Cats can be aloof sometimes, so it’s difficult to know when they understand what you’re saying! Can cats learn language, and what are some fun or useful words you can teach your cat?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to best communicate with your cat, words to teach them, and even how to begin using talking buttons.
Teaching Language to Cats: Where to Start?
There’s some debate as to what cats can and can’t understand. Obviously, we can’t read their minds, and there’s also relatively little science on cats and human language.
That said, it’s best to start simple, whether you want to teach your cat to understand you when you speak or to use talking buttons to communicate.
It’s best if the words can be associated with a daily activity, such as meals, play, or cuddles. Repeat the word (or model pressing the talking buttons) whenever you do that activity. For instance, you might say “dinner time” every night before giving your cat dinner.
Useful Words to Teach Your Cat
“Breakfast” and “Dinner”
These are natural words for cats to learn, because they’ll already be paying close attention to any cues that food is coming! It won’t take long at all for them to associate the words “breakfast time” with their meal.
“Treat”
Extra food, you say? “Treat” is another easy word to teach your cat, especially if they’re food motivated.
“Play”
“Play” or “play time” is another thing that cats look forward to. Let them know it’s time to play when you bring out their wand toy or start a game of fetch.
“Down”
“Down” typically refers to “lie down.” We typically use this word for lying and “sit” for sitting to ensure that we differentiate the two.
Remember to keep your cat’s cues as different from one another as possible. Don’t use both “sit down” and “lie down” as this can be confusing! You can teach your cat this word by waiting until they lie down, and saying it each time you catch the act. Or, you can lure them into position using a treat.
“Down” can help encourage your cat to settle in place or redirect inappropriate behaviors such as door-dashing.
“Stay”
“Stay” is another very useful cue for cats. Before teaching it, you’ll want to first teach “sit” or “down.”
Then, start small and work your way up. Your cat may only be able to hold their position for a second or two at first, but with time and patience, you can teach them to hold their pose much longer.
“Come”
Teach your cat to come to you when you say “come,” call their name, or click your tongue. This is useful for cats who like to hide or if you plan to take your cat on supervised outdoor adventures.
However, keep in mind that consistent recall is more difficult to achieve with most cats than it is for dogs. If your cat is napping and doesn’t want to get up, they might choose to ignore you!
“Bedtime”
This can be a cue, or just a way to let your cat know it’s time for bed! Hearing that it’s bedtime helps some cats know that they’re expected to settle down. On the other hand, some kitties look forward to bedtime all day and will be excited to crawl into bed for snuggles!
“All Done”
Transitions can be difficult, especially if you’re a little animal who doesn’t know what’s going on! Telling your cat that something is “all done” can help them learn what to expect. You can say “all done treat” when the treats are gone, showing your cat your empty hands. Or, tell them you’re “all done play” while putting away the wand toy.
With consistency, your cat will learn to turn their focus to a new activity.
“Later”
“Later” is another abstract word that cats seem to understand well. If your cat is asking for something, like their dinner, you can let them know that it’s coming later by pairing the words.
“Dinner later” acknowledges your cat’s request, lets them know you’ve understood them, and tells them that it’s coming soon, just not now!
“Now”
On the other hand, you can also let your cat know when something is happening now! “Now” can also be used to redirect your cat from requesting something you can’t give them yet.
For instance, you might say, “Dinner later. Play now!” Or, you can ask them to “settle now.”
Fun Words to Teach Your Cat
“Fetch”
Some cats naturally bring their toys back for another throw, while others need to be taught how to fetch. Either way, fetch can be a fun way to release some pent-up energy and let your cat use their hunting abilities.
“Paw”
Teach your cat to give high-fives, or touch your hand with their paw. This cute trick is easy to teach by holding a treat in your hand.
You can also work up to holding their paw and cutting their nails, making the cue even more useful!
“Spin”
Another simple trick is to use a treat to lure your cat into a circle. Just make sure not to repeat it too many times, as they could get dizzy!
“Up”
Hold a treat high above your cat’s head to encourage them to reach for it. Most will stand on their hind legs, and you can teach them “up!”
Talking Buttons: Expanding Your Cat’s Communication
Before buying talking buttons, it’s important to consider whether your cat is likely to use them. Is your cat constantly trying to communicate with you already? Are they very people-oriented? Or do they prefer to keep to themselves? Are they an older kitty with whom you’ve already established a “language” throughout the years?
The cats most likely to use buttons are young cats who yearn to be understood by their people. They might be extra chatty, playful, or intelligent.
How to Begin with Talking Buttons
Start simply with just one or two buttons. Model them regularly by pressing them yourself when you do things like feed your cat dinner or give them pets.
Some people start by having their cat press a “treat” button to get them familiar with the process. Others dislike this method and avoid food buttons entirely, because cats tend to overuse them!
As your cat learns to use simple buttons, you can expand to more specific words or phrases. For instance, you might let them request wet food or dry food, or add buttons that describe their favorite toys or treats. This allows them to request these items individually, rather than the broader requests to play or eat that our cats often make throughout the day, with or without talking buttons!
Conclusion
No matter how you choose to do it, teaching your cat human language can improve your relationship and communication. Learning new things also stimulates your cat’s mind, providing mental enrichment.
As your cat is learning your language, remember to learn theirs as well! Even if you use talking buttons, it’s still important to understand the body language of the pet you’ve brought into your home so that you can care for them to the best of your ability.
