Cat intelligence

[frankofile]

We all know our cats are characters, but how do we measure intelligence? We have 4 rescues from CP and love them all. But the special one is Minnie Mouse who was found at 2 weeks old, one of 10, and very weak. Now she rules our house. Her special tricks are waking my husband each morning at around 5am. I have watched her ,OH so carefully putting a gentle paw up his nose, down his throat, but best of all, lifting his eye lids with her paws, as if to say, if your eyes are open, you can see me!
I think this shows signs of advanced thinking

[puddicat]

frankie my bosscat came into my life some 8 years ago,she loves me i know that,she has struggled with issues,she wont go out she hates someone coming close to her,but sometimes she comes under the covers and purrs,i think she was a ferral kitten got her at 5 weeks old! love her and she she knows how to press my buttons lol!

[yelofox]

Ive got 3 rescues and 3 Bengals

I get woken up by Tori (one of the Bengals) licking my hand - if I try to ignore her she hesd butts my face.

Saffy (one of the Bengals) opens all my drawers - I did have drawers with a rail like handle that she would hook her paw on........................ so I thought if a got some with round knobs that she wouldnt be able to open them ....... OH NO she now opens them by pulling them with her teeth!!!

Dizzy (one of the rescues) opens doors by jumping up on the handle

[frankofile]

Proves my point. They are very intelligent, arn't they?

[Cheeris]

I think, as you described it, that it shows signs of LEARNING, not thinking. Not necessarily the same.

If the cat is adapting every morning to a changing set of circumstances then that is evidence of intelligence. If the cat is, possibly by trial and error, acquiring a set of techniques to wake your husband up then that is learning (which is still very impressive), but not thinking.

On a side point, could your husband give me some tips on how to get to such a deep sleep the cat has to stick her paw down his throat to get his attention? I wake up when a train goes past 1 1/2 mile away!!

[Barmaid]

My old lady is a bit smart and terribly manipulative. She understands lots of words (birdies, fish, tuna, "give us a kiss", bed, monkey (her fav toy), and loads of others). She used to play me and my ex off against each other.

When I was married, her favourite trick was to sit and look at our dresser, just gently patting her paw on it, but not scratch it. My ex used to go balistic and put her out the front. 2 minutes later she would be back in through the cat flap at the back and sat by the dresser with an evil look on her face that said "you'll give this up before I will". It could go on for hours and I am sure she only did it to wind him up!! I used to be catatonic with laughter.

My boy cat responds only to "dinner".

In comparison terms, she is Al Capone - smart and devious. He is your common street thief. Chancy, bold and too stupid not to get nicked regularly.

[Theland1]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

[bensmum]

That cartoon is exactly like my old cat. I removed the baseball bat just in case but she drives me mad at 4.30am most days. And yes, they are intelligent animals!

[frankofile]

Cheeris, if I knew how he did it I'd sell it on E-Bay! I have pointed out that that little paw was probably in the cat litter 5 minutes previously, but still he sleeps on.

[ruthann58]

dont you just love them all to bits cant imagine life without them we are down to 6 we did have 12 at one time all with their own characters over the years we have had at least 20 and and each a little treasure in their own way ,issy sitting on the arm of the settee at the moment purring away like a motorbike she was a feral kitten who when caught dangled from my sons finger by just her teeth with the blood dripping and would not let go now the most affectionate cat in the world to me

[pastafreak]

Every time I see it,"simons cat" has me rolling!....When allowed in my bedroom,my Caspar will wake me by chewing on my hair......eeeuuwwww!

[bigmamma]

Dr Stanley Coren has devised several tests you can do with your dog to determine its canine IQ , I wonder if there's a similar book out for cats . That link is so funny Theland:-)
xxx

[pastafreak]

Here's another one..... http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=simons+cat s&ei=UTF-8&fr=cb-hp06

[Ice.Maiden]

Awww...that's nice, frankofile.
I've always had cats, and they've all shown signs of intelligence. One of mine sits when you tell him to, and jumps up to snuggle against your shoulder, but I think all of them have their own clever little ways.

[bigmamma]

Tee hee , I'm wheezing with laughing at that one pasta !

[Theland1]

We have four.
The Siamese seems to know everything .

The Ragdoll seems to know nothing.

Two black and white moggies, sisters, Meg and Millie, and we als call these two, "The Krays," as they always work as a pair, hunting or fighting other cats away, are crafty but loyal.

[bigmamma]

Talking about your Krays , working as a pair ...lol ...I can just see them in their domain .
My dog is trying to tell me she wants to sleep , she's just conveniently leaned on the remote and turned the tv off !