Cats can recognize and respond to specific words—especially their own names and words associated with specific experiences—but their understanding of human language differs fundamentally from that of humans.Instead,cats primarily learn and recognize words through auditory association and repetitive memorization.

When you call your cat's name,it may seem unresponsive,but this doesn't mean it can't recognize the name.Research and behavioral experts agree that cats can perceive human communication intentions—they just tend to respond in their own way and according to their own desires.

So,how many words do cats actually understand?Is it worthwhile to spend time teaching them to recognize words?Here are the expert opinions from behavioral scientists.

Can cats understand words?

Experts have concluded through research that cats can accurately recognize their own names;a related study in 2022 further showed that cats can also recognize the names of other cats.But beyond that,can they understand other words?

“I believe that if cats can recognize other cats’names,there’s no reason they can’t recognize other types of words,”says Laura Cassiday,head of the Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training Center in Baltimore and a registered certified behaviorist.“In my personal experience,my cat clearly understands the meaning of the word‘treat.’”

However,Kristiina Wilson,founder of the cat behavior service Cattitude Adjustment and a registered certified cat behaviorist,points out that this doesn’t mean cats truly understand the nuances of human language.The core way cats learn to recognize words is through a method called“associative concept training.”

Owners can use positive reinforcement,such as treats,to guide their cats to associate the pronunciation of specific words with corresponding activities.Furthermore,by recording words into a pet-specific voice button and associating that button with a corresponding activity,cats can be trained to“actively express themselves,”that is,convey their needs by pressing the button.

For example,owners can guide their cats to associate the word"food"with feeding behavior;through voice button training,cats can also be taught to press a corresponding button to trigger the playback of the word"food,"thus expressing their need for food.

"We can't directly know the specific meaning that cats understand these words,"Wilson says."However,by teaching cats to associate specific words with corresponding cues,owners can find an effective way to communicate with their cats—while simultaneously enhancing interaction and creating enjoyable time together."

"Giving cats the right to choose,to control their environment,and to express their needs is important for their physical and mental health,"Wilson adds.

How many words can a cat understand?

If cats can indeed learn to recognize words through training,owners may question the potential of associative concept training:How difficult is it to train a cat to recognize words?Which types of words are more effective for training?How many words can a cat actually master?

Unlike dogs,there is currently no conclusive research data to determine the maximum number of words a cat can learn to recognize.Cassidy points out that,based on her experience raising and training cats,her cats can remember 10 to 15 cue words.

Ultimately,how many words a cat can learn depends primarily on how many cue words the owner wants to use in daily life,and the amount of training time and patience invested.

Common Words Cats Can Learn

Since cats learn words primarily by associating sounds with concrete experiences,rather than understanding word definitions,there are no strict limitations on which words a cat can or cannot learn.As long as the owner maintains regular training,almost any word associated with a specific activity can be taught to the cat.

“Cats are extremely sensitive to signals that foreshadow specific events,”Cassidy says.“Therefore,if you repeatedly use a specific word before engaging in activities your cat is interested in(such as feeding or administering medication),the cat will gradually remember the association between that word and the corresponding activity.”

Here are some commonly used words suitable for teaching cats to recognize,for owners'reference:

-Play

-Catnip

-Treats

-Water

-Walk

-Leave

Cassidy suggests avoiding negative cues like“no”or“stop,”as their meanings are too complex for cats to understand accurately.“A better approach is to teach cats to recognize positive cues like‘down’or‘lie down.’For example,you can use the‘down’command to guide their behavior when you don’t want them to jump on the table,”she adds.

Furthermore,the owner’s body language and tone of voice are crucial.“Compared to the accuracy of your word choice,your tone of voice and intonation have a more significant impact on cats,”Wilson emphasizes.

How to Teach Your Cat New Words

Teaching a cat to recognize a new word takes time,depending on the cat's personality and the training methods used.Cassidy states that in many cases,simply repeating the corresponding word each time a specific action is performed will establish a sound-action association in the cat's mind.

If you want to teach your cat to communicate using voice buttons,Wilson recommends a demonstration training method.The owner should first demonstrate the desired action to the cat.The specific steps are as follows:

1.Choose something that motivates the cat as a starting point for training,such as playtime.

2.Before engaging in the activity,press the corresponding voice button,ensuring the cat can clearly observe the action.

In most cases,the cat will gradually approach and try pressing the button.When the cat successfully presses the button,Wilson suggests rewarding the behavior with a high-value reinforcer(such as a favorite treat)to strengthen its memory.

“If a cat shows interest in pressing a button,it will gradually associate pressing the button with the corresponding activity,”Wilson explained.

Clicker training can also help cats learn new words,but Wilson recommends starting with voice button training first,as it is easier for cats to learn and adapt to.

She also points out that not all cats are willing to be trained,and not all cats will demonstrate through explicit behavior that they understand the meaning of words.Therefore,patience is crucial in training a cat to master new skills.

Ultimately,every bit of time and patience you invest in your cat will be felt by it;and the training process itself will further strengthen the emotional bond between you and your cat.