Would it be cruel?

Would it be cruel to change a cats name thats shes had for almost 4 years? When I found Easy, I was with some friends, we decided to put some names in a hat to name her. "Easy" was pulled out of the hat. I have never liked the name, but kept it. I think she is more deserving of a beautiful name.

I was always told the easiest way to change the name would be to call her Easy "and the new name" at the same time and slowly stop using Easy. So whats the consensus on a name change?

Any suggestions if you say yes? Shes a very easy going, laid back, slurpy sweet cat (except to her kids and then she's a strong disciplinarian mixed with slurpy loving)

I'm sorry, but I see it this way. I wouldn't change my child's name at 4 years old, so I couldn't possibly do that to my pet IF my pet knows his/her name.

If they don't answer to it anyway, then I wouldn't think it should be a problem.

Does my view make sense? I'm kinda tired...

I don't think it would be cruel at all. It took a while for my kits to tell me their nicknames, and Trent's current one (Boo-Bear ) was definitely christened well after 4 years. Now he gets all excited when we call him that because he knows that's a term of endearment, and we're either going to play or snuggle.

I really don't think it would be cruel, if you had a few more kitty's it wouldn't matter what you called her that's why I named the baby girls ziggy, zazzy, zinger, I figured they would just be totally confussed and come no matter who I called. Actually I have never changed ones name so I really don't know if it would effect them. Mine never come when I call them here kitty kitty kitty ditto 5 more times

If she was a stray and adopted her you'd have no idea what to call her, and would call her something different. Most cats who get adopted get a name change, and I can't imagine they care at all, so no - I think a name change doesn't matter even if you've had her a while.

And I don't reckon a cat knows it's name anyway. We call them so many different names as it is, they won't care if you start calling them a particular name more regularly.

Originally Posted by sarahp

And I don't reckon a cat knows it's name anyway. We call them so many different names as it is, they won't care if you start calling them a particular name more regularly.

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I dunno about that. When I say Ginger, she looks up, Ferris doesn't, and when I say Ferris, he looks up (most of the time) but she doesn't. My kids know their names, and they come when called usually, if they feel like it.

Cats don't know "names", they know sounds. For example with the name "Ginger", the emphasis is on "GIN" and "JER" (not a misspell ), that's what she's responding too...the sound.

As for renaming "Easy", it should be ok, provided you don't make a habit of doing that. Since your cat knows the sounds of "EEEEE" and "ZEEEEE", I would probably pick something that had one of those emphasis sounds in it, such as:

Elaine
Xena
etc. etc. etc.

Originally Posted by GingersMom

I dunno about that. When I say Ginger, she looks up, Ferris doesn't, and when I say Ferris, he looks up (most of the time) but she doesn't. My kids know their names, and they come when called usually, if they feel like it.

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Oh mine know there names but they are like dad they pick and choose what they wanna hear

Originally Posted by GingersMom

I dunno about that. When I say Ginger, she looks up, Ferris doesn't, and when I say Ferris, he looks up (most of the time) but she doesn't. My kids know their names, and they come when called usually, if they feel like it.

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Mine do that, too.

Mine do know their name. And I have always felt so blessed that they all come when I call their name, individually. I do call them so many names and somehow they know who is who, even from the nick names. I most often call Easy, EB. I know if I added a new name to the end of Easy, she would learn her new name, I know that. Im just unsure if I should even change it.

Originally Posted by GingersMom

I dunno about that. When I say Ginger, she looks up, Ferris doesn't, and when I say Ferris, he looks up (most of the time) but she doesn't. My kids know their names, and they come when called usually, if they feel like it.

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Harley responds when we call his name - Davidson does too

I agree to re-name her with a similar sounding name

Pam, It's definitely not Cruel...Cruel is smacking your cat,or neglecting him/her, you treat your babies so good!!!

Now coming up with a name that might be cruel on your brain

How about Evie?

I don't think it's cruel at all to change her name. I will say this and I might be the only one but I like her name!

I changed Puss's name. she was neglected and i wanted to give her a whole new start. I didn't give her anything origional , just something she would come to. Her origional name was Tara. She wouldn't respond to it.

Mine have many nicknames and respond to them and they are all different sounding from their actual names, Scully will react to Smooch, Smoochie Moochie, Big Boy (the vet calls him this), Beast and these were all nicknames he got when he was 8 y/o or older.

Bumps reacts just as well top Noodles as Bumper

I think if you want to change the name, she will get used to it eventually and if not, go back to calling her Easy

What would you call her?

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Cats don't know "names", they know sounds. For example with the name "Ginger", the emphasis is on "GIN" and "JER" (not a misspell

), that's what she's responding too...the sound.

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That's the same way that human children learn their names - it's by the sounds.

I still maintain that she knows when I make the sound: Ginger, that she knows I am speaking to her or about her. Same difference, in my head. Please don't burst my bubble, huh?

It's up to you.. But if your not happy with it,, then change it,, but give it some time.. I wouldn't change my cats name or my dogs name.. but it's really no different then a stray that get dropped off and you don't know their name.. They'll adjust...

I don't see anything wrong with changing her name. I'd stick w/ something similar sounding and the idea of pariing them to start is good too.

I also hold that my cats do know their names and NOT just the sounds because depending on my mood I say their names w/ different inflections and they still (almost) always respond. At the very least Frankie (who's the snob) will at least re-direce her ears when I say her name even if she doesn't obviousely acknowledge my call.

I got a year old cat from a resue group, she came with the name pepper. I didn't like the name, it didn't fit her. So I changes it to Sofie. She adjusted very quickly and now always come when I call her. At no time did I ever think it would be cruel to change her name.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

Ex-boyfriend's Bombay was 2 years old when he adopted her (she was a problem kitty), her name was Licorice, she didn't know her name at all.
He changed in to Majik, suits her much better and she responds to it.