Is your cat smarter than my cat? Could be. But I guess it depends on how cat intelligence is measured. Are cats that do tricks on command smarter? Maybe they’re simply calmer, can more easily focus on training prompts, and/or are more interested in treats as a reward.
Is Lily smart because she brings me her stuffed toys and sometimes my slippers? I guess this would be considered pretty clever behavior if it was prompted—if I said, “Lily, bring me your baby lamb or go get my slippers.” But Lily simply brings these things as she sees fit. It could be that she has a
purpose in all this and I’m too dense to understand it.
Is a cat smart when she comes when called? I’ve never known a cat who would do that all the time. But yes, I think it shows intelligence when the cat comes if even only occasionally. Any discerning cat who recognizes her name when it’s called or who understands when she’s being summoned, will appear when offered something she wants—like a meal or a treat or petting.
What about cats that can tell time? Does your cat wake you up at the same time every day? Ours do and they let us know loud and clear when it’s time for a meal or a treat. And if we’re getting ready to go someplace, Lily will attempt to block our exit or distract us from the door especially if it’s coming up on a meal time. Her eyes and posture scream, “Don’t leave until you feed me!”
Is it conditioning based on habit and routine or is the cat actually planning, thinking, contemplating? Sometimes it seems they’re scheming.
Experts say a cat has the intelligence of a two or three-year-old child and a better memory than a dog or a monkey. They can learn words. No, they aren’t going to say anything to you, but a cat might respond (when they want to) when make a suggestion—“Treat, Eat, Toy, Go Out.” Our cats get excited when I say, “Bird.” Maybe it’s my tone of voice.
Lily seems to understand that the doorknob is the way in and out of a room. She joins me in the bathroom every morning and evening. And when she’s ready to leave, she stares at the doorknob until I turn it and release her from the bathroom.
Here’s an IQ test you can try with your cat. https://www.petcha.com/cat-intelligence-quiz/ I took it and learned that Lily and Sophie are average kitty-cats. Good to know.
