Does your cat often do silly things? Do you sometimes wonder if your cat is mentally challenged? But other times you think they are exceptionally smart. The moment you glance at them, they know you're going to clean their ears and immediately start playing hide-and-seek with you.
So, how intelligent are cats?
Today, let's talk about whether cats are intelligent animals.
Brain Index
The Encephalization Quotient (EQ) is a measure of the relative size of the brain, which is the ratio of the actual size of an animal's brain to its expected size. It is often used to estimate an animal's intelligence.
The brain index is a more accurate measure than the brain-to-body mass ratio because it takes into account allometric growth. The relationships and formulas for the brain index apply only to mammals and not to other animals.
Hmm... Cats do seem to have a much lower Cognitive Index than humans.
However, this EEG index is just one criterion, and it alone does not mean that humans and dogs are smarter than cats.
Furthermore, the brain index is a test designed for humans, so it may not be entirely applicable to cats. Naturally, cats scored lower.
What human age is the mental capacity of a cat equivalent to?
So, what human age is the equivalent of a cat's intelligence?
Based on the fact that cats' behavior is similar to that of a child around 2 years old during development, the mainstream theory is that cats' intelligence is equivalent to that of a 2-3 year old human child.
However, this is not the same thing, because a two-year-old can speak some language and understand the concept of numbers. But a cat, at any age, will not speak fluent language.
Similarly, cats can do things that a two-year-old human child cannot. For example, they have high motor skills, strong hunting abilities, and excellent intelligence in judging various things.
So why haven't there been any definitive scientific studies concluding that cats are intelligent?
In fact, cats are less domesticated than dogs, meaning they are more unruly and extremely uncooperative in experiments (think of how your master ignores you). However, measuring a cat's intelligence requires certain conditions and repeated experiments, which greatly increases the difficulty of the experiment and makes it impossible to give accurate results.
However, in reality, cats are not stupid; in fact, they are smarter than humans in some areas.
Where do cats get their intelligence?
So where exactly does a cat's intelligence manifest itself?
High-altitude identification capability
Cats are highly intelligent and can recognize three-dimensional space.
Cats can choose the shortest route, or they can immediately find a safe place once they get there.
Therefore, even in a maze with steps and distances, one can observe from a high vantage point and ascend and descend easily.
Strong capture ability
When cats hunt, they employ different hunting methods and are very patient.
For example, it might chase after the prey, advance in an ambush, or detour to a place where the prey is not paying attention to attack.
Additionally, you can change your ambush or hide-and-jump method at any time.
Strong judgment
Cats are intelligent enough to act quickly when they determine that they are in danger or may be in danger.
In addition to escaping quickly in dangerous situations, they also react swiftly when facing enemies.
High sensitivity
Cats are particularly alert and perceptive animals; they can detect the slightest movement or disturbance immediately.
Strong short-term memory
It can be said that cats have a very strong memory.
Cats have the ability to remember things they see in an instant; however, this memory ability is limited to situations where the cat is interested in or has a positive or negative experience with that thing.
For example, when catching cockroaches, cats will clearly remember where the cockroaches are hiding. Even if the cat goes to the toilet in the middle, it will wait in the same place when it comes back.
Strong long-term memory
Cats also seem to be good at "long-term memory," but this is often learned by repeating short-term memories.
In particular, they have a very strong memory of things they dislike, places, and dangerous things, such as veterinary clinics and bathrooms.
Therefore, if you always take her out for a bath in a cat carrier, she will gradually associate the cat carrier with going out for a bath, and the next time you take the carrier out, she will immediately hide. Thus, a positive association needs to be established during the socialization process.
To give another example, if you frequently scold or hit your cat, it will remember that you equal a huge threat. Over time, the cat will become wary of you and refuse to come near you.
Furthermore, because of its strong long-term memory, it has the ability to be trained and learn.
Curious
Curiosity is also a manifestation of high intelligence.
Although he is a cautious cat, he is also very curious, so when he encounters a new situation or object, he often tries to adapt to it or approaches it with interest.
As can be seen from the above, cats are very clever in protecting themselves and satisfying their interests and desires.
How to train
How can we train cats using their intelligence?
Being able to communicate well with a cat is probably the best way to train it.
During training, it's best to ensure that the cat's actions, whether signaled or performed, are voluntary, rather than forced.
It is important to remember that cats have the following characteristic: even if they are trained and rewarded, they will not always behave in the same way.
This is not because cats are unintelligent, but because cats tend to act based on their immediate feelings.
The training method is as follows:
I. Getting to know each other from kittenhood
Kittens are in a period of intellectual development from the second to the seventh week after birth, and this is also the optimal time for socialization.
Therefore, socializing the cat during this period is of paramount importance for future training.
II. Snacks and Sounds—Conditioned Reflex
There is a method of using a clicker; pressing it will produce a clicking sound.
By combining sounds with treats, cats will eventually remember that this sound equals a treat. This method can also be used to train cats to understand their names, and you'll soon have a feline overlord who will come to your call at any time.
By using sound and reward conditioning, some cats will be able to perform various tricks.
With the right methods, your cat can gradually become as well-trained as a dog!
