How Smart Is Your Cat?
Dear Diary,
As cat owners, we’re always proud of our feline friends.
Of course, our cat is the best of them all.
The most adorable.
The prettiest.
The most charming.
And the most intelligent.
Some owners love to tell you about their cat’s ability to open doors or even windows.
But hang on.
How smart are cats actually?
It is often said that they can’t compete with dogs.
Bonkers!
How to determine your cat’s intelligence
Unfortunately, IQ tests are for humans.
But there are other ways to test your cat.
Scientists make use of three core factors:
1) How cats gather information
2) How cats make decisions
3) How cats behave based on their decisions
Some cognitive research outcomes
Even though cats have their own minds, many owners notice that their cat can recognise their voice. They can even distinguish between a variety of words. Though often they decide not to listen …
Cats can tell the difference between shorter and longer time periods. No cat misses their feeding time.
Cats are, in general, good problem solvers (that is, if they’re in the mood for it), and they are certainly more motivated if treats are involved.
Cats love to learn new skills or even tricks. Luckily, the cat commercial market offers a wide choice of interactive toys to keep them entertained.
Cats have social skills. They usually form a tight bond with their owners or other cats.
Signs of a smart cat
I have seen charts on socials categorising cats into different degree levels. (Yeah, I know, not a reliable source).
I wasn’t too surprised to find out that British Shorthairs have an elementary level. I would second that based on Jamie’s behaviour, he definitely isn’t the smartest. He got the looks, that has to be enough.
Some cat breeds are categorised as highly intelligent, such as Siamese, Persians, and Abyssinians.
It is said that a cat’s intelligence can be compared to that of a human toddler.
How to quickly test your cat’s intelligence
It’s pretty easy to test your cat’s intelligence.
1) Take one of your cat’s favourite toys or treats and a box.
2) Show them how you hide the toy or treat underneath the box.
3) Now, wait for your cat to react.
If your cat is a genius, it will quickly turn the box over.
Some might take a little longer, but get there eventually; that’s still a solid effort.
Others (like Jamie) might look at you puzzled, not sure what you want from them and walk away.
Overall, cats are intelligent creatures; however, more often, they are stubborn and decide to hide their genius.