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🐈 Is your cat listening to you?

Monday 11/25: Sponsored by Spot Pet Insurance - Pilot adopts cat, cats match words and images, your cat knows cat friend's name

November 25, 2024

In partnership with

“I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” - Hippolyte Taine

Happy Monday:

  • 🏠 A stray kitten finds her forever home mid-flight

  • 🧐 How well does your cat understand you?

  • 😾 How to get money back from your vet

  • 💖 Your cat may recognize their friends’ names

Did you know that cats recognize human emotions through ______?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

A Flight to Safety Leads to a Forever Home for Stray Kitten

When Southwest Airlines Captain Matthew Prebish took on a rescue flight for animals affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, he never imagined he’d come home with a new family member.

Partnering with Greater Good Charities and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, Prebish flew a plane full of displaced animals from hurricane-ravaged areas in Florida to safe shelters where they could receive care until adoption. Among his passengers was Avery, a tiny stray kitten rescued from the storm’s devastation.

During the flight, Avery’s calm demeanor and sweet personality pulled at Prebish’s heartstrings. She settled right into his arms as he filmed a short video introducing her to viewers: “Hey, I’m Captain Matt, and I just adopted this kitten,” he said with a smile. Later in the video, Avery is seen lounging contentedly on his lap in the cockpit, clearly comfortable with Prebish despite only just meeting him.

By the end of the journey, Prebish’s bond with Avery was undeniable, and he was already certain of his decision to adopt her, giving her the forever home she deserved.

Now, Avery is a part of Prebish’s family—a reminder of the bonds that can form even in the most difficult, and unexpected, situations.

For Captain Matthew Prebish, Avery’s adoption brings an even deeper meaning to his work with Southwest Airlines and these rescue flights, showing how missions like these sometimes even create a family.

Your Cat Could Be Picturing Words—Here’s Why

Ever wonder if your cat understands human words, images, and the link between the two? As it turns out, our cats might understand us better than even we’ve given them credit for.

A recent discovery sheds light on just how well cats understand us—revealing that they may be able to match specific words with images, especially when it’s something close to their hearts, like a favorite snack or the familiar face of a housemate.

The study conducted at Kyoto University explored whether cats could connect familiar words with matching images, providing new insights into feline intelligence.

In the experiment, researchers worked with both housecats and cats living in cat cafĂ©s, showing them images of known objects, animals, or humans while speaking either the correct word or a different one. The study found that many cats responded with increased attention or curiosity when the word didn’t match the image—indicating that they’d mentally associated specific words with specific visuals.

For example, if a cat heard “toy” but saw an image of food, they were likely to show some confusion or extra focus, suggesting they recognized a mismatch. The study underscores the fact that, while cats may not always respond to us, they’re definitely paying attention—and understanding more than we might have assumed.

So, the next time you mention a favorite name or item to your cat, remember—they might actually be picturing it! This discovery not only reveals more about feline intelligence but also deepens our bond with them, showing that our cats are truly following along and, in their own way, understanding us.

Would you try testing this out on your cat? We’d love to hear how it goes!

Get Reimbursed for Eligible Vet Bills!

Spot pet insurance plans can reimburse up to 90% of eligible vet costs.

Spot’s customizable plan options can help put money back in your pocket. Receive an additional 10% multi-pet discount for all pets enrolled after the first.

Independent and paid ad from Spot. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit spotpetins.com/sample-policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.
Insurance plans are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC 1126581. A Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), and are produced by Spot Pel Insurance Services, LLC. (NPN If 192463il5. 990 Biscayne Blvd Suite 603, Miami, FL 33132. CA License 116000188).

Thank you to Spot Pet Insurance for sponsoring Daily Purr.

Do Cats Recognize Their Friends’ Names?

If you live with more than one cat, you’ve probably noticed they have a unique way of interacting with each other—whether it’s through playful pounces or gentle stares from across the room.

But did you know that cats might actually recognize the names of their feline friends? New findings suggest that our cats could be picking up on the names we use for their furry housemates. Here’s a closer look at how they do it:

  • Repetition leads to recognition -

    The study revealed that cats in multi-cat households often recognize each other’s names. When a familiar name was called, cats tended to look around, as if they were expecting to see that particular friend nearby.

  • Daily routine -

    Cats hear each other’s names in context—during feeding, play, or interactions with their humans. Over time, repeated use of names seems to help cats connect names with specific friends in their home.

  • Visual cues -

    In the study, when cats were shown a photo of a known cat paired with its name, they reacted with interest. But when the wrong name was paired with the photo, many cats seemed visibly puzzled, suggesting that they were associating the name with a particular cat.

  • Listening to humans -

    Cats are keen listeners when it comes to familiar words and tones in human speech. This ability helps them tune into names, especially if it’s a name that signals something exciting, like a friend or even food.

The next time you call one of your cats by name, remember that the others might be listening—and even know who you mean!

đŸ± Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 Did You Know: Cats recognize human emotions through voice tone. They’re sensitive to changes in pitch and tone, allowing them to pick up on our moods—though they may not always react!

😾 COTD: Give your kitty the spotlight by submitting them for Cat of the Day! This month’s theme is all about festive felines in the holiday spirit. Reply to this email with your best photos of your cat looking cozy, festive, or spreading holiday cheer. Be sure to include their name and a short description to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

🎁 Our Holiday Pet-Lover’s Picks: We’ve curated our favorite products that’ll make every cat parent’s holiday extra special. This year, skip the holiday stress and find the perfect gifts for the cat lovers in your life with our 2024 gift guide.