Renaming pets?

jebba · Dec 10, 2010

We are in the process of adopting two cats. One is a year old and the other is 6 months. We're adopting them together because they are friends and get along well, and the foster owner wants to keep them together.
 
Anyway, their names are Banjo and Salem. Perfectly fine names, but if we were so inclined, is it gauche to change their names? Perhaps I am just imposing my human sensibilities on them. I'm not sure they'd care. But it feels a bit...rude? to change their names.
 
When I was a kid, we inherited a cat named Puddin'. I loved the cat, but hated the name.

wherestheportojohn · Dec 10, 2010

We've renamed adopted guinea pigs throughout the years.
They never seem to mind...or even notice. <img alt="rolleyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">
 
 
BTW, Troll#2's nickname has been 'Puddin' since he was 2....short for "That boy is so goofy...he's a regular 'Puddin' Head'"

4boysmom · Dec 10, 2010

Do cats even listen when you call their names?
 
When we got dog2, she was 5yo. She had been taken from her owners due to neglect. Not sure who told animal control what her name was. Since she was an adult, we were advised to keep her name or find one that was similar. We kept her name (Kenya) although we usually call her Kenny.
 
When we got dog3, he was still pretty young, maybe a year or two. He had only been in foster for a couple months. They had named him Benny. Uh oh... We were concerned that the dogs wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Not a problem. If we are calling them for something fun (dog food, car ride, etc) we get both. If we are calling them for something not so fun (go to bed) neither listens.
 
Long way of saying, I don't think it matters.

GaReb770 · Dec 10, 2010

My cat knows his name very well. If I say "Charlie" he comes or stops meowing or whatever else I want him to do. I have no idea what his name was before he adopted me. He was a feral stray about 3 months probably when I took him in. He sleeps right next to me in the bed but is not a lap cat.
 
As for the dog she was about six weeks or so when we got her and named her "Tucker" so it's the only name she has known.
 
The two animals do differentiate between themselves as to which one I'm calling.

mudrunner · Dec 10, 2010

We got our dog at 6 months & she was already named Sophie....we couldn't relate to the name & the kids wanted to call her Koda. The breeder didn't see any issue with it.
Besides, half the time we call her Ding Dong or Dipshit & she knows we're talking to her.

jebba · Dec 10, 2010

Our other cat knew her name, sorta. I'd experiment by saying similar syllables, and she'd raise her head.

Rainey · Dec 10, 2010

Both of our current dogs were named, both were adopted. I think its confusing to rename. They respond to their names well all the time.
 
Henry and Zoey the corgies
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/65441/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Corgies" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15419" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15419/width/480/height/360" style="; width: 480px; height: 360px"></a>

Mrtambalynman · Dec 10, 2010

I don't think its a big deal - particularly if they are young. Hell my dog is 9 and he doesn't know his name yet.

gretriever · Dec 11, 2010

When I was a kid, we had a (of course) golden retriever. I think my mom wanted to re-name me because she always got my name mixed up with the dog. She'd look at me and say, "Joey, go get the milk out of the refrigerator." or whatever. Nice to know I was on equal footing with the dog. <img alt="grommit.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/grommit.gif">

crazyfrog · Dec 11, 2010

we got Bella when she was about 3 months old. I wanted to change her name (so many dogs are named bella!) but my husband wouldn't let me. not sure if it's cause she's the only animal we have, but she knows when we are talking to her no matter what we call her (bella-dizzle, dogzilla, killer, etc)

jcumming · Dec 11, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968868"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> . Nice to know I was on equal footing with the dog. <img alt="grommit.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/grommit.gif">
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My wife always accidentally called the kids "Oreo" when she was getting angry. It pissed them off no end which I thought was really funny.
 
Oreo preferred to be called Oreo Grace as she felt it was more stately. She got called the kids names at times, but she just ignored it.

airehead · Dec 11, 2010

Since our pets have been mainly rescues, they've been saddled with some horrible monikers. We've renamed all of them.
 
No problems. They all answer when it suits them. Especially the cat.
 
 
Gretreiver: Aire jr jokes that he wasn't even on equal footing. He said the dogs all got better Crimmus presents than he did. little snot.

jebba · Dec 11, 2010

My family has always had this bizarre habit of naming our pets regular people names. My parents' last dogs' was named Brian. I keep joking that if we rename the cats, we'll call them Mark and Jennifer.

gretriever · Dec 11, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block"> Gretreiver: Aire jr jokes that he wasn't even on equal footing. He said the dogs all got better Crimmus presents than he did. little snot.
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Considering that among your dogs was Gracie, his argument has some validity to it.
 
Makes me laugh to think what sort of trouble she and Max are getting themselves into. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

4boysmom · Dec 11, 2010

A husband, four boys, three dogs, two birds and a snake. Is it any wonder I can never come up with the right name?!

SportiGrl · Dec 11, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jebba <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968934"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> My family has always had this bizarre habit of naming our pets regular people names. My parents' last dogs' was named Brian. I keep joking that if we rename the cats, we'll call them Mark and Jennifer.
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my kids watch FAmily Guy and their dogs name is also Brian ... weird, imho

RaisingArizonainNH · Dec 11, 2010

LOL... When our neighbors moved in they had dogs named Sam and Clara... My kids who were 3 & 5 at the time are Sam and Sarah... My neighbor would yell at her dogs to stop barking --- Be QUIET .. or to COME BACK, SAM AND CLARA... My kids thought she was often yelling at them!
 
 I have a dog namde Louie.. he came with that name .. but as it goes the names evolve.. He is often called "Lucifer" or " Luminator"... or many others. I renamed my last dog - she was about 3 years old and the kennel did not know any history on her.. they called her Windy. We named her Angel.. and she was definitely not confused by it . They adapt. If you feed them and treat them well.. they will respond to your voice and you can call them almost anything really! 
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jebba <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968934"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> My family has always had this bizarre habit of naming our pets regular people names. My parents' last dogs' was named Brian. I keep joking that if we rename the cats, we'll call them Mark and Jennifer.
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airehead · Dec 12, 2010

Mr Aire has me I I this convinced to get a golden. 
 
Gracie and Max are probably stealing St Peter's cookies.
 
 
 
And about understanding names: They totally know the difference between Bed Hogs and Bad Dogs. (they laugh at both)
 
 
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968951"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Considering that among your dogs was Gracie, his argument has some validity to it.
 
Makes me laugh to think what sort of trouble she and Max are getting themselves into. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
</div>
</div>
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968868"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> When I was a kid, we had a (of course) golden retriever. I think my mom wanted to re-name me because she always got my name mixed up with the dog. She'd look at me and say, "Joey, go get the milk out of the refrigerator." or whatever. Nice to know I was on equal footing with the dog. <img alt="grommit.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/grommit.gif">
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gretriever · Dec 12, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by airehead <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1969018"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Mr Aire has me I I this convinced to get a golden. 
 
Gracie and Max are probably stealing St Peter's cookies.
 
 
 
And about understanding names: They totally know the difference between Bed Hogs and Bad Dogs. (they laugh at both)
 
 
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968951"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Considering that among your dogs was Gracie, his argument has some validity to it.
 
Makes me laugh to think what sort of trouble she and Max are getting themselves into. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
</div>
</div>
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/71604/renaming-pets#post_1968868"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> When I was a kid, we had a (of course) golden retriever. I think my mom wanted to re-name me because she always got my name mixed up with the dog. She'd look at me and say, "Joey, go get the milk out of the refrigerator." or whatever. Nice to know I was on equal footing with the dog. <img alt="grommit.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/grommit.gif">
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If you get one, choose the name carefully. Yet another true story:
 
My SIL several year ago had obtained a Basset Hound, which she had to re-name Grover.
 
His original name was Steve. For some reason, the wife found this terribly funny. <img alt="evil.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/evil.gif">

muzicgrl · Dec 12, 2010

I did not rename Ginger (my cat) because she was 6 and clearly knew her name. I still think it is a dumb name for a cat.
 
My friend Kelly adopted a cat whose name was kelly...she of course changed the cat's name...to Lucy.

Renaming pets?

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