Cats undeniably exhibit signs of intelligence. They possess a remarkable sense of timing, knowing precisely when breakfast should be served, and they can associate the sight of a cat carrier with a visit to the veterinarian, causing apprehension. It often appears as though they can anticipate our actions and understand our thoughts, while their own minds remain enigmatic to us. This mystery surrounding cats' intelligence arises from their elusive nature and their unwillingness to actively participate in scientific studies. As a result, the question of just how intelligent cats truly are still lingers.
What is the level of intelligence in cats?
Surprisingly, cats possess a brain structure similar to other intelligent animals, including humans. It may astonish you to know that about 90 percent of a cat's brain structure is comparable to ours!
According to Psychology Today, a cat's cerebral cortex, responsible for rational decision making and complex problem solving, contains approximately 300 million neurons. This region of the brain is involved in action planning, language interpretation, and the storage of both short-term and long-term memories. This is why cats often learn through hands-on experience rather than observation. Additionally, cats have more nerve cells in their visual areas compared to humans and many other mammals.
However, measuring a cat's intelligence depends on the criteria used to define intelligence itself.
Which cat breeds are considered the smartest?
Many people believe that the top three smartest cat breeds are Abyssinians, Siamese, and Bengals. This perception is largely based on the breeds' sociability and willingness to interact with their owners. Abyssinians, Siamese, and Bengals are highly social breeds that thrive when engaging and playing with their human companions. They can even be taught to perform tricks!
Nevertheless, intelligence in cats is not solely determined by breed. An exceptional example is Nora, a tabby cat who can play the piano! Nora acquired this skill without being deliberately trained as a trick; she learned by imitating her owner, who teaches piano at home. Nora has been playing the piano since she was one year old and is the only cat out of six in the household who chose to develop this talent. It's an impressive demonstration of feline intelligence, isn't it?
Are cats smarter than dogs?
The ongoing debate between cat owners and dog owners regarding which pet is smarter continues without a definitive answer. Both sides present valid arguments to support their belief, but what does scientific research have to say about this matter?
Studies on animal intelligence generally suggest that dogs are considered smarter due to their higher trainability. Dogs have been domesticated for a longer period than cats and display greater sociability and willingness to please humans. This has allowed them to excel in various tasks such as guiding the blind, search and rescue operations, and police work.
However, intelligence can be measured in different ways. Cats may be perceived as more intelligent because of their independent nature and refusal to conform to human expectations or participate in arbitrary tasks solely for the sake of pleasing their owners. Their distinctiveness and preference for following their own instincts contribute to this perspective.
Furthermore, the common belief that cats ignore their owners due to a lack of understanding is incorrect. Cats simply don't feel the need to acknowledge humans as much as dogs do. As Literature Professor Mary Bly aptly put it, "Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you."
Various studies conducted on cats and dogs offer additional insights into their respective intelligence. One study in 2009 suggested that cats may not be as proficient as dogs or even fish in counting or identifying quantities. However, another study revealed that cats can solve puzzles, although unlike dogs who seek assistance from their owners, cats persistently try different approaches until they succeed. Dogs are undoubtedly more social and inclined to please their owners, while cats display greater independence and prefer to rely on themselves.
In essence, comparing the intelligence of cats and dogs directly is challenging. Their distinct behaviors and characteristics make it difficult to make a definitive judgment regarding their overall intelligence.
The cat express service
While many dog enthusiasts believe that dogs are smarter than cats due to their ability to assist humans with tasks, it's worth noting that cats have also demonstrated their unique talents. While there may not be guide cats or police cats, there is an intriguing historical account of mail delivery cats.
According to a New York Times article, in the late 19th century, the Belgian Society to the Elevation of the Domestic Cat conducted an experiment involving the use of cats to deliver messages between Belgian villages. During this experiment, 37 cats were enlisted, with waterproof bags containing messages attached around their necks.
Remarkably, the fastest cat managed to reach its destination in less than 5 hours, while the rest successfully returned within 24 hours. However, despite the cats' relative success, the service was eventually discontinued in favor of pigeons, which proved to be faster. Nevertheless, it's hard to deny that the cats must have looked adorable in their mail delivery duties, adding an extra touch of charm to the venture.
