It is best to do this activity in an uncluttered area where your cat can focus all of her attention on you. [5] X Research source If she tries to look behind the solid item to see where the toy went, she is demonstrating an understanding that the toy is hidden and did not simply disappear. [6] X Research source This level of intelligence is about that of an 18-month old child. [7] X Research source
Even though she may not be able to see the mouse once it goes under the furniture, she may be able to predict accurately where it will come out. [8] X Research source Your cat may be able to make this prediction by watching the mouse’s movements before it goes under the furniture. [9] X Research source Her ability to predict where the mouse comes out demonstrates the intelligence of a two-year old child. [10] X Research source
Part of your cat’s intelligence has to do with her ability to rapidly change her behavior according to her environment. For example, if you give her a toy that allows her to bring out her predator side, she is showing that she can rapidly adjust from a pampered house cat to a cat on the hunt. [15] X Research source Another aspect of her intelligence is her ability to manipulate and handle objects in her paws. [16] X Research source The next time your cat is playing with her toys, watch how she is able to grip and manipulate them with her paws. Cats are sometimes unfairly labeled as less intelligent than dogs, or simply unintelligent, because they do not perform like dogs on certain intelligence tests. For example, when put in a maze, a cat is likely to stop and investigate the blind alleys, rather than navigate quickly through like a dog. [17] X Research source Rather than indicating a lack of intelligence, the investigation is a cat’s way of exploring, and getting a good feel of, its environment. [18] X Research source The entire scope of feline intelligence is beyond what can be explained in this article. Consider talking to your veterinarian or visiting your local bookstore or library to learn about feline intelligence.
Dogs are social creatures and have become increasingly skilled at performing different social tasks in the human world (e. g. , therapy dogs, seeing-eye dogs, rescue dogs), which gives them a high level of social intelligence. [21] X Research source However, the intense domestication of dogs may have caused them to lose some survival skills along the way. [22] X Research source Cats, who are independent and aloof, tend not to have the same level of social skills as dogs. However, their independence means they can largely survive on their own without being heavily dependent on people. [23] X Research source This independence is an aspect of cat intelligence. Because cats and dogs have different skills sets, they use their intelligence in different ways. Neither intelligence is necessarily superior or inferior to the other.
Whereas dogs are social animals and are eager to please their owners, cats are more independent and less likely to look to their owners for approval. [25] X Research source Your cat may wonder why she needs to show you her intelligence at all. Another challenge is that there are no scientific tests to accurately assess a cat’s intelligence. In addition, humans tend to equate high levels of animal intelligence with how similar the animal acts to humans. For example, an animal who has good eyesight is deemed more intelligent than an animal whose eyesight is not as good. [26] X Research source Looking at a cat’s intelligence through the lens of human expectations presents a challenge to really knowing how intelligent that cat is. [27] X Research source
