Cats: do they understand us?

i think they do understands our vocals... as they have their own system of understanding... i dont know what it is... mine cat also do lots of things upon my saying... so it shows they do understand us..

Cats can understand so much! It's amazing, so many people think only dogs understand human words but that is not true. My cats know many words and phrases - Up, make the bed (they move to the other side of the bed while I straighten it then move back when I'm done), bedtime, Spin the kitty (this means get out of my computer chair), want some?, toy, outside, spider (this means please come and watch this so I can get a shoe; they are always rewarded with tuna for this) etc. My Siamese knows even more, I have taught her "Share" which means she needs to scoot over and I'll share the chair with her and "Kellie can stay" which means even though I'm next to the computer I don't need the chair so she can go back to sleep.

I think they understand more they want us to think they do. I believe most of them do know when they are doing something they shouldn't. They probably react more to tone of voice than the actual words though.

my cat talks to me... yes I know I'm nuts, but really everytime i call her she meows, and everytime I ask her to do something she meows. She can also knock on doors when she wants in or out... So yes I do think my cat understands me... I just have to learn to understand her!

i had a cat who is no more now, sadly. but when she was me me, i knew she could understand me, even what i'm feeling at the moment when i was looking into her eyes. there was no need of a language to communicate to her what i wanted to say her.

I know so called experts say that cats don't have the ability to understand what we say but I think they are full of it.I have had cats all my life and when ever I would yell at them they would stop what they were doing.I believe that cats are more intelligent then they are being credited with.

Yes i do without a doubt! Especially my older cat Dude..hes 14..but i got him as a Christmas Present 7 yrs ago..when i ask him if hes hungry he runs to his bowl and meos and rubs on me..If i want him to lay on me..I say i neeed lovin..and he jumps on me and gives me all sorts of lovin,,if he has been bad..i will tell him to go to his room..lol..and he does..hes the best cat ever! and the best thing that came out of that realtonship lol!

i think my cats can understand me.i agree with you, they have brain.

My cat generally understands; he just doesn't always mind. He's like any toddler.

Moomin understands exactly what I am saying a lot of the time. "Food" is her favourite word:-) but I do believe cats can understand perfectly well what we mean, they simply chose to ignore it - lol

I think that they understand what we are saying. If you usually use the same words when you are saying something, they learn what the words mean. My cats know that when we say "food" it means that it's time to eat. They know that when I say "stay of the counters" that they have to move or I'm going to move them. And they know that when I say "no" there's a chance that they will get a mist of water in their face. So, the more they hear the same words, the more they understand what you are saying.

I really think they do. I wish I knew how they understand us but my cat listens to whatever I tell her.. I would love to know what she thinks in return though.

I think so, because i used to have a cat myself, she stops when i tell her to stop what shes doing- and whats good about them is that they also seem to know what you feel too- like when i go home tired from school- and i had a bad day, she would come to me and rub her body on my leg till so i pick her up and put her on my lap, and just rests there, like she's telling me that its alright, and she lets me comb her fur and it kinda makes me feel better in return.. =)

i think that cats form reflexes... they respond to our repetitive actions by reflexes. they o learn something ..but not our language... Me for instance. I raise my hand threatening like and say loud NO... and she got used to this action ..and moves away ..from what she was doing

Yes all animals Understand us I can sit and hold a conversation with my little Dog and he will listen to every Word I say and sometimes put his little Comment in lol

i sometimes i think they do then other times i wonder. i know that if you tell a cat no they seem to understand what that means.