Advice on renaming cats....

[Jumpy Guy]

We're just about to adopt two rescue cats. They are about 2 years old, and have possibly the worst possible names.

So..... we want to change to something that I might actually shout in the garden.

Anyone got any experience in renaming? gradual name changes with similar names?

I know they will mostly ignore me anyway, but the names HAVE to be changed.

[L4URA]

I renamed mine from Sam to Tuna. Took no time at all for him to learn his new name. Just call them from their new names from the outset and they will get used to them.

[MitchT]

What are the old names?

[Nolar Dog]

Mine responds to about half a dozen, maybe even 6, variations of her actual name.

I think it's more the voice and annunciation she responds to rather than anything specific.

What are the cats currently called?

[DogChops1]

Cats answer to their names??! You'll be lucky. I call mine with a sort of cross-between-a-bird-and-a-mouse type noise, which does the trick, but I think half of the game is them actually wanting to see you (especially if they haven't found anything to eat in the last 30 mins or so).

We had a rescue dog once that was called Rennie (as in indigestion pills; other brands are available), but being odd, my mum changed it to Wellie (yeah, OK, odd as well, but it was short for Llewelyn which fitted in to being Welsh). Point being, the sound was similar, so he answered to the call.

[FWDRacer]

One of the cats must be renamed Dave

[Papa Hotel]

The name is only your designation for the cat, it doesn't actually give a st what you're saying. It'll come to your voice at feeding time, it really doesn't matter what you say.

[Jasandjules]

Rescued cats before - simply call them by their new name from day one, it doesn't take them long to work it out, especially when you are calling them for food.

[Slate99]

DogChops1 said:

Cats answer to their names??! You'll be lucky. I call mine with a sort of cross-between-a-bird-and-a-mouse type noise

Yep! Same as ours. They also all come running if you shout "Chicken Roll" One of our cats will come to anyword as long as you say it in the same tone and with the same inflections as his name.

[paulmurr]

Ours doesn't respond to her name, or any variations thereof.

[Pkh72]

Ours is called Bobby, but i generally call him Bob, or Robert when he's being an ar5e.

[Smashed]

I just call them cat. works great with more than one cat in the house. you just shout one word and they come to get there food. easy.

simples.

[Ikemi]

Smashed said:

simples.

[SirClarke]

Call them Dan and Alan. Then whenever you're stood in your garden for hours trying to call them in everyone will just think you're copying a hilarious comedy sketch off the telly.

Dan, Dan, Dan, Dan.......I don't think he heard me. Dan!, DAN, DAN!!, DAN


Ps. as someone said earlier cats barely recognise their names anyway, it's all about the tone of your voice etc and any cat should have no problem learning a new name.

[Jgtv]

My cat has been called
Coco
Sludge
Cat
Dog
Coco
Dave

She has never reacted to any of them.

Just start calling them the new names.

[Jumpy Guy]

I thought as much.

Current names?

Gucci and Crystal-Girl






Jesus.

[tossbag]

My cat, Pig, will come to any word with the 'i' sound in it, it's all about tone of voice.

[Smashed]

Ikemi said:

Smashed said:

simples.

Hook, line and sinker.

[Digger]

Jumpy Guy said:

I thought as much.

Current names?

Gucci and Crystal-Girl






Jesus.

Hoochy and Tinkerbell?

[Jumpy Guy]

Strong contenders. Thanks.