Is your pet capable of abstract thinking?

Answer 1

let me ask...

"fido!?"

"woof"

"are you capable of abstract thinking?"

"no"

Answer 2

Yes. I have a couple of dogs that do it all the time. For example, we kept finding things in our fenced yard that didn't belong to us. What the heck? Then on the first Monday after Daylight Savings began, my kids left for the school bus right on time--or an hour early if you think about it--and saw one of our dogs jumping over the fence, back into the yard, with a neighbor's coffee cup in his mouth. That dog never jumped the fence during the day, never even tried. He also knew that he had to be back in the yard before we got up and out. The only reason he got caught is because our routine changed. Pretty clever of the little guy to figure out our routine and that hey, if I get out and get back before they get up, nobody will ever know.............. More stories. Lots more.

Answer 3

And clairvoyance, too. But you have to tune into your pet first. It is an entirely different world of understanding. They study and memorize our behaviours so completely they know where we will be on any given day or night at any given time and usually why we are there and what we will be doing. Cats, especially. If you tune into them and become open and receptive to their life energy, you can think pictures at them and they will respond with pictures back. They do not think in words nor language. They think in visual imagery. The first time you experience this it will astound you. A cat will acknowledge you are on the right track by looking at you and giving you one of those slow blinks for which cats are so famous.

Answer 4

Don't know if this counts, but it impressed me the first time he did it.... My dog has a strong hunting instinct and has never been able to resist barking at and/or chasing my cats. As a result, I have to keep them separated a lot of the time. On the rare occasions when he and one of the cats cross paths, if he goes into his hunting/chasing mode, I reprimand him and put him into my office bedroom and close the door until the cat can flee upstairs. Not long ago, I let him in the house and, as he spotted one of the cats, he looked up at me as if to say "there's no way I can resist the temptation...." and he ran all by himself into the office bedroom and laid down waiting for me to close the door. He has done it a few more times since. Pretty smart (and considerate!)

Answer 5

It depends on how abstract you mean.

For instance, I wouldn't expect my kitties to do advanced math. But they do recognize time, and different people.

I know a dog who recognizes certain words, and addresses. He knows what McDonald's is, and there was a bank he used to know because the teller would give him a treat. Once at the bank the teller had to tell him she didn't have any treats that day- and his ears drooped sadly because he knew what she was saying.

All in all, I don't buy into the 'dumb animal' shtick.

Answer 6

Certainly. My cat is also good at abstract art if all these Jackson Pollock repros hanging on my walls are anything to go by. Bless her!

Answer 7

I don't know about "abstract" thinking but my dogs certainly "think". And my cat certainly has "attitude".

Answer 8

i have a dog that is into abstract art, she pee's first then shits in the middle of it

Answer 9

My cat knows excactly what to do to get a snack from me

Answer 10

Definitely All three of the old cats, 14,18 & 22years od.

Answer 11

Yes.