What are good old man names for a dog?

Walter, Frank, Harold, Stanley, Gus, Hank, Otis, Chester, Wilbur, Ernest, Albert and Clarence are all classic old man names that suit a dog.

What are good old lady names for a cat?

Mabel, Ethel, Dorothy, Agnes, Mildred, Gladys, Beatrice, Edith, Pearl, Hazel, Opal and Myrtle are classic old lady names that suit a cat.

Can you rename an older dog or cat?

Yes. Say the new name just before meals, treats and attention, and most pets respond to it within a week or two. A name that sounds a little like the old one is the easiest change.

← Tools

Old-soul names

Walter. Mabel. Hank. Some names only suit a pet with a grey muzzle and opinions. Pick a style, page through, and keep the ones you like.

My shortlist

Tap a name to keep it here. Say each one out loud a few times, the way you would call it across a park.

Adopting an older pet who already has a name? Most learn a new one in a week or two if every use of it comes with something good. A name that sounds a little like the old one is the easiest switch.

This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer

Choosing a name that sticks

A good pet name is short, easy to call and unlike the cues you use every day. One or two syllables with a clear ending carries best across a garden. Names that sound like no, sit or stay make training harder than it needs to be.

Old-fashioned human names have become some of the most popular pet names of all, partly because they are funny on a puppy and exactly right on an old dog. Try saying your favorites out loud for a day before you decide.

If you are adopting an older pet who already answers to a name, you do not have to keep it. Use the new name just before every good thing, meals, treats and fuss, and most pets learn it within a week or two.

More tools

All tools →