How old is too old to rename a cat?

Question

I just adopted a new cat - a seal point siamese and between 2-3 years old. Her previous owner named her "Sugar" and I don't feel that the name suits her; she's sweet and loving but it's just not regal enough for such a beautiful kitty. Is she too old to rename? She doesn't really answer when I call her Sugar, kind of turns and looks at me, but does the same thing when I call her kitty-kitty. Would she take to a new name and recognize it as hers or should just stick to the old name?

Answer 1

No it's never too late to do something.

Answer 2

Yep - change it.  My inlaws adopted a two year old male cat named "Chrissy" and knew that couldn't stay.  He now answers to Buddy.  As long as the food shows up, they don't care what you call them.

Answer 3

Sure she would. You just have to be patient, and use it when your loving on her, use it alot.

Also, use it when you call to feed her.

And just make sure you don't use it in a harsh tone like " Sugar, ! Come now" or No Sugar!"  But, I think she will adjust even now.  

Answer 4

I think it would be ok to name her. She'll soon figure out that that is what you are calling her and she will respond, cats are clever that way, I don't think it would be cruel or anything. We take in alot of stray cats some old some young and we give them names, even though they may have had names previously and none of them seem traumatised or anything and they all know their names so I think it would be ok to re-name her something you think will suit her.

Answer 5

Cats are smart - she'll know what her new name is soon enough.  

The tip about using her new name a lot, especially when giving her attention, playing or at meal times, is a good one.  She'll associate the name with good things and be more responsive to it.

I've had my 2 kittens for almost 2 weeks now.  When I got them they were called Oscar and Olivia but I renamed them Harry and Grace.

Grace knows her name now but Harry doesn't - simply because I keep calling him "jack" cos he's the double of a foster cat I had!  So long as you're consistant, she'll figure it out!

Answer 6

Most adoption agencies change the names to something else when they come in, her name very well could have been Bertha, and, well, no offence to any berthas out there, but its an ugly cat name when you are trying to get adopted.

I would say, yeah, name her something different, be sure to enforce the new name with treats and affection. Associate the name with food, so when you feed her, say "Good girl, Fire truck" "Come here fire truck, get some food"

btw, I would totally name a cat after objects.

Answer 7

It's pretty much never too late to rename a cat, though it can help if you pick a name that's not too far from their old one.  For instance one starting with the "Sh" sound or having it as a part of it.  This way she'll learn her new name much faster!  The other big trick is to use the name all the time, especially at mealtimes when she'll be paying you lots of attention until you put her food bowl down! ;)

Answer 8

Cats rarely respond to their own names, unless you train them to.  By giving your cat a new name (e.g. "Spot") she'll identify her new name with you.  When my sister adopted a 2 yr old female cat, the cat's name was "Boots" and my sister renamed the cat "Liberty Belle" ("Libby" for short).

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

my cat was old before he died ( he got hit by a car last week..very sad thing )

at first no one knew his name..so we called him hallie

he responded to that

until we figured out he was male

so we called him gary

he responded to that

i called him kitty kitty, though

and he responded to that

here are the instances in which he did not respond-

when it wasnt a high pitched voice,

or when we werent looking at him

soooo, i think it has to do more with your tone of voice rather than the name

P: but that was my cat

but anywho, nahh its not too old to rename her

whichever she goes to, call her that!

Answer 10

i don't think she is too old, most cats live to be 16/18yrs so she will have her new name longer than her old one.