Mandarin Chinese is the same way.
Shui sounds like water flowing
Mao sounds like a meow
Gou, if said in a certain way, sounds like a low bork
Huo sounds like the way a fire roars
I call bullshit on the back claws one. My kitty only has back claws and they totally retract. Not that you'd know it when she jumps onto your lap, but...
And for that, to them, we are just ugly hairless, clumsy kittens
Shui sounds like water flowing
Mao sounds like a meow
Gou, if said in a certain way, sounds like a low bork
Huo sounds like the way a fire roars