+2 votes
in General Factchecking by Novice (840 points)

This claim is correct based on the Scientific American that states, “Cats are just as good as dogs at learning,” Bradshaw says. “They’re just not as keen to show their owners what they’ve learned.” This article discusses how cats do know their name and can recognize it from different voices, but sometimes choose to ignore it. There has been some studies to show that cats know their names, but this article says the evidence might not be fully accurate and may have its faults. This claim is not misinformation and is correct based on the credible source of the Scientific American. 

14 Answers

+5 votes
by Apprentice (1.9k points)
selected by
 
Best answer
According to National Geographic, cats know their names, but it is harder to recognize them than dogs.

"In a series of four different experiments, the team discovered cats showed a meaningful response to their own names - even after hearing four similar-sounding nouns or names of other cats living in the home or the cat cafe."

The cats showed interest when their owners called their names as well as strangers. Even if they did not come directly to them, they would move their head, and ears, or even wag their tales.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/cats-recognize-names-dogs-pets?loggedin=true&rnd=1682558286704
True
by Apprentice (1.2k points)
This post is very informative. I've owned a dog so I know that they know their names, but I always thought that it took longer for cats to understand, so now I know that it is more difficult for cats to know their names.
+1 vote
by Novice (720 points)
This statement is true, According to The Spruce Pets, there was a study published by Scientific Reports that claim that cats can recognize their owners' voices. Throughout the study, cats were observed in their homes and they concluded that cats can differentiate the content of human language based on phonemic differences.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/do-cats-know-their-own-names-5248824#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study1,can%20recognize%20their%20owners'%20voices.
True
+1 vote
by Novice (600 points)
This statement is true because cats are able to recognize their own names. The following article states that a study conducted by Atsuko Saito showed how cats reacted in some way when they heard their own name rather than when they heard other words or other cat names. Even though cats might not go to you when you call them or walk away, it doesn't mean that they don't know their name. The majority of the time, they choose to do their own thing.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-recognize-their-own-names-even-if-they-choose-to-ignore-them/#:~:text=Cats%20Recognize%20Their%20Own%20Names%E2%80%94Even%20If%20They%20Choose%20to%20Ignore%20Them&text=Cats%20are%20notorious%20for%20their,away%20when%20they%20hear%20them.
by Genius (38.2k points)
Going forward, it's best to use a source that isn't within the claim (re: scientificamerican.com).
+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.7k points)
This study is legitimate. I read through the article and it is definitely trustworthy as it is published in distinguished journals and peer reviewed. As I was researching the topic, I saw that many sources online cited this specific study, but I didn't see very many other sources that corroborated the same claim. So, I wanted to see what else existed in the study of cat behavior and psychology. I found quite a few articles that do.

One of them I found was this study from 2022 that showed that cats can learn other cats' names.

Takagi, S., Saito, A., Arahori, M. et al. Cats learn the names of their friend cats in their daily lives. Sci Rep 12, 6155 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10261-5
True
+1 vote
by Novice (700 points)

According to the article cats do understand their name, but unlike does they dont come when called. This is because cats and dogs are different species, while cats do recognize their name they just respond the same way dogs do. Cats are more willing to ignore you calling them just because. Since we compare dogs and cats all the time we expect the same behaviors so when cats don’t react the same we think they must not understand. While in fact they do understand you, but they are more passive compared to dogs.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/do-cats-know-their-own-names-5248824

+1 vote
by Journeyman (2.7k points)
edited by
The statement, "Cats are able to recognize their name," is true. According to GreatPetCare.com, "A 2019 Japan study showed that cats can decipher their name from other similar sounding words." 
https://www.greatpetcare.com/cat-behavior/do-cats-know-their-names/.
Also, TheGuardian.com states, "Research studies prove cats know their own name from other phrases." Therefore, the claim is not misinformation. 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/apr/04/cats-can-recognise-their-own-names-say-scientists. 
True
+1 vote
by Novice (780 points)

This claim, "cats are able to recognize their name," is true. According to scientificamerican.com, "cats recognize their own names - even if they choose to ignore them." Following with a similar statement, "new student indicates domestic cats do recognize their own names - even if they walk away when they hear them."

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-recognize-their-own-names-even-if-they-choose-to-ignore-them/

by Genius (38.2k points)
Going forward, it's best to dig deeper and find a source that isn't within the claim (re: scientificamerican.com).
+1 vote
by Novice (840 points)
Cats do know their names as studied by the Scientific Reports journal. This is because "it's the words that humans frequently say to them" (Grimm). The study concluded that cats understand a few words that humans say including their name. However, it was noted that "the inly cats that had trouble with the task were those that lived in a cat cafe" (Grimm). So, when cats are in a large group it is difficult for them to recognize their name because so many names are being called.

https://www.science.org/content/article/does-your-cat-know-its-name-here-s-how-find-out
True
+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.1k points)

This is a true statement. In general, cats have the ability to identify their own name when spoken by an owner. A study done in Toyko showed this. In the linked article it says, "“This new study clearly shows that many cats react to their own names when spoken by their owners,” says biologist John Bradshaw"

There is some debate if cats are able to understand their name when spoken by non-owners however. 

Cats Recognize Their Own Names--Even If They Choose to Ignore Them - Scientific American

True
by Genius (38.2k points)
Going forward, it's best to dig deeper and find a source that isn't within the claim (re: scientificamerican.com).
+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.3k points)
According to Netflix documentary, Inside A Cat's Mind, extensive research has been done to prove that cats are able to recognize their own names.
True

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