Juanjo, veterinarian and popularizer, pointed out that in many houses the same scene is repeated in which a person changes his voice as soon as he approaches his dog or cat. The tone becomes higher, softer and almost childish.
There is no need for a special situation, it can happen when calling a cat from the couch, when greeting a dog when it returns home or when offering it food. The voice changes before the person thinks too much about it.
The issue seems minor, but talking to him baby voice to a pet can generate more response than a common voice.
“It has been shown that the baby voice that we all use to talk to our pet is the most efficient”he explained Juanjo, veterinarian who makes promotional videos in his social networks and is known for his content about dogs, cats and living with animals.
The phrase is quick to understand because it describes something very common. Many people do not speak the same way to their pet as they do to another adult. They raise their pitch, lengthen some words and use sweeter intonation. That change has an effect. Not because the animal understands the entire sentence, but because it can recognize a different signal within the normal noise of the house.
In the dogsthe reaction is usually more obvious. The tail, the ears, the movement of the body or the search for contact quickly show that something has been registered.
On the other hand, in the gatoslogging may be quieter. Sometimes they barely change their posture. Other times they approach little by little. There is not always an intense demonstration, but that does not mean that they have not detected the call.
Why this tone usually works better with dogs and cats
The called baby voice for dogs and cats usually has several traits together. It is higher pitched, slower, more repeated and with a different musicality than the voice used in normal conversation.
That difference helps the message stand out. In a house there are footsteps, televisions, cell phones, doors, conversations and noises of all kinds. A voice with a different tonality and cadence can cut through that background.
Furthermore, for a pet, the voice does not come alone. It comes with a body posture, a look, an approaching hand, a bowl of food, or a leash near the door. All of this creates the same scene.
Therefore, the tone of voice that pets understand best has no relation to speaking louder. In fact, raising your voice too much can have the opposite effect and cause tension, fear or distance.
A soft, recognizable tone can be more effective because it does not invade. It attracts attention without putting the animal on alert. This difference is key, especially in animals that are more sensitive or less accustomed to contact.
