15/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 15, 2026 theSunday Special IX

“W HO’S a good boy?” “Don’t give me that look.” “You’re not even lis tening, are you?” “I know, I know … I’ll be home soon, okay?” It’s not just baby talk. It’s real talk – ad dressed to a furry (or feathered or scaly) audience that never interrupts and rarely judges. If you’ve ever found yourself mid monologue with your cat while making tea, you’re not alone. You’re part of a very large, very chatty club. What may surprise you is that how we talk to our pets actually matters. Beyond the cuteness or habit, it’s a form of bonding, emotional regulation and yes, there’s science to back it all up. Researchers call it “pet-directed speech” – similar to the sing-song way adults talk to babies, known as “paren tese”. High-pitched tones, exaggerated vowels, drawn-out syllables – we do it instinctively. Think: “Helloooo babeeeeeh!” or “Nooo … not the sofaaa.” It may sound silly, but studies show dogs respond best to this kind of talk. It captures their attention, helps them SLFN XS NH\ ZRUGV DQG VLJQDOV D̆ HFWLRQ Cats? They’re less demonstrative, of course, but newer research suggests they recognise their owners’ voices. They’re just choosy about when to respond. Malaysian homes are rich with pet chatter “Don’t be naughty, okay?”, “This one’s so manja D̆ HFWLRQDWH ´ RU ³6LW VWLOO FDQ"´ These phrases, often a mix of English and local expressions, are peppered with D̆ HFWLRQ DQG JHQWOH ZDUQLQJV 7KH\ IRUP part of the everyday rhythm in many households. While pets might not under stand every word, they do recognise tone and pattern. They associate voices with feelings – calmness, stress, excitement, safety. When you speak, you’re not just communicating; you’re setting the emotional tone of their environment. Why do we talk to pets at all, knowing they won’t talk back? Because it works. Talking to pets calms us. It helps us process emotion. It gives form to routine – “walk”, “car”, “bath”. For many people living alone or for the elderly, a pet may be the most consistent listener in their lives. And for the rest of us, they’re the best audience for rants about WUḊ F Ṙ FH SROLWLFV RU H[LVWHQWLDO GUHDG They never interrupt. They never dis agree. They just stay. Tone matters more than words Dogs, especially, tune into how you say something before they process what you’re saying.

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NOT every pet owner is chatty. Some speak only when feeding or walking. Others assume silence equals calm. But animals don’t just respond to words – they read your stillness, your absence, your mood. A quiet home isn’t neutral to a pet – it’s data. Dogs pick up on pauses in routine. Cats notice when a chair is empty for too long. Even a bird can tell when the room feels different. Body language and energy are part of your ongoing “conversation.” Sitting down with a sigh. The tap of your foot. The way your shoulders tense near your laptop. To them, these are messages – sometimes clearer than words. So if you’re not one to talk, that’s okay. But consider what your silence says. A stroke on the head, a look of reassurance, a familiar whistle – these also speak volumes. What your silence tells your pet 6R WDON WR WKHP &RQ¿GH LQ WKHP 6LQJ to them if you must. They may not answer, but they’re always listening. And some times, that’s all we really need. In these moments, saying less matters less than being present and speaking gently, even if only to remind them you’re near. 6 ome people still feel embarrassed talking to animals. They joke about it. They downplay it. But speaking to your pet is one of the most human things you can do. It’s not about whether they understand every word. It’s about showing up, being present and connecting – across species and in silence – with humour, hope and heart.

BY SIMON VELLA

In training, words matter most when SDLUHG ZLWK DFWLRQ 6D\LQJ ³VLW´ ZKLOH guiding the dog gently or “come” with a crouch and outstretched arms – that’s communication. 6 aying “no” isn’t enough unless you redirect the behaviour. What animals understand isn’t the vocabulary – it’s the pattern. In the Malaysian context, makan might mean dinner, whether you speak Malay, Mandarin or Tamil. It’s the association that sticks, not the language. That’s my name Of all the words we use with pets, their name might be the most powerful. It signals identity. It means: “I see you.” It’s how they know they’re not just any dog or cat – they’re your dog, your cat. Whisper it softly and you’ll see an ear ÀLFN D WDLO ZDJ D EOLQN ,W¶V UHFRJQLWLRQ and reassurance. And as pets grow older or fall ill, our voice becomes even more important. When eyesight dims or hearing fades, they rely on tone, rhythm and familiarity. Your words become a guide, a comfort, a cue that they are still safe.

That’s why “Good boy!” delivered with a frown can confuse them – and why “Bad GRJ ´ VDLG FKHHUIXOO\ LV HTXDOO\ ED̈ LQJ Even cats, who are famously unboth ered, are known to react to tension in our voices and postures. They may not always come when called, but they’re listening. That’s not to say more talk is always better. Inconsistent commands – “down” today, “off” tomorrow – can confuse. Constant chatter can overwhelm shy or UHVFXHG DQLPDOV 6DUFDVWLF RU XQSUHGLFW able tones, even if meant playfully, may register as agitation. Clarity and consis tency matter. Not drama. Not volume.

Talking to pets calms us. It helps us process emotion. It gives form to routine.