof - just like people. I prefer the company of cats to the slavish attention of dogs. Do you suppose I could get my cat to read to me?
Edward Nudelman Apr 2, 2006, 2:21pm EDT
Kathryn, "Emma Wemma, Fooody Wooody." Now really, girl, I'd like to see that in person. Can you make a tape and send a link? Fun article! By the way, do your cats know the word, DOG, or RUFUS? How about FIDO?
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:32pm EDT
Emil, .I just Had to watch that Google video. Great watch. Heartily recommended!!!! You're right. I saw that cat saying "Mama" and "Hello." I believe it when you say your cat says "Mama." I heartily recommend that Video!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:37pm EDT
Heather, you have llamas and goats? Are you on a farm?

I believe that they aren't very verbal, sheep and cows are not, either. Farm animals i believe generally are not very smart, otherwise, they'd have jobs, like dogs or cats on farms.

Cedar sounds like a smart dog. One of our dogs (growing up, a Lakeland Terrier), knew commands in English and Polish...Die wapa (dye wappa), or give paw, shake hands.

Has a rat ever talked? I've never heard a rat talk...They're smart, but yeah, not verbal.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:41pm EDT
Michael, 60 words, huh? That's good to know. Sounds about right, from the dogs I've known. Ours never knew that many, but then again, we never tried to teach them beyond the basics.

Yeah, the food words always get the animal. "Outside" is a good one, too!!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:43pm EDT
Richard, if cats could hold a book, they'd probably demand we read to THEM. Loved your anecdote!!
Colonel Possum Apr 2, 2006, 2:45pm EDT
Kathryn,

Your article was so much fun to read on a change-the-clock lazy Sunday! All our kids have tails, we have three dogs and thirteen cats. Their composite lexicon has expanded over the years. Top dog picks are "Bomba!" (bone) and "Medsum!" (Glucosamine). Our indoor cat, Belldorf', is deaf so he's not big on words but knows the nuance of human expression, especially the look after he's knocked Mariana's favorite flower vase on the floor. Outdoor cat names are Papaya-roo, Rocko, Jocko, Morticia, Wyleena, Corona, Prudence, Penelope, Rube-tube, Stucco-Marie, White boy and Boxcar.

Cheers,

Colonel Possum
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:45pm EDT
Anna, excuse me, but did you say Tucker spits out foster kittens? He gets them in his mouth?
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:49pm EDT
Ed, unfortately, the Emma Wemma story of Emma Peel is years old. She was my cat from my college boyfriend - my 21st birthday present from the Lakeshore Animal Hospital in Chicago, till her 20th birthday and therabouts when my children were 2 and 4. Never thought my cat would know my kids. They remember her and the day she died...She had a very good life. I'll have to write about her adventures, sometime.

I do have a photo taken recently of Mao and Cheddar on their 4th birthday eating baby food from my fingers. It's in my husband's digital camera. He says he is too busy to get it into the computer today, but soon...Will post that photo when it's up. Too cute for words!!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:50pm EDT
Ed, forgot to mention. In the photo, the cats are standing up to eat baby food. Really wish the photo were up now. But someday soon.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 2:56pm EDT
Richard B., wow, Colonel Possum, you've got a lot of 'kids.' 20 in total???
Isn't that getting expensive with the food and the vets???
Your dog takes glucosamine? Does it help?
Wow, Beldorf recognizes changes in human expression? That I've never heard before. Is Beldorf white by any chance? Have you seen Anna G's story on her new foster kittens? One is a deaf, white kitten...

Your outdoor cat names: Let me guess: Morticia, after the Addams Family's Morticia. Prudence: after the Beatles song; Boxcar - after the Boxcar children's books by any chance by Dorothy Chandler?

How did your other cats get their names?? Pray, do tell!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 3:00pm EDT
Alexander, what kind of a cat was Maximillion? Siamese or another eastern exotic?

I believe you when you say he talked. Emil recommended a Google Video "Talking Cats" in which a cat actually says "Mama" and "Hello."

Great anecdote!! Thanks!
Faith H. Apr 2, 2006, 3:35pm EDT
this is so cute, what a fun read, and love the comments, too. I recently adopted a cat after years of dogs, and when I get home from work, I pull out the "Special Kitty" treats from wallyworld and ask Rikki, "who's the special kitty?" and we carry on a whole conversation about that! funny. She also knows the word "No!" and just looks at me like yeah, right.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 3:37pm EDT
WOW, Alexander. Max's behavior was just like a Siamese. When you mentioned a 'genius' cat, I immediately thought of a Siamese. Maybe he was part Siamese. Siamese are known for opening doors and following like dogs. I had a Siamese growing up (several, actuallly) but one followed me everywhere. Yes, to school or to the store. Could park her right outside the store, and she'd wait outside. No leash necessary.

Siamese is recessive, so the only way to get a Siamese cat is with both parents. But half-Siamese come in all color types. Or, maybe he was just another wonderful, unique Cat.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 3:40pm EDT
Faith, what treats do you feed your Rikki? What does he/she look like? How old is Rikki? What is Wallyword? I should probably know, but I don't...We don't have it, here. Just Petco...Where the pets go...You can try Gerber's beef, chicken, turkey, ham. Cats love it. Not bad for them, in small bits. Too much might make them fat...
Nathan Schauer Apr 2, 2006, 3:50pm EDT
My cat Joe claims to have invented English and at least five other languages. Joe is appalled that gatherites actually believe the animals who own them do not speak. Joe would like to nap so he will allow me to return to the other duties he has assigned me.
Layne Underwood Apr 2, 2006, 3:56pm EDT
My cat Pip is a talker he says something like.. MeeOwwt when he wants out and has another verbalization when he's hungry. He understands "food", "out" and.. "you lucky SOB I wish I was a cat" - to which he closes his eyes, smiles big.. and stretches out upside down the length of the loveseat and continues his nap.
Nancy S. Apr 2, 2006, 3:57pm EDT
This is all just plain fun! Thanks to all of you for making me smile!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 4:35pm EDT
Nathan, if Joe tells a story to you, will you write it down for us? We'd love to hear it. !!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 4:38pm EDT
Layne, it is true that cats have one kind of meow for food and another kind of meow for other things. In the '70s, people used to believe that cats only understood the tone of the words, not the words themselves. I never bought that, personally.

What kind of a cat is Pip? Great name.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 4:42pm EDT
Zenith, horses are incredibly intelligent. More so than dogs, I'm sure. Never had a horse, personally, but I've ridden them from time to time. Elephants are also wicked smart.

I'm sure your cat says Mama. I saw a cat saying Mama and Hello on the video that Emil mentioned in the comments above. Google Video: Talking Cats...
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 4:43pm EDT
Nancy, do you have a pet story to share? One from your childhood perhaps?
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 4:44pm EDT
Wilhelmine, try training your cats to the word: Fooooooood. If you say the magic word, tap the food, they'll get the message and respond.

With your dog, tap the ice cream when you say "Come Here." Maybe that will work.
Linda Douglas Apr 2, 2006, 5:29pm EDT
Cats. I don't know what I would do without my two. They fight like human brothers and cause a ruckus all through the apartment. They seem to understand when I am sick and need kitty reiki on my muscles. I just wish they could vacuum their own cat hair and have dinner on the table when I get home from work.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 5:39pm EDT
Linda, kitty reiki, that is precious. For vaccuming, you need a robot. For table service, you need a wife. DId I just write that? I mean, you need someone else to help you.
Faith H. Apr 2, 2006, 6:56pm EDT
Kathryn, here's Rikki, temporary icon/idol. I got her from friends that lived in Bay St. Louis and weren't going to evacuate the hurricane b/c they had two big dogs and four cats between them. I know from hurricanes, been through a number, I begged them to come over here, and they arrived late Sunday. By Tuesday morning, they both knew they'd lost their homes. But Rikki was 12 weeks old, a foster kitty, and she had a home by that time with me. Glad I helped save them all.
Johnny 5000 Apr 2, 2006, 6:56pm EDT
On Lazy Sundays, my cat and I like to mack on some cupcakes.
Faith H. Apr 2, 2006, 7:23pm EDT
oh, and that hurricane was that Katrina thingy, in case someone missed it. K, wallyworld is just walmart and special kitty is their store brand stuff, I know, I know, nothing is too good for Rikki t. Kat, but honestly, she loves it. bad mommy, bad mommy......
Chris Burnett Apr 2, 2006, 7:41pm EDT
Cats rule, dogs drool, need we say more? Chris Burnett
Serina Matteson Apr 2, 2006, 10:12pm EDT
My three cats are Pipier, Pru, and Pheobe. They know what no means and come here. And Piper, the male, knows what bye bye means. Whenever I let him outside to play and I have to leave, all I have to say is, "Bye bye, Piper," and he comes running into the house. He doesn't want to be left outside for too long and he has learned that when I go bye bye that I maybe gone for a while.
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 10:59pm EDT
Faith, I saw your pic of Rikki and commented on the beautiful little kitten. So nice of you to take in a Katrina cat. !! Keep me posted!!!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 11:01pm EDT
Johnny, thanks for stopping by. The video was removed or not on the page. Boo hoo hoo. But i'll take your word for it that your cat eats cupcakes. I had a cat who ate potato chips, another who ate my tuna sandwiches when I wasn't looking...
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 11:02pm EDT
Chris, you said it all!!!!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 11:03pm EDT
Kari, so will Piggy and Slinky be typing your novel for you? Some pretty talented canines, dang it all!!!
Kathryn E. Apr 2, 2006, 11:04pm EDT
Serina, you've got some SMART cats. I suppose Piper also knows that when you go Bye Bye it means he won't get fed for awhile....
Carol Voigts Apr 2, 2006, 11:31pm EDT
Bingo knows "toast" and several other words but that's the most important one for her. That's the big dog. Tobey knows "gedi, gedi, gedi" which is just to get him to follow your voice, but Rodney sees to it that Tobey gets everywhere even though he's blind, so he doesn't need to know anything more.
Dawn M Apr 2, 2006, 11:57pm EDT
Great article. Just shows ya, how much people enjoy their pets. I have two dogs and a cat, and it always amazes me the number of words that they do seem to learn...esp. those ones they like & enjoy. I can't even spell the work W A L K without them knowing what I'm saying, or say the word cookie or treat. lol
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 12:07am EDT
Precious, Carol. Good that Tobey has Rodney to help him get to where he needs to go to. Was Tobey born blind or did he become blind?
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 12:08am EDT
Dawn, I assume your dogs can spell W A L K, and not your cat. I've known cats who can learn the word walk, but never to spell it. We had a cat who would jump up on the bed everytime you said. "Say Goodnight, Now." But I think she was following the non-verbal cue of my slapping the bed...
Johnny 5000 Apr 3, 2006, 1:36am EDT
My comment shall not go unlinked. I say again....


On Lazy Sundays, my cat and I like to mack on some cupcakes.
0000-minervao-0000 Apr 3, 2006, 2:53am EDT
My dog is bilingual, like me. She knows afuera and outside. Bano
(sorry, no cedille) to go to the bathroom, and well, thanks to Petsmart training classes, she is a smarty pants. Now if only I could understand her language as well as she understands mine.

The chincillas are pretty quiet, and as far as I can tell, are still trying to figure out if my fingers are food.
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 3:23am EDT
Minerva, your dog is wondering why you don't understand her language as well as she understands yours. It is interesting how much dogs understand. Scary, even. I do think they wonder why WE'RE not smarter.

Do you speak Spanish?

Do chinchillas speak at all? Are they nice as pets? They're soft, for sure.
Faith H. Apr 3, 2006, 6:50am EDT
oh, Johnny that was fuuuunnnnnneeeee. Mack on cupcakes, indeed. heehee
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 6:55am EDT
Johnny, that was very funny and clever.!!
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 10:11am EDT
Cindy, throwing litter out of her box? Oh, LOL. I've had that happen, too. Not to mention the running up and down the hallways at night!! Yes, the can opener, the sound of food. Cats are very attuned to sounds, they need to be aware of the danger sounds and the food sounds, by adaptation. They've adapted to our world, big time. Thanks for your comment!!
Enoch Allen Apr 3, 2006, 11:23am EDT
I liked this article, but couldn't tell you what my pet says on a regular basis since I don't have a pet. Maybe I should get a cool-looking Komodo. . .
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 11:34am EDT
Enoch, does KRAWHHHHHHHH sound familiar? I heard that's what Komodo's say...
xxxxxxx x. Apr 3, 2006, 11:34am EDT
Kathryn- Just a short (?) comment on talking cats- my 4 know alot more than they're letting on- I mean how many times do I have to call Coco when her face is 3 feet from mine, she looks over and discerns what I want (or don't want, as in the case of her sharing my people food) and totally ignores me, with that bemused and smug look on her face! So they don't only talk- they emote (I know anthropomorphic to some- total communication with me). I am constantly in awe of their understanding. And stubborness. And smug looks....Romy
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 11:57am EDT
Romy, you got that right!! They emote and yes, they're smug. Coco the princess chooses how, when, where, and what she will communicate with you!! I believe that totally!! Cats are Gods, at least in their minds.
mona d. Apr 3, 2006, 12:05pm EDT
sophie understands all words spoken in english, but only chooses to repond to some. "fish fish" and "nips (catnip)" are favorites.
henry knows the obvious terms, but always comes running when he hears sophie's name. go figure.
percy is a bit of a dope and only knows his name. or maybe he's a genius and only bothers to repond to his name because everything else is beneath him...
kiki is much like sophie, too smart and understands everything.
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 12:14pm EDT
Mona, you could write a story about life from the cats' points of view. What a hoot that would be. What they would say about you--and us!!!
Clare Stella Apr 3, 2006, 1:24pm EDT
I love when the cats hear the can opener and come running. It's funny because I have never used one to open their food nor did their first human mother. So how do they know? They understand "No" when they are kicking things off my bureau to make me get up and feed them. This was a great article, makes me appreciate my furry little pals.
Carl Neeld Apr 3, 2006, 1:29pm EDT
Wae ever a dog born which didn't understand "walk"? By the age of 6 months most can spell it.
Marjy L. Apr 3, 2006, 4:11pm EDT
Mine pretends she does't know "come here, please", "lap", or "not now, I'm eating", but she tips her hand once in a while and does as she's asked.

Without question, she knows "Mollie, you are out of bounds". So far, she has not made me follow up on it.

This is a cute article!
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 4:38pm EDT
Kari, great - as long as they recognize not to hit the 'delete' key. My two cats have each jumped on the keyboard and immediately hit 'delete.' Apparently, they thought I was ignoring them. Was I? Not in the slightest, I just wasn't fawning over them at that particular moment. I was on Gather.
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 4:43pm EDT
Clare, do you use the can opener to open cans that smell good? Tuna, shrimp, well, almost anything...Cats are amazing creatures. for sure.
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 5:00pm EDT
Carl, answer me this:If dogs are THAT smart, how come they're not working and giving us their money?
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 5:03pm EDT
Marjy, sounds like you've got a great dog. You WERE talking about a dog, right? I don't think cats know those commands. Or, if they do, they'd NEVER let on.
xxxxxxx x. Apr 3, 2006, 8:02pm EDT
Now, Kathryn, DID you know my other female cat is named Princess- or does it just make a heck of alot of sense....? Romy
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 8:09pm EDT
Romy, what an amazing coincidence! Coco just seemed like a wonderful princess, so that's what i called her! To think you actually have another cat named Princess is SO cool !!!
0000-dashiell5-0000 Apr 3, 2006, 8:14pm EDT
Emma Peel? As in the AVENGER? OK, I'm showing my age now (for those who can do the math... for those who can't, I'll say I've seen the reruns).

I think a lot of pets read tone and voice intonation more than actual words, but that's me and my theory.
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 8:22pm EDT
KR, I was waiting for you to comment on Emma PEEL, yes, Diana Rigg, the beauty that she was....

I've figured this out before with you, you know, !!! lol..

.In the 70s, when Emma, the cat, was young, the theory was that cat's understood intonation.

"Oh, you adorable, ugly rat, ...ohh, oooh...

But, I've changed my mind about that. Cats and other developed mammals need to have a sophisticated sense of sound - cats are highly developed in this.

When I first called, "Kitty, kitty, kitty," both cats ran for cover. They interpreted that as danger. Strange. Never seen THAT reaction before.

But cats need to interpet all kinds of small animal sounds and distinguish between those that are food and those that are danger. Their little ears work overtime on this, as you know. So, I really think they understand the important sounds - the food words and the danger sounds.
0000-dashiell5-0000 Apr 3, 2006, 8:27pm EDT
Yikes. Your memory is better than mine. Emma forgetful guy. My memory slipped on a peel or something. You DO know me like a book (gulp)...
Kathryn E. Apr 3, 2006, 8:42pm EDT
I'll email you, KR.....lol.
Aileen F. Apr 4, 2006, 4:16pm EDT
Well, the cat knows "CAT!" The dog knows it too, and pushes her away from the bird. The dog also knows, bird, outside, inside, get in, go, okay, he knows the names of the other dogs he has lived with, "go see", dinner, cookie, baby, ball, toy, Andi (the bird knows that one, too! and knows who she is). Then there is car ride, the greatest words in the book to him! Plus basic commands, but whether he obeys is a different story!
Aileen F. Apr 4, 2006, 4:22pm EDT
All the can opener talk reminds me of a bird we had who panicked when the can opener sounded, even years after I no longer had cats!
James s F. Apr 4, 2006, 6:07pm EDT
Sit, UBU, sit. (OK I watch too much TV)
Kathryn E. Apr 4, 2006, 7:02pm EDT
Aileen, I bet your cat knows all the food sounds, even if you don't associate a particular word with food. You can train your cat to understand a food word, even FOOOOOD. Say it while holding the food over their nose. Repeat every time you feed him. Then, after a few days, yell FOOOOOD exactly the same way and watch what happens.

Who exactly likes the car ride? The bird or the dog? I'm betting it is the dog. I've known of cats (we had one, growing up) who like car rides, too.

Birds must have very LOOOOOOOOOOONG memories to remember the danger associate with a cat running into the kitchen for food, just at the sound of a can opener. It's adaptive, I think. Animals have to know the food sounds and the danger sounds their entire lives, so I'm not surprised.
Kathryn E. Apr 4, 2006, 7:03pm EDT
James F., Sit UBU, sit.....So familiar. I watched that show for years. Was it Cheers? On the tip of my memory, just can't quite pull it out.
0000-dashiell5-0000 Apr 4, 2006, 7:22pm EDT
Family Ties
Aileen F. Apr 4, 2006, 7:39pm EDT
Kathryn, yes the dog likes car rides. I did have a cat that had to go whenever the dogs went. At that time I had a terrier who rode on my shoulders and the cat rode on top of the terrier.

The cat probably does know food words, but since the dog eats first, I always figure the cat is reacting to seeing the dog get fed!
Kathryn E. Apr 4, 2006, 7:48pm EDT
KR, Thanks!!!! And another instance of yours and mine similar age...lol...
Kathryn E. Apr 4, 2006, 7:50pm EDT
Aileen, the terrier who rode on your shoulders and the cat who rode on top of the terrier - now, that's just the cutest and funniest thing I've heard in a LONG time. An article, perhaps??? I assume YOU weren't driving when the terrier was on your shoulders, with the cat on top. I'm LMAO, can't keep from giggling!!!
James s F. Apr 4, 2006, 7:56pm EDT
Already been written- The Bremin Town Singers !
Kathryn E. Apr 4, 2006, 11:53pm EDT
James, wow, long time since I've even thought of THAT story. You're right!!!
Marjy L. Apr 5, 2006, 12:32am EDT
She's a fickle little feline. Rather than follow commands, though, I would say that once in a while, she deigns to accept our invitations and advice!
Kathryn E. Apr 5, 2006, 12:38am EDT
Marjy, words taken from the owner of a true cat: "once in a while, she deigns to accept our invitations..."
Yvonne Christian (Uncommon Bostonian) Apr 5, 2006, 6:58pm EDT
I live with two cats too. Their names are Storm and Cap. Right now, they're lying down beside my computer desk as I type. They seem to understand every word I say, but they don't obey (no big surprise there).

My family used to have a dog named Emma. She lived a long time, almost 13 years. She wasn't named after Emma Peel, but I am a big fan of that TV show. I watched the reruns too. I thought Diana Rigg was so cool.
Kathryn E. Apr 5, 2006, 11:27pm EDT
Yvonne, a dog named Emma! That is so great. Yeah, reruns of "The Avengers werre pretty cool. Saw those, too, as well as the originals. Thanks for commenting!!
Barbara Wiehler Apr 6, 2006, 3:00pm EDT
My dog, Greta, knows all the basic dog words -- eg., "walk," "biscuit," "get up," "go on," and "wanna go out?" The best word you can teach a dog is "no" -- i.e., "stop what you're doing and so your best not to ever do it again!" No can also be a noun -- "that's a no!" I love that I can have a simple conversation with her, but what interests me even more is the non-verbal communication... instead of saying, "wanna go for a walk?" I can simply put on my sneakers. Or pull a plastic bread storage bag out of the box and fold it up so it'll go in my pocket (for picking up poop of course). Sometimes I just try to give her a meaningful "wanna go?" look. And sometimes it works!
Margaret Spurrier Apr 6, 2006, 4:16pm EDT
Sometimes I think my huskey-shepherd mix, Maxine, knows more English than I do. She knows "time to go to bed" (which she only hears if she hasn't put herself to bed, when the 10 o'clock news comes on). She has also recently developed the habit of walking away from her newly-filled food bowl unless I stand over her and say "Maxine, eat your supper. That's all you get tonight. [because there's no steak or pork chop scraps with her dog food. ] Maxine, go ahead and eat your dinner." Then she very daintily picks up one piece of kibble and eats it, followed by another, and eventually settles down to eat the whole thing. Of course she knows "walk" (and heaven forbid I put my sneakers on on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon - she's off the walls before I even head toward the leash). And if we happen to be talking about her, even without using her name or the word "dog," she still hops up and comes over to be petted. Best dog in the universe!
Kathryn Parmeter Apr 6, 2006, 4:31pm EDT
Wow! Look at the catpeople. I have three DSH tabbies, two sorrel and one silver. Fiona is the eldest at just two years; Diana, the feral rescue, is the middle girl and Botwyn is the youngest. All three are shelter kitties and they make my family. I've posted lots of pictures of them here.

All three know "treats," and "out," and Fiona knows "nummies" which is what I call the baby food I feed her. She's got special needs which is challenging because Potwyn is a big old porker and hoovers anything in front of him, and Diana is constantly prowling and calling her long-lost mates so keeps her girlish figure more but doesn't need extra food; so what I've contrived to do is feed Fiona on top of the cat tree away from the other two, at night and in the morning. Of course she doesn't always feel like eating in the three seconds I have to get her isolated and fed before I have to leave for work...and if I leave the food out for her on her perch, it's discovered within minutes of my leaving the room by one of the other two and the opportunity is lost. Because of her allergic rhinitis she can't smell much and so stops eating. She dropped a pound of in the last month out of eight lbs. total, I think just because without her nose she couldn't connect food with hunger.

Cats aren't stupid in the least--but they do seem to exist between universes, crossing back and forth regularly; and it's hard to know what they're trying to tell you. Rather than them learning my language, I would love to learn theirs...to listen better; to understand what they long for.

Katie
Kathryn E. Apr 6, 2006, 8:47pm EDT
Barbara, dogs are great that way. They know so many more words than a cat. I'm always impressed with how intelligent mammals such as dogs and cats are. Thanks for dropping by and commenting!!
Kathryn E. Apr 6, 2006, 8:54pm EDT
Margaret, Maxine sounds like one smart dog. I wish I had a dog. Really enjoyed them growing up. They are so much smarter than cats, but much less dignified, lest I annoy the cat lovers out there. Have any pics you want to share with us?
Kathryn E. Apr 6, 2006, 8:59pm EDT
Katie, wow, another Kathryn on Gather. Don't tell me YOUR"E from Utah, too? LoL. I'm from Utah (live in Boston) and Kathryn Hudson (Kat) is from Utah, but doesn't live there, anymore. Yeah, Cats are smart. It is wise to try to learn Cat language. I'm sure they think we're incredibly dense and obtuse. Our cats also think the word "Boys" is a food word. "Do you BOYS want some LUNCHEON MEAT?" They also connect with any word that has food. "Baby FOOOOOOOD. Cat FOOOOOOOD.

Thanks for relaying your adorable cat stories. FIona sounds wonderul. I'll take a look at your pictures!!!
J. Johannes Apr 7, 2006, 8:25am EDT
Until just the other day, I thought my cats really didn't respond to anything but their names. THEN I got them a can of Carribean Catch Pounce and as soon as I pick that can up and shake it, the noise sends them running toward me drooling! (no, really, my one cat does drool....) I think I'll try to see what other tricks they can do!
Jay B. Apr 7, 2006, 8:56am EDT
My Westie "Snoopie" has a culinary based vocabulary. Food, dinner, yum, eat, treat, biscuit, cookie, bank (they send back biscuits in the tube) bone, meat, chicken, McDonalds (he gets his own hamburger minus the bun) TT's (my daughter's name, she is a treat giver) cheese, carrot, apple..... in summation , if there is a name for it and he eats it, he remembers it. Even his favorite toy is a stuffed hot dog!
Vicki Berger Apr 8, 2006, 12:03am EDT
My cat was so smart it was unbelievable. It got to the point where I just would talk to her, plain and simple, no one-word sentences. If you treat them like they understand, they understand! At least my little Marina did. People were amazed by her; one called her dog-cat because she did act more like a dog than a cat. So I had the best of both. One of the most fun things we would do is when I got home from work. I'd drive up in front of the house and spot her running towards me. Then I would run into the front door and slam the door behind me and run up the stairs to the top flat. She, in the meantime would run up to the neighbor's roof and jump over to our house and in the back bedroom window that I always left open for her. Then we would have our boisterously happy reunion after being apart all day. She was truly a little wonder kitty. I sincerely hope that when I am gone from this earth, we can be friends, equal friends, in the next zone, whatever that may be.
Kathryn E. Apr 8, 2006, 12:19am EDT
J. Johannes, yes, cats are amazingly attuned to sound. It must be adaptive, knowing the safe sounds, the food sounds and the danger sounds. Sounds are similar to language, I think.

Cats love the sound of cat food, don't they.
Kathryn E. Apr 8, 2006, 12:20am EDT
Jay, my sister has a Westie and reports similar finindgs. I think a knowledge of food sounds (along with danger sounds) is the most important adaptive asset a small mammal has. Keep up the great work !!!
Kathryn E. Apr 8, 2006, 12:23am EDT
Gretel, always wondered about YOUR name, you master of special wizardry. (yes, you told me about THAT degree, Loyola, Chicago, I believe)...Now I know...Yes, animals have an amazing vocabularly. As a child, I always told my parents that animals could understand our language and that they had cat language. Now we all know this to be self-evident. Thanks for the chuckle, Gretel. !!!
Kathryn E. Apr 8, 2006, 12:25am EDT
Vicki, your story reminds me of the conversations i have with one of our two cats (the other cat doesn't communicate much...) With Mao, the black and white cat, the conversation goes like this:

Me: Mao, do you want cat food?
Mao: MEOW.
Me: Baby FOOOOOD?
Mao: MEEOOW.
Me: Mmmm?
Mao: MEOW
Me: Mmmm?
Mao: MEOW. And so on. Thanks for your great story, Vicki !!!
Yvonne Christian (Uncommon Bostonian) Apr 9, 2006, 5:14pm EDT
I had a cat when I was a child named Smokey. He was a clever cat. He knew how to open doors. He acted as though he understood English because he would meow in response to anything that was said to him. I still miss him.
Kathryn E. Apr 9, 2006, 5:44pm EDT
Yvonne, was Smokey a Siamese? Siamese usually know how to open doors. In any event, he was SMART!! They DO understand English. At least, a LOT more than we give them credit for.
sheryl r. Apr 9, 2006, 8:03pm EDT
my cat Al says his own name when he is hungry or wants to go out side.
Meadow does know lots of words,do you want to go for a walk or a ride in the car are her favorites. She barks when she does want to go for a walk.
she knows down and sit. she knows stay,but only for the second and then she is up and running. She knows, leave al and koko alone.Meadow also knows when she goes out and does potty,she can have a treat,if she messes on the rug,no treat the rest of the day. she is pretty smart for a dog
Kathryn E. Apr 9, 2006, 8:11pm EDT
Sheryl, there's a video "Talking Cats" on Google that features a cat saying "Mama" and "Hello." I've seen it. I believe your cat says "Al." As long as he doesn't say "I invented the Internet." Dogs do know more words than cats, but yes, cats are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.