Have you ever thought about how smart the cats are that are living in your house? First of all, consider the fact that they pay neither rent nor board: it starts right there. Seriously speaking, according to tests performed by veterinarian, Donald Adams, cats possess a surprisingly high level of intelligence, and have a recall capacity of about 16 hours. They can use insight and “think” their way out of situations, like hiding from the carrier when it’s time to go to the vet and other annoying “high noon moments” in the life of a cat owner (if there is really such a thing). Their curiosity seems to stem from their innate intelligence, and they will work desperately to obtain the results they want.
According to Sarah Hartwell and her 2004 article, “How Intelligent Are Cats?” intelligence tests for cats are being measured more and more in natural home environments rather than artificial laboratory settings. Lab tests are more easily controlled, but they can also give misleading results because the stress of a lab situation does not usually bring out the best in an animal. It is necessary to view the issue of a cat’s intelligence in terms of how the animal perceives the world.
The cat’s eyesight is that of a predator, and studies have indicated that kittens are born with the ability to learn. This is perhaps most aptly illustrated by the fact that a newborn kitten can and often does develop a preference for suckling from a particular nipple on the mother. They can distinguish one from the other by texture, location or smell (or all three). They also adapt to the world outside of their mother very quickly, and by the end of the second week of life, they can usually orient themselves enough to begin to explore their surroundings. It is behavioral development rather than innate brainpower that determines learning ability.
A cat’s behavior can be explained by how they mentally map out their world. Smells represent territorial boundaries which must be respected, and that is why a cat will often take a circuitous route to get from point A to point B.
Still, one question remains. What is the IQ of your cat’s owner? It is clear that this is the least important yardstick a cat uses to determine if you are fit for the job.
Don’t try to outsmart them. Just live and love them. It’s less exhausting and a lot more productive.