While cats are often seen as independent creatures, they can learn to respond to stimuli and strengthen their bond with their owners. Research shows that cats differentiate between speech directed at them (CDS) and speech directed at adults (ADS). They are more attentive and responsive to CDS from their owners.
A study by the University of Paris-Nanterre, published in Animal Cognition, used a habituation-dishabituation paradigm to assess how cats respond to different voices. The study found that cats reacted more positively to CDS from their owners compared to ADS or voices from strangers. This highlights the importance of a personalized relationship between cats and their owners.
Certain breeds, like Siamese, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and Bengal, are more inclined to interact with humans and respond to commands. Training is most effective when started during kittenhood (8-12 weeks), but adult cats can also be trained with patience and positive reinforcement.
Cats can learn commands using effective methods. This includes:
Come: Train your cat to come when called.
Sit: Teach your cat to sit on command.
Stay: Train your cat to stay in place.
Fetch: Some cats can be taught to retrieve objects.