PURRaffection

Felix, Pickles or Milo?

Searching for cat names is a lot of fun, but with so many options, it can also be a challenge! The most important thing to remember is to pick a name that you think is great and that also suits your cat’s appearance and character. With this in mind, we’ve come up with10 cat naming tips to help inspire you and keep you on the right track:

1) Determine your cat’s sex. This may sound like a very obvious tip but many cat owners have suddenly realized, sometimes years after the fact, that their “Jack” is actually a “Jill”!

2) Look for cat names that can be shortened. One or two syllable names are easiest to call out and for your cat to understand. If you really want a long name like Sir Lix Alot, make sure it can be shortened for everyday use, and that you like the shortened version.

3) Avoid cat names that sound like commands. Believe it or not, cats are trainable! If you want to teach your cat tricks or commands, avoid names such as “Fletch”, which sounds very much like “Fetch”.

4) Don’t pick a cat name that you will be shy to call out in public. I named one of my first childhood pets, a calico cat, “Chocolate Fart Bum”. It was immediately changed to “Chocky” when my mother took her for her first trip to the vet!

5) Let your creativity run wild. You could choose humorous cat names, cute cat names, famous cat names, cat names related to your interests, whatever it is that appeals to you!

6) Look to your cat’s appearance for inspiration. It may take a while for your new cat to warm up and reveal its true personality and as your cat gets bigger, its behavior may change. Your cat’s appearance, on the other hand, is much more likely to stay constant. For instance, Domino is a great name for a black and white cat.

7) Look to your cat’s breed for inspiration. For example, you could choose a Thai name if you’re looking for Siamese cat names, a Scottish name if you’re looking for names for your Scottish Fold or a Persian name for your Persian cat.

8 ) Get ideas from pet naming books and websites. These resources will give you countless possibilities ranging from the most popular to more unique cat names.

9) Consult your cat to see how it responds. Create a shortlist of names that you like and then try calling them out to your cat. Its response just might help you pick the perfect one!

10) Be respectful - it’s not a good idea to choose a name that demeans your cat.

If you use these cat naming tips, chances are you won’t go wrong. And if you do go wrong…don’t worry, you won’t be the first person in history to change their cat’s name. I should know!

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