How smart are cats?

trhomerun

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
13
Purraise
0
How smart are cats?

My cats [Nipper and Tucker…aka Nip and Tuck] have always enjoyed the proximity and warmth of my computer monitor.

http://home.mchsi.com/~trhomerun/nipandtuck.jpg

Several days ago I purchased a new flat panel. They were, of course, very interested in the new acquisition. They sniffed it and walked around it. They seemed to approve.

However, four days later they cannot resist attempting to hop on the new flat panel. They have knocked it over a half a dozen times and I have caught them in mid air a couple more. Hopefully they will learn.

 

amy-dhh

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
824
Purraise
2
Location
LI, NY
Thought I read somewhere that they are about as smart as a 3-year-old child.

But your situation sounds funny LOL
(as long as they don't break the new monitor of course!)
 

ohnoaninfp

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
96
Purraise
1
It depends on the cat. My borthers cat is as dumb as a doornail. She even set herself on fire once. She didn't get hurt though. In fact she didnt even realize she was on fire. My sisters cat Artie is very smart. She could open up doors as a kitten.
 

martinigirl

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Messages
8
Purraise
0
Location
Canada
Although he's not stupid, one of my cats is always wanting wet food, but if I give him a teaspoon full he eats it and then throws it up immediately. Why doesn't he remember that the food makes him puke? LOL

Like even just a few minutes later after I've cleaned up the mess, he can hear the can opener and be there just as eager again! I don't get him sometimes ....
 

catlady4

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
26
Purraise
1
Location
middle Tennessee
Over Christmas we bought a new flat screen TV, and put it in almost the same location as the older one. My big male Winkie (he only has one eye) used to jump up on the old TV and nap. He is going crazy trying to figure out the new one. It is funny to see him sit and stare at the top of it, you can almost read his mind, "where has my nice warm spot gone?"
 

persi & alley

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
6,313
Purraise
15
Location
Farmers Branch, Texas
Originally Posted by ohnoaninfp

It depends on the cat.
My borthers cat is as dumb as a doornail.
She even set herself on fire once. She didn't get hurt though. In fact she didnt even realize she was on fire. My sisters cat Artie is very smart. She could open up doors as a kitten.
I have seen some pretty smart doornails, in fact, there is one in my door right now that I cannot get out so it must be smarter than me.
 

dusty's mom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
2,176
Purraise
13
Location
California
I think my kitty is very smart - most of the time. We are sure she understands English. If she is laying on me, and I need to get up, I tell her to go see Grandpa, and she'll get right up and get in his lap!

No matter what I buy or do, she simply will not play with toys. I think she KNOWS they are toys, and can't be bothered wasting her energy. She knows the difference between prey and toys, and has captured (and eaten) mice, birds and 1 RAT!

Her dumb moment comes when she wants to go outside, and meowing at the door isn't getting our attention, she will go to the fireplace screen (glass) and scratch on it like she thinks it is a door.


Another dumb moment is when she ignores her full clean water bowl, goes outside, and drinks the standing water in a mud puddle.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

trhomerun

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
13
Purraise
0
Update:

They won't stop. They eyeball the monitor...walk around it...sniff it and still try to land on the one inch surface. I have placed a couple of small pillows and a piece of heavy foam behind the monitor.
 

mamakitties

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
197
Purraise
1
Location
California
I got one dumb and one smart cat but the dumb one manages to learn from the smart one. The smart one started to open cabinets and drawers as soon as I got her (4 months) and now both of them can open up cabinets/ drawers so I'm thinking of installing those baby safty lock.
 
Top