What’s in a Name: Can (And Should) You Change Your Cat’s Name?

Whether you’ve adopted a kitty from a shelter or inherited a feline from somewhere else, you probably want to give them a name you love. Most likely your fur friend already has a moniker, and you may be wondering if it’s okay to change your cat’s name. Will they still understand you if you call them by something else? Or is it better not to change your cat’s name and stick to their old one? Below, Cat in a Flat digs into what’s in a feline’s name and if it’s okay to change it.

Can cats understand their names?

Can cats understand their names? It’s a common fact that dogs will recognize and react to someone calling their name. But felines often come across as more aloof and stand-offish, which might make you wonder if your fur friend understands their own name. It may be surprising to learn that not only can your cat understand their name, they can also differentiate it from those of other pets in the household. 

Usually, this is because your feline has a positive association related to hearing their name. Whether you’re calling Mr Whiskers to dinner, for a cuddle, or just talking to them, they probably enjoy hearing you say it. And because cats aren’t fully domesticated, they’re still evolving and adjusting to life with humans. This means that over time your feline may become even more attune to your verbal cues. 

Is it okay to change your cat’s name?

Is it okay to change your cat’s name? Large numbers of felines end up in animal shelters every year. Often, employees are simply too overwhelmed to come up with fresh new names for each kitty. Most likely your rescue isn’t meant to keep their shelter name for life, and it can be perfectly okay to change your cat’s name. Even if your fur friend isn’t adopted, changing their name is still an option. However, there are a few factors to consider before you do decide to change your cat’s name. 

When it’s a good idea to change your cat’s name

• You want a fresh start. There can be a variety of reasons for why Mr Whiskers ended up getting rehomed. Perhaps they got lost and weren’t microchipped, so they couldn’t be returned to their family. Or maybe they were rescued from a kitten litter born on the streets. Whatever the case, changing their name can be a wonderful way to give your cat a new start and form your own bond with them. 
• Their name doesn’t suit them. If your fur friend’s current name tends to make you wince with embarrassment, changing it might be a good option. But also remember that over time you may become accustomed to and even grow to love your kitty’s weird name! 

When it’s not a good idea to change your cat’s name

• Think about your kitty’s age. Felines are resilient and can usually adjust to most situations. Renaming a kitten or young cat is generally easy as they can learn their new names quickly. However, if you have a senior cat, making a change may be more difficult. Our fur friends are creatures of habit, and routines often become more ingrained as they age. Hence it may be a challenge to change your cat’s name past middle age. 
• Severe anxiety. Regardless of the situation, rehoming can be stressful for cats. Your fur friend has to adjust to a new environment, people and in some cases children. Deciding to change your cat’s name may increase their anxiety and sense of unease with their unfamiliar surroundings. 

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Tips to changing your cat’s name

In the majority of cases changing your feline’s name won’t have a negative impact on their day-to-day lives. Over time, it’s likely they’ll get used to hearing and responding to it. If you’ve decided you want to change your cat’s name, here are a four steps to a smooth shift: 

1. Don’t wait

Start calling your kitty by their new name as soon as you meet them. If you call them by their old name for weeks, then suddenly change it, this will be confusing for your feline. Your fur friend will adjust much more quickly if they hear their new name right away and associate it with you, their new human. 

2. Ease in

A great way to ease your cat into their name change is by using both their old and new names at once. For example, if your feline’s shelter name is Whiskers and you want to call them Fluffy, refer to them as Whiskers-Fluffy the first few days. They’ll get used to hearing both names and won’t notice when you phase out their old one. 

3. Reward them

You want to make sure your kitty has a positive association with their new name. This is why it’s important in the beginning to reward your cat when you use it. Even if they’re not responding to the name yet, make sure to give your feline a treat, some cuddles, or one-on-one playtime (or all three) whenever you say their new name. 

4. But be realistic

While it is possible to teach cats tricks, felines are not people-pleasers by nature the way dogs are. Mr Whiskers has a mind of their own and will do things at their own pace. Hence, it’s important to have realistic expectations when you change your cat’s name. Don’t expect your furry friend to respond to their new name right away. If it takes some time, don’t worry. As long as you’re consistent and use positive reinforcement, Mr Whiskers will come around eventually. 

If you have to go out of town during a transition period with your feline, explain the situation to your cat sitter. Our wonderful sitters are happy to accommodate to your unique fur friend’s needs and help make their name change as seamless as possible too. 

Interested in finding out more about caring for your feline? Check out the Cat Care section of our blog! Learn the key things you should never do to your cat, quick tips for improving your kitty’s quality of life in under five minutes, and more.