Cats apparently recognize their own names. They're still going to ignore you.

(Image credit: Barisic Zaklina/ iStock)

published 4 April 2019

Cats are never given the respect they deserve. Dogs get all the credit for being "smart," evidenced (as dog people will tell you) by their ability to "shake" for treats, play fetch, and, above all else, respond to their own names.

Well, cat people, here is your vindication: Fluffy apparently knows her own name, too.

In a study released Thursday, psychologists at Sophia University in Tokyo determined that "domestic cats appear to recognize the familiar sound of their own names and can distinguish them from other words," Science News reported, citing a paper published in Scientific Reports. Researchers made the discovery after asking cat owners to say four nouns of similar length to their cat's name, followed by their cat's actual name. "Cats gradually lost interest with each noun, but then reacted strongly to their names — moving their ears, head or tail, shifting their hind paw position or, of course, meowing," Science News writes.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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