are cats smart?

Question

Are cats smart enough to open doors?

Answer 1

Hi Janis...absolutely. Cats can be trained to do so many things that is within their natural abilities.

Many people do not realize how intelligent cats and how possible it is to train them.

As a professional animal trainer for over 20 years I specialize in training both domestic and exotic cats. Both my housecats not only understand obedience commands (come, sit, down, etc) but are also toilet trained, can flush the toilet, go to wherever I point, follow a target anywhere, jump through hoops, roll over, fetch, take apart a 3-D layered puzzle, wave, give a high-five, raise a paw to ask a question, fetch, do agility (like dog agility), walk on a leash in public and so much more. They understand both visual and verbal cues/signals as well and learn most new behaviours quite quickly within a matter of days and for the more complex behaviours such as balancing and walking on a basketball in a month. Here's a video of someone who has taught her house cat a couple handful of tricks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcoYqlAjRk

Here are videos of cats opening doors: http://youtube.com/results?search_query=cat+opens+door&search=Search

Training is conducted using operant conditioning through positive reinforcement just as with canines. We never coerce/mold an animal to learn rather reward desired behaviour with food, praise (most cats only work for food) or toys and always ignore undesired behaviour so that extinguishes itself over time. This is the key technique to train any animal including goldifsh. Yes! You read that correctly... even small fish can be trained to learn new behaviours! Here's some videos of goldfish playing football, soccer and going through a hoop:
http://www.fish-school.com/gallery.htm

Answer 2

Some, Ive had cats that reach up and try to turn the knobs. You would be surprised how smart they are. One of my cats is a master escape artist and keeps out smarting us! Its crazy.

Answer 3

If they weren't that smart, then they would not still be here on Earth after millions of years. They are very smart and capable of all kinds of abilities. Just the fact that they are good parents, who feed, care for, and tend to their young says a lot.

Answer 4

I have had several kitties that do that. I have a cat that can open all sorts of doors, including cupboards, and regular doors that are not latched. I have another cat that can't figure out how to open the screen door, but he will "knock" on it to let me know he wants in!

Answer 5

Hahahaha sounds like a cats dream to do those things lol star

Answer 6

Yes, cats are smart enough to open doors. My cat opens our doors all the time. Some cats can open door knobs and others can open handles, like mine.

Answer 7

Oh, yeah!
I stayed overnight with a friend of mine several years ago who had a cat. The cat would paw under the door and finally got it open. Creeped me out!

Answer 8

Yup I had a cat who opened screen doors as well as doors with doorknobs. All my cats have also figured out that if they "pitty patter" on the door with their paws we will let them in and out.

Answer 9

yes, cats are quite intelligent, smart enough to train us and that is a neat trick.

Answer 10

Oh yeah, mine has mastered opening sliding doors and even the door to my room, they're little problem solvers.