How Smart Are Cats?

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

When I say cats I mean felines which would not only be domesticated cats but also the big ones as well. We know humans and primates are smart but where do felines rank? Is a lion smarter than an eagle? Is a tiger smarter than a wolf? I don't know but I love my kitties and think they're pretty clever.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Very. To smart to be TRULEY trusted. they would eat us if they weighed 100lbs more then hey do.

 

[Pornfan99]

Cats rock! If I slept in too late on a weekend, they would wake me up by giving me "kisses." They'd rub their wet noses on mine, to wake me up.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I had one that would just bite my nose! I miss that little fucker. She's actually a major reason my wife and are together.

 

[DrakeM]

Cats is smart. Smart enough to ignore you or swat at you if they're in the mood. Cats don't take bullshit and let you know if you're pissing them off. I find them far more human than other pets. I'm not convinced they are entirely domesticated - more like roommates that sponge off you because it suits them. Oh, and did I mention that when a cat purrs it triggers something in humans related to babies and nurturing? Smart? Oh yeah. Just glad they can't run for office, yet.

 

[gmase]

This reminds me of a quote by former Cowboys linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson about Terry Bradshaw: “Bradshaw's so dumb he couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the 'c' and the 'a. ' ”

 

[Supafly]

My cat knows what's ging on here, with me, with this place. Yet I believe that she is not intelligent in the way us humans are, more in an emotional, empathic base

So me, all my life missing signs and signals from other people, am WAY dumber than kitty here

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Almost 8 years ago I adopted 2 kittens from the same litter. It was a litter of 6 and 5 were female. Knowing that the first thing I did was take the only male feeling he had a good position in the litter during weening and would be special. I was right. He's a big lovable tyrant. He uses his catlike intelligence to make sure all of his needs and every one of his wants is taken care of. His sister is an Orange Tabby which is rare for females since 80% of Orange Tabbies are male. She is also special and is an affectionate love machine. She is smart enough to know to obey to her brother's orders. That boy has a serious look with some hostile domineering body language. He's a very clear communicator.

 

[Theopolis Q. Hossenffer]

We live with a 6.5 pound female gray Tabby. She is 6 almost 7 years old. She was found in a window well abandoned by her mother because she had Feline herpes and was really small. The woman who found her took her to where my daughter works at a vet clinic. A Woman who works there is a cat lady and took this cat home and bottle fed her until she built up some strength. Then my Daughter brought her over to"Visit". Everyone knows how that turned out. This kitty is pretty smart as well. Knows when dinner is within 15 minutes and also when treat time is. Loves Dairy products especially Cheddar cheese. No matter where she is in the house if I open the package of cheddar cheese she comes running. The cat then sits on the table and glares at me until I give her some. and some more, and some more. The dog gets pissed because he only gets one piece and she might get 10. ll him she only gets more cause she can come and grab it. If I don't give her some she walks over to the chunk and tries to lick it. Same when the wife has Ice cream. Never gives up until she gets some. Knows when my younger daughter comes over it means nail trim which she hates. Under the bed she goes. Recognizes the carrier and knows a trip to the vet is at hand. She and the dog were adversarial for a while when they were both young but now she has him bamboozled most of the time. He gave up trying to compete. Cute as can be but definitely a little stinker.

 

[Bluejaye]

Cats are scary smart.
I am 100% a crazy cat man. I have one cat that every night at the same time finds my brother and either sits staring at him or follows him around until he takes the dog for her evening walk. Not so he'll take the dog out, she has worked out that when the dog goes for her evening walk, she gets treats. She is smart enough to adjust when the clocks change.
I have another, an old death machine lady. I can sit on my bed and she'll ignore me, stay in her own old bed (bought her a new pretty one, she ignores it). But if I sit on my bed when feeling sick or with a migraine, she's out of the bed, curled up beside me, purring her murderous little heart out.
A third cat has worked out the difference between going into the fridge to get milk or yoghurt, or something else. If it's either of the first two, you close the fridge and she's there waiting for her share.


Generic cat smarts. Their cry is similar to that of a baby, so we'll pay attention. They only talk to us, they don't talk to each other or other animals. It's all about interacting with us, coning us into thinking we're special.

Almost forgot, but I read a paper many, many years ago that said a cats purr was part of a healing mechanism, that also works on humans.

 

[Theopolis Q. Hossenffer]

I have also read that cat "speech" is for humans. They communicate with each other with their tails and positions of. I have noticed if my cat is affectionate or more likely wants something she holds her tail straight up.

 

[Bluejaye]

Try this.
When you and your cat a looking at each other, blink slowly. See if she blinks back, that's cat for hello.
It does work, haven't tried it with my own cats, but there's semi feral that shows up on occasion, I tried it with her and she slow blinked back. Needless to say, made my entire day.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Cats are scary smart.
I am 100% a crazy cat man. I have one cat that every night at the same time finds my brother and either sits staring at him or follows him around until he takes the dog for her evening walk. Not so he'll take the dog out, she has worked out that when the dog goes for her evening walk, she gets treats. She is smart enough to adjust when the clocks change.
I have another, an old death machine lady. I can sit on my bed and she'll ignore me, stay in her own old bed (bought her a new pretty one, she ignores it). But if I sit on my bed when feeling sick or with a migraine, she's out of the bed, curled up beside me, purring her murderous little heart out.
A third cat has worked out the difference between going into the fridge to get milk or yoghurt, or something else. If it's either of the first two, you close the fridge and she's there waiting for her share.


Generic cat smarts. Their cry is similar to that of a baby, so we'll pay attention. They only talk to us, they don't talk to each other or other animals. It's all about interacting with us, coning us into thinking we're special.

Almost forgot, but I read a paper many, many years ago that said a cats purr was part of a healing mechanism, that also works on humans.

That reminds me of a cat I took in. This poor girl looked like she was run over by a car, went to the bushes to die, but didn't die. I found her walking crooked and missing an eye. She was very friendly and still too trusting for her own good. Somebody obviously threw her out. I took her in and she lived the remainder of her life in my house under my care. About 6 years of being spoiled and pampered. I learned a lot from that little one-eyed broken cat. That cat was always a beautiful dignified lady to me.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I have also read that cat "speech" is for humans. They communicate with each other with their tails and positions of. I have noticed if my cat is affectionate or more likely wants something she holds her tail straight up.

I read that too. My male is a motormouth when I come in the room. My female doesn't say much but she communicates with the intensity of her eyes.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Butters The Bean has his own YouTube Channel. I'm a subscriber too.

 

[assari]

I would say cats are smarter dogs and far smarter than I am!

 

[assari]

"are smarter than dogs..."

 

[Theopolis Q. Hossenffer]

I don't know if cats are smarter or not but having lived with some smart dogs(usually girls) I believe cats are way more devious and cunning.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I had an Akita that was brilliant. He recognized so many words I had to start spelling them. I learned he was a good speller too. I could be sound asleep with all the doors open and not worry a bit about an intruder. Kodiak was a canine samurai. But, with all the skills and brains he had, my two tabbies would be better able to survive on the street hunting for food not getting hit by cars if they were all born wild. Different type of intelligence. The cats are better at being independent and the dog is a pleaser who responds to commands.

I've not had many problems with pests because I feed feral cats. They are welcome and earn their keep. I actually recruited a large male grey tabby that I gave a nice life of semi-retirement to. No rat leaves my back yard with its head attached.

 

[assari]

I've not had many problems with pests because I feed feral cats. They are welcome and earn their keep. I actually recruited a large male grey tabby that I gave a nice life of semi-retirement to. No rat leaves my back yard with its head attached.

The mere presence of a cat can drive mice out of the yard.