Why Do Cats Come When You Whistle – 5 Reasons

Most people know that you can teach a dog to come to you when you whistle, but did you know that you can do this with cats as well. However, there are some other reasons why cats come to people when they whistle besides training. So, this begs the question: why do cats come when you whistle? 

Cats come to you when you whistle because they are curious about the sound. A whistle can sometimes sound a lot like a mouse, and it is a cat’s instinct to go to mice and hunt them. Cats can also be trained to come to whistling sounds.

In this article, we will explain all of the common reasons cats come when you whistle. In addition to this, we will also be answering some commonly asked questions and providing you with some additional things to consider about cats coming to you when you whistle. Let’s get into it! 

Reasons Cats Come To You When You Whistle

There are five main reasons why cats come to you when you whistle. Many cats will initially come to you when you whistle because they are curious or annoyed by the noise.

After a while, a cat may come to you when you whistle because they have learned that it is rewarding or even because they have been trained to do so. Here are the five reasons cats come to you when you whistle. 

They Are Curious About The Noise

A kitten or confident adult cat may come over to you when you whistle because they are curious about the noise, especially if they have never heard a person whistle before. They will likely hear the sound and immediately come over to check out the sound and where it came from. 

They Are Annoyed By The Noise 

Cats may also come over to you when you whistle because they are annoyed by the noise, especially if you are whistling for your cat all of the time.

A cat annoyed by your whistle will likely come to you reluctantly, and you may need to whistle several times for your cat to come to you.

Considering that this is not the reaction that most cat owners want from their cats when they whistle, it may be beneficial to work extra hard on making the experience very rewarding for your cats by giving them their favorite treats or playing one of their favorite games. 

The Noise Sounds Like A Squeaky Mouse 

Many cats have strong hunting instincts, and cats are mainly used for hunting things like rats and mice.

As a result, a whistle that sounds like a mouse could easily kick in your cat’s hunting instincts, and this will lead them to come over to the source of the sound. Of course, the source of the sound is you, so your cat will come over to you naturally. 

They Have Learned That Coming To You When You Whistle Is Rewarding 

If you reward your cat every time he comes to you when you whistle with treats or a game, he will quickly figure out that coming to you when you whistle is a fun and rewarding experience. As a result, he will likely come running over to you every time that you whistle because he knows that something really good is about to happen to him. 

They Have Been Trained To Come At The Sound Of A Whistle 

When you have consistently made the experience of coming to you when you whistle rewarding, you have trained them to come to you on command. Yes, this is possible with cats, and this command is not limited to just dog owners. Some cats come to their owners when they whistle because they have been trained to do so. 

Do Cats Like When You Whistle

Some cats like it when you whistle because they know that doing so will give them treats or a fun game, and other cats like the sound. After all, it reminds them of a mouse.

However, some cats may be afraid of a whistling noise, especially if the sound is very jarring and loud. We will explain what you should do if your cat is afraid of a whistling sound a little later on in this article. 

Can Whistles Work On Cats

Yes, whistles can work on cats when properly trained to come to you when you use them. You can do this by rewarding your cat every time that he comes to you when you whistle. Once your cat comes to you every time you whistle, you can phase out food or toy rewards and praise him most of the time. 

Are Cat Whistles Bad For Cats

Essentially cat whistles and dog whistles are the same thing. However, cats can be more affected by this tool than dogs because their hearing is better.

As a result, you need to be very careful when using a dog or cat whistle around your cat to avoid hurting their ears. It is recommended that you do not blow one of the whistles loudly indoors, and you should never do so when your cat is right next to you.

In addition, prolonged exposure to this loud noise indoors can also damage your cat’s ears, so use a cat whistle sparingly if you plan on using one. 

Things To Consider

There are some additional things that you should consider when cats come to you when you whistle. These include what you should do if your cat is afraid of the whistle sound, and when using a cat whistle can be helpful. Here are some things to consider about what cats come when you whistle. 

What To Do If Your Cat Is Afraid Of A Whistle

Some cats may be afraid of a loud whistle noise, even if it is a normal whistle and not a dog or cat whistle. Luckily, there are other ways that you can get your cat to come to you.

Many people shake a can or whistle with their mouths to make their cat’s experience more pleasant and enjoyable. Many other sounds will do this as well, and you can find whatever sound works for you and your cat. After all, you want your cat to come to you, not run away from you. 

When Using A Cat Whistle Is Helpful

We have mentioned when a cat whistle can be harmful to your cat, and it is not necessarily the best tool to use indoors due to how loud it can be without us realizing it. However, there are times when using a dog or cat whistle for your cat can be beneficial.

If you have an outside cat who tends to wander far away from home, then using a cat whistle can be a great way to get them to come back home. It will not hurt your cat’s ears because they are outside and far from the noise, but it is still a good idea to be mindful of the other pets around you.