So I’ve noticed a lot of people seem to rename their cats after adopting them…
For example, if a shelter lists a cat as “Opal,” someone might adopt it and rename it “Mittens” because they like that name better. I’m wondering if that’s normal and if it might confuse the cat?
I’ve seen cats with names I’d probably never choose, but I feel like it might throw them off if you just start calling Opal something else like Mittens. Thoughts?
Shelters often just pick random names unless the cat came with one. I renamed mine to what his foster parent was calling him, as the shelter name was from a book I don’t like.
Cats usually don’t mind. Mine answers to a bunch of nicknames anyway!
@Oli
My cats won’t answer to anything. They just look at me, blink, and go back to ignoring me like they’re above all that.
Jordan said:
@Oli
My cats won’t answer to anything. They just look at me, blink, and go back to ignoring me like they’re above all that.
Mine actually comes when I call, kind of like a dog!
@Oli
That’s cute! Will he play fetch too? I had a cat like that once, but he’d only fetch certain toys. Kind of acted like a puppy!
Jordan said:
@Oli
My cats won’t answer to anything. They just look at me, blink, and go back to ignoring me like they’re above all that.
Haha, love the attitude!
@Oli
Not sure if my rats know their names, but they come when I click my tongue or shake the treat box.
Totally fine and normal.
Unless the cat is named something epic like Dave the Magical Cheese Wizard… you definitely don’t change that name.
Zen said:
Totally fine and normal.
Unless the cat is named something epic like Dave the Magical Cheese Wizard… you definitely don’t change that name.
Lol!
Zen said:
Totally fine and normal.
Unless the cat is named something epic like Dave the Magical Cheese Wizard… you definitely don’t change that name.
Yeah… don’t mess with that cat’s name… make eye contact and slowly back away.
It’s a bit different if the cat had a long-term name or if it’s just a random one the shelter gave them. If I adopted an older cat, I’d probably keep their name or choose something that sounds similar. But for kittens, I don’t mind changing their shelter names at all.
@Vance
Older cats don’t care about name changes. I adopted a senior cat named “Yoda” and changed it to Frank. He was fine with it and lived another decade as Frank!
Bennet said:
@Vance
Older cats don’t care about name changes. I adopted a senior cat named “Yoda” and changed it to Frank. He was fine with it and lived another decade as Frank!
Yep, I adopted a 15-year-old cat the shelter called Almond, and I changed it to Lucy. She was just as responsive to her new name, especially when food was involved.
@Alden
Just don’t call her late for dinner!
Bennet said:
@Vance
Older cats don’t care about name changes. I adopted a senior cat named “Yoda” and changed it to Frank. He was fine with it and lived another decade as Frank!
Cats probably don’t see names as their identity, more like a signal we use. So a new home, new name seems totally fine to them.
@Vance
If you’re unsure, just use both names for a while and gradually drop the old one.
Completely normal. Shelters often pick random names, especially if the animals come in nameless.
My guinea pig had three names before I adopted him! He went through “Splat,” “Spot,” and “Bubbles” in just six months. I settled on Theodore, and that was his name for the next ten years.
Cats can totally adapt to name changes! Just say the new name often enough, and they’ll catch on.
One of my cats was called Nadia at the shelter, but I renamed her Nebula. Now she comes running when I call her Nebula or even Neb-Neb!
My pets have like 47 names anyway. My cat’s formal name is Minerva, but she also goes by Mini, Floof, Bigfoot, and several others. They catch on eventually!
Sometimes, changing the name is a good idea if you don’t know the pet’s history.
They may associate their old name with negative experiences, so a fresh name can give them a fresh start.