Can I Change My Adopted Cat’s Title?

Lacey, Jack, Freya, Taco–naming a cat is a giant (and thrilling) resolution. However what occurs if you undertake a cat that already has a reputation?

Animal shelters virtually all the time assign pets names even when they’re rescued as strays. Certain, you fall in love with a cat’s cute face, however adopting an animal is about greater than beauty. Giving a shelter animal a identify offers them an id.

Animal shelters have to market their animals to draw as many potential adopters as attainable. That doesn’t imply, nonetheless, that each identify is a winner.

There’s all the time an opportunity that you simply fall in love with the cat, however not their identify. The excellent news is, that almost all animal advocates agree that it’s okay to alter an adopted cat’s identify. Right here’s what you have to know.

Do Cat’s Even Know Their Names?

Choosing the right identify for a cat may contain hours of discussions, lengthy lists of prospects, and even years of considerate daydreaming. However whereas we debate the deserves of Macy versus Molly, what are our cat’s considering? Do they even know their names?

We will’t know for sure, however a 2019 examine concludes that almost all cats most likely acknowledge their names as phrases referring to themselves. The examine concerned commentary of 78 cats in numerous residing circumstances.

Researchers noticed the cats’ conduct to find out if they may distinguish between their names and different random phrases. Observers marked when cats appeared within the phrases spoken to them, and the compiled information suggests many of the cats did certainly reply to their very own names greater than random phrases.

The outcomes of this examine recommend cat’s may know their names, however different researchers say the proof remains to be inconclusive. An article in Smithsonian Journal suggests cats may merely reply to their names as a result of they affiliate these phrases with issues like meals, playtime, or consideration.

Both method, we all know cats take note of the names we name them–or not less than the phrases we are saying after we work together with them. Due to this fact, naming a cat is as necessary as we make it out to be. Your cat most likely doesn’t care whether or not you go along with Thomas or Tiger, however your robust relationship has to begin someplace, and that someplace is with the right identify.

Is It a Good Concept to Change an Adopted Cat’s Title?

When a shelter worker or volunteer names a cat Hamburger, as a result of they’ve already named 20 cats that week and are operating out of concepts, they’re not branding that cat for all times. Most shelters assume the brand new homeowners will change the cat’s identify and may ask even earlier than they print the paperwork.

However even when they don’t, and even if you happen to’re adopting an grownup cat that has had the identical identify for years, it’s typically understood that with new homeowners comes a brand new identify. Right here are some things to contemplate earlier than you resolve to maintain your cat’s identify or attempt on one thing new.

It May Be a A lot-Wanted Contemporary Begin

No matter your cat’s previous life, the truth that they ended up in a shelter means one thing went fallacious. They might have been an proprietor give up or a sufferer of neglect, abuse, or abandonment.

It’s additionally attainable they’d people who beloved them, however one open window later, and that beloved home cat grew to become a misplaced stray. It’s additionally frequent for cats to finish up in shelters when their homeowners cross away. The purpose is, going to a shelter and being adopted is meant to be a recent begin. It’s the cat’s likelihood to go away behind the ache of the previous and begin a brand new life with new folks.

That deal comes with a brand new household, new residence, and typically, a brand new identify. Many rescue animal advocates encourage pet homeowners to alter an animal’s identify as a result of it helps signify that necessary transition. By studying a brand new identify, the cat can transfer ahead with out being reminded of destructive associations connected to their outdated identify.

Prioritize Your Relationship

You may’t assist the truth that you fell in love with a cat that occurs to have the identical identify as that horrible boss you had in highschool.

Additionally Learn: 6 Refined Indicators Your Cat Loves You

Or perhaps your new cat is known as one thing like Sausage or Princess Popsicle, and it’s merely not an excellent match. When you’re going to wince in embarrassment each time you say your cat’s identify or flashback to these late evening shifts in entrance of the fryer, a reputation change is justified.

The very last thing you need is in your new pet’s identify to intervene along with your relationship. Your bond is one thing that has to develop with time. You may get used to a reputation you hate, but it surely’s not the best strategy to begin a friendship.

Take into account Your Cat’s Age

When you’re on the fence about whether or not you want your adopted pet’s shelter identify or wish to change it, take into consideration your cat’s age.

When you’re adopting a kitten youthful than six months, for instance, the infant most likely hasn’t been alive lengthy sufficient to even know they’ve a reputation. Kittens are clear slates on the subject of names, and you’ll be happy to choose a reputation you want after adoption.

In case your new member of the family beforehand had a house, there’s an opportunity they’ve already discovered a reputation and are used to it. Younger cats older than six months have had ample time to study what they’re known as and make relevant associations. At this age, nonetheless, cats are sometimes extra accepting of change.

Additionally Learn: How To Take Care Of A Kitten: The Full Information

As soon as a cat reaches center age or senior standing, change turns into tougher. Cats are creatures of behavior, and breaking well-established habits will all the time include a point of problem–and that’s no matter species.

It is going to be tougher to alter an older cat’s identify, however not unattainable. It’s going to require a number of optimistic reinforcement and endurance.

A senior cat may already be confused about their new state of affairs, and they won’t have the bandwidth to note that you simply’re calling them Leo as a substitute of Lionel. Take it sluggish and weigh your cat’s conduct and the potential causes with how necessary the identify change is to you.

When Shouldn’t You Rename an Adopted Cat?

In case your cat is displaying indicators of utmost nervousness, concern, or discomfort, their earlier identify may provide a degree of consolation and familiarity. With a brand new household and a brand new home, repeated makes an attempt to coach them to answer a brand new identify may merely be an excessive amount of. These are excessive circumstances, nonetheless, and so they aren’t frequent. In most conditions, a brand new identify gained’t have a lot impact on a cat’s day-to-day life.

Suggestions To Change Your Cat’s Title

If in any case that thought and deliberation you resolve to alter your adopted cat’s identify, comply with the following pointers to make sure a clean transition.

• Change Your Cat’s Title Proper Away: When you begin your relationship by calling your cat their outdated identify, however then change to a brand new identify after two weeks, you’ll solely trigger confusion.
• Begin With a Hyphenation: In case your cat already is aware of their outdated identify, you may assist them study their new identify with a easy hyphenation. For instance, if their outdated identify is Fortunate and also you wish to change it to Luna, begin calling them Fortunate-Luna for just a few days. The primary identify will get their consideration whereas additionally creating an affiliation with the brand new identify. After every week or two, drop the outdated identify.
• Use Optimistic Reinforcement: Each time you say your cat’s new identify, provide them a deal with, reward, or pets (or all three!). They’ll begin to love the brand new identify and pay extra consideration to it.
• Have Sensible Expectations: Research inform us cats may be able to studying their names, however real-life expertise tells us cats do what they need. In the event that they don’t reply to their new identify, don’t be discouraged. It may simply be as a result of they’re feline and don’t really feel like responding at that second. Maintain utilizing their identify, and so they’ll finally come round.