Choosing A Cat - Part 5

Choosing a Name

This can be surprisingly difficult as you probably don't want to give your cat a "human" name. So, how do you go about choosing a name for your cat or kitten? If you've selected a rescue cat, then that question has already been answered as you'll already know its name. Otherwise, the best suggestion is to observe your new cat's behavior over the course of a couple of weeks. This will give you the time to become acquainted with its personality and you can choose a name that best suits that. A recent survey found that the top 20 names for cats were:

Remember that the pet-name you choose will used dozens of times a day to call, praise and perhaps scold your cat.

Pick a name that the cat can easily recognise. Animals respond better to one or two syllable names.

Choose a name that’s both easy to call out and one that you are happy calling out. Calling out "Jack" or "Zoe" in the park may be far less embarrassing than calling out than "Death Breath" or "Feline Good".

If choosing a long name, keep in mind the shortened version. A long name will inevitably be shortened, but it may ruin the effect that you were originally looking for.

Pick a name that will grow with the pet. For example "Kitten" may be less appropriate for a full grown cat.

Other than that, be adventurous. Naming pets has far more leeway than naming children, where thought has to be given to peer group acceptance, blending first and last names and how the initials may appear.

If you still find it difficult to select a name, then pay a visit to KittyNames for some helpful suggestions.

Coming in Part 6 is a little cat humor...