How do you talk to your cats? What odd things do you say?

c1atsite

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 22, 2002
Messages
3,175
Purraise
15
Location
new york city
I remember there was an earlier thread about "How do you talk to your cats?"

It was kind of funny, the things we say.

When I pet Penny's back, she often wags her tail in a bratty way, then I say "Don't be a brat" (i pronounce it Buh-RRRRat or BRRRRat) or "Wagging's ruuuuude sweety, it's ruuuuuude" (of course I don't think it's rude it's just something I've been saying for the longest - I don't know why
and of course she continues to wag and do whatever she wants
 

clowangel

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
84
Purraise
1
Location
NYC
Well, I talk to Sho like he understands me. And that's about as odd as it gets. I don't use any funny phrases or anything. I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts anyway. He's probably thinking, "Look lady, I don't understand human! Can't you see how blankly I'm staring at you?"
 

lvh01

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
16
Purraise
0
My husband and I talk to our cats as if they can understand what we're saying. Tetley even talks back occasionally! We usually use a silly voice, though. It seems to hold their attention better! Hahaha.
 

sarahp

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
15,841
Purraise
28
Location
Australia
Lily's always "Lily Pie", she gets a super sweet voice because she's a super sweet girl
Smudgey-kitten gets more of a baby voice, because she acts like a kitten all the time, and she IS the baby
And Stumpy gets a more grown up voice that more suited to her trouble maker nature


They all respond to their different tones.
 

p&r

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
743
Purraise
2
Oh I talk to Rosalie all the time. It's usually "ok Rosalie, quit harassing the dogs, you realize they could swallow you whole if they wanted to right?" LOL!
 

fifi1puss

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
2,150
Purraise
13
To get Fiona riled up and get her to jump up onto her tree or in a cabinet I say : " Your a superstar! Baby girl superstar!"


Encouragement for ReeRee is " Go ReeRee, go ReeRee, GO!" He is a special needs kitty and when he is trying climb somewhere or jump he sometimes loses balance. So I cheer him on!


To get Rocko riled up I say " Are you a frisky boy? Mr. Frisky Frisk!"
 

3catsn1dog

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
2,987
Purraise
11
Location
Trapped in the catroom! ;o)
When Im alone and talk to Hercules its generally when he is on the bed wanting some luvins and I baby talk him horribly saying things like whosamy hunka hunka hercules theres my snuggy buggy punky pooo herkie boy aww look at the sexy bewwy awww theres my hunka hunka herkie boy...Its quite embarassing when BF catches me...
Fatman gets talked to like an adult and GiGi has started being called G BooBoo and when I call her that shes generally wrapped around my shoulders and neck wanted petted
 

keycube

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Nov 26, 2008
Messages
958
Purraise
45
Location
Michigan
I basically talk to them like they're humans. I ask them how their day was, if they're feeling okay, etc. Basically, every interaction I have them is followed up by verbal communication of some sort.

For one thing, they're my friends and are treated as such; for another, we have no idea what they understand and what they don't, so why not give them the benefit of the doubt?
 

yosemite

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Messages
23,313
Purraise
81
Location
Ingersoll, ON
Hubby and I both talk to Bijou all the time and he talks back usually. When I hold him and love on him I tell him how much I love him and he usually raises his head so I can snuffle his neck under his chin. If I lean over he'll jump up on my back and when I ask him "who's my baby?", he puts his head beside mine and rubs against my face while purring up a storm. We pretty much talk to him like we would a son.
 

katachtig

Moderator
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Jun 25, 2005
Messages
25,289
Purraise
2,892
Location
Colorado
I talk to them as if they were understanding me. There are times when I can tell Lucy is going to go up to Carly and whack her. I tell her that I know what's she thinking and to not do it. She will then look over her shoulder, whine as only she can, and take off in a different direction.
 

yosemite

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Messages
23,313
Purraise
81
Location
Ingersoll, ON
Originally Posted by katachtig

I talk to them as if they were understanding me. There are times when I can tell Lucy is going to go up to Carly and whack her. I tell her that I know what's she thinking and to not do it. She will then look over her shoulder, whine as only she can, and take off in a different direction.
OMG that is so cute! I'm betting she understands exactly what you are saying.
 

3catsn1dog

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
2,987
Purraise
11
Location
Trapped in the catroom! ;o)
I wonder too if when we talk to our cats if they can just tell how we are feeling by the tone of our voice and stuff because I think they can tell when we are lovey or agitated or sad. I just had a visit from my probation officer telling us that yet again we are switching p.o.'s and now instead of just going in a paying fines BF and I have to go in and actually sit and talk to the p.o...yet more time the county takes out of our day and pockets! I came back inside to sit and vegetate and Hercules came right up to me and flopped on his back as if to say here ya go mom rub me up and feel all better!! And lemme tell ya it worked cuz I just talked normal to him and he just laid there and let me rub all over him and blow raspberries on his belly
 

kittyl0ve4

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
903
Purraise
2
Location
KiTTYDELPHiA, CATSYLVANiA
I usually talk to them as if they are children and can understand.. My bf always says things like "you do understand they have no clue what you're saying, right?". But they do know what I am saying when I ask them if they're hungry.. Or if they wanna eat. I always say that before feeding time, and they always respond.

But, throughout the day I will tak to them in a babyish way. Like with Monster ill say Therzzaa my big baby boy Monster kitty, who's a Monster baby boo, He's a boogy boogy boo booo kitty cat my handsome Monster, Mommy loves her boo boo kittycat Monster boy! I wubbbbbbbbb my booza booza babykitty!

With Mittens, Ill say.. Mitten kitten babygirl! I luvva my lil girl she so beautiful! My Princess Mitten kitten Mommy lovesssss you soooo much baby! Ooozzza booozzza Mitten Mitten whoozza a fatty girl? Kissy kissy hunni girl I LOVE YOU! Givvaa Mommy her nosey kisses! I wubbbb my nosey kisses from my Mitten kitten!

I do this in front of whoever is there at the time. Yes, everyone thinks im psycho. LOL.
 

rahma

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
603
Purraise
1
Location
minne-snow-da
When I get home from work, I usually salaam the husband (ie assalamu alaikum, peace be upon you). Squeaky runs to the door when she hears the key go in the lock, I've started to salaam her too, and then carry on a meow meow meow conversation about how our days went


The husband speaks to her in arabic. He's in charge of feeding, so he'll say, ga'ana? (ie food?) and she'll be like, yes yes yes yes please! His nickname for her is katkoot (chick), and has recently added amour (cute in egyptian arabic). So now it's katkoot amour, ga'ana? My cat knows more arabic then I do
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

c1atsite

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 22, 2002
Messages
3,175
Purraise
15
Location
new york city
I tell Penny "Penny, your sister's too plump tweety. She needs to go on a diet. Why are you so skinny?"

First of all,

Penny's "sister" is Daisy (they're not really sisters.
step-sisters I guess)

I call Penny "tweety" or "pumpkin". Pumpkin because she answers to it. Tweety - I don't know where I got that


Penny's not "so skinny" and Daisy doesn't really need "to go on a diet"

I think I just like making excuses to talk to them
 

rapunzel47

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 20, 2003
Messages
30,725
Purraise
8
Location
Lotus Land
Originally Posted by katachtig

I talk to them as if they were understanding me. There are times when I can tell Lucy is going to go up to Carly and whack her. I tell her that I know what's she thinking and to not do it. She will then look over her shoulder, whine as only she can, and take off in a different direction.
I know what you mean.


I'm glad to see how many people subscribe to pretty much the same theory I do: that if you talk to them as you would an intelligent child, they do get it. We all know they don't know all of the words -- though some words are hot tickets -- but when we talk naturally to them, what they don't pick up from the words, they get from tone of voice and body language. And they do respond as kids would! The whining and quibbling -- and the snuggling.


I remember one morning when I was getting breakfast for Shasta, Gryphon and Nibs -- all RB -- Gryph was sitting politely waiting, while the other two were milling around being vocal and pestiferous -- more so than usual. Finally, the usually patient Gryph took a swipe at Nibs, who whined loudly and looked hurt. I told him, "I don't blame him! You're making enough noise to wake the dead!" at which point, he muttered and slunk off a few feet to pout while I finished preparing their meal.
 

rosiemac

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 3, 2003
Messages
54,358
Purraise
100
Location
ENGLAND... LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY!
Originally Posted by katachtig

I talk to them as if they were understanding me. There are times when I can tell Lucy is going to go up to Carly and whack her. I tell her that I know what's she thinking and to not do it.
That's me as well


If Sophie bops Jack for no reason i'll say "Now what was that for?!. Be nice!"
 

katachtig

Moderator
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Jun 25, 2005
Messages
25,289
Purraise
2,892
Location
Colorado
Originally Posted by Rosiemac

That's me as well


If Sophie bops Jack for no reason i'll say "Now what was that for?!. Be nice!"
Then you get the look of: MOM, he was bugging me.
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Oh God - I talk to them all day long!

I guess the best way to describe is as though I were talking to a 1-2 yr old child... I know they can somewhat understand me; I can definitely understand them, so in a way we do have a language and that is communicating...
I think non-cat-lovers might find it weird, but for me it is just natural...
The vocal one here is Lady Lucky - she is a talker! Sooooo dramatic!! Bugsy is very quiet, but he announces his presence on bed - he sleeps hugging me every night
. He has the sweetest meow in the world!

Miss Hope only meows very softly, she almost needs a megaphone to be heard, the poor thing.... when she is hungry - otherwise she is completely quiet, but she responds to me by jumping around, vibrating her tail, etc...
The three of them respond to my tone of voice - totally.
Oh, and Lucky knows how to say "Hi"! I swear!!
 
Top