Don’t you just wish cats could talk so you can figure out exactly what they need and want? Indeed, understanding how to better communicate with our feline friends is a topic that resonates among us cat lovers. And with the ever-evolving technology today, you might be wondering - Is there a way to translate our cats' meows and such into human language? What if there actually is?
Well, have you heard about Justin Beiber? No, not the singer, but one of the famous cats on TikTok. A cat talking with buttons, Justin quickly became viral, along with other pets seemingly “talking” with buttons. What? How? Let’s get to know more about the art of human-feline communication and how cats can talk with the buttons below.
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Content:
What Are Cat Buttons
Cat buttons, or talking pet buttons, are interactive button devices that allow pets to communicate with their parents. When a pet presses a button, it plays a pre-recorded word, like “play,” “food,” or “outside” by the pet parent.
The concept started when speech pathologist Christina Hunger adapted communication techniques she used on children to teach her dog, Stella, an alternative way to communicate using buttons, sparking a viral movement. Stella's success led to hundreds of pets—from cats, dogs, and beyond—using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to express their needs.
With a reliable pet camera like the Petcube Cam, you can elevate the experience of monitoring your cat. With its innovative features, the camera can help you get to know more about your feline friend and how they can use cat buttons to talk to you and vice versa. Cat communication with buttons could be a good way for your cat to express their needs and wants, and with the Petcube Cam, you won’t miss a thing!
Do Cat Buttons Work
Evidence shows that a cat talking with buttons seems to be beneficial in human-feline communication, at least in some cases. Research by Rossano and colleagues suggests that pets using soundboards are showing real intent in their communication. While they might not be declaring "I love you" as often as their humans would like, animals are consistently using buttons for more practical needs such as "food," "water," "play," and "outside”. Some pets are forming new word combinations too. For example, the dog Parker hit the buttons for "squeaker" and "car" after seeing an ambulance outside, even though his human didn't catch on right away.
While Rossano is cautious not to overstate the findings, the evidence so far shows that pets are definitely communicating. He can 100% vouch that many dogs and cats can use the soundboards to communicate with their pet parents.
The research has the potential to help improve pets' lives by teaching pet parents how to better understand their needs, like when they’re in pain. For example, Copper, a dog with frequent ear infections, used the buttons “ear” and “help” to alert his human when he needed attention.
How Do Cat Talking Buttons Work
Pet communication is evolving with the rise of soundboard buttons that let cats "talk" by pressing phrases like "food," "play," or even "love you!" These buttons enable cats to express their needs, emotions, and observations. Over time, through repetition and modeling, cats can combine words to create simple sentences, according to licensed veterinary technician and animal behavior consultant Brittany Thomas. For example, by associating the phrase "dinner time" with food, cats learn to communicate their desires, much like they learn to respond to familiar sounds, like a treat bag shake.
In a Reddit discussion, it was advised that before starting target training, it is important to ensure your cat understands the button's purpose. Jumping into it too early might confuse them into thinking it’s just a trick. Use two buttons: one for training and one for treats. Guide them with high-value rewards, and reinforce button presses with positive feedback.
Bonding with pets just got better with the collaboration of FluentPet Connect buttons and Petcube cameras, where pet parents can receive real-time video clips every time their pets 'talk.' Petcube’s two-way audio lets you hear and see how your pet communicates, creating a deeper, more interactive connection with your furry friend.
Conclusion
Teaching your cat to use buttons can deepen your bond, enhance communication, and boost their mood and behavior. Start simple with a few buttons for clear responses, and remember, communication with your cat happens naturally in many ways, whether you're using talking buttons for cats or not.
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