Are cats the least intelligent of of all domestic animals?

Question

Dogs can learn to protect people, detects bombs and drugs, rescue people, lead the blind and help people with disabilities.

Cats basically just take up space and rot. I once heard of a cat trained to use the toilet LMAO. If you took care of a cat of 10 years, sheltered it, loved it but fed it foodlion cat food and your neighbor started putting out Purina, you would no longer have a cat.

besides fish is there a domestic animal less intelligent tha a cat?

Answer 1

Hi there...intelligence is a relative term to the species of the animal as ALL animals have the capacity to learn. Two primary factors will influence accuracy in the interpretation of any test for animal intelligence -- an understanding of the animal's natural history and an understanding of the limits of the test. An animal will naturally show an aptitude for a concept it needs or uses regularly in the wild.

As an animal trainer we discover while we are educated that intelligence has very little to do with how trainable an animal is. Yet, as humans, the subject of intelligence continues to fascinate us.

So both dogs and cats are trainable and neither are more intelligent than one another they are different in their abilities based on their natural behaviours.

I could go on and on with the scientific aspect and the anthropomorphic aspects which are the biggest reason for the dispute.

As an 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. Some cats are specifically trained to warn their masters they are going to have a seizure so that individual can get help "before" that occurs. Here's a video of someone who has taught her house cat a couple handful of tricks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcoYqlAjRk

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

It's useless to compare a herd animal to a solitary species. About as useless to compare a pack animal (dog) to one who doesn't work or live in a pack.

You're talking about two distinctly different species who evolved along completely different lines.

Cats are intelligent. They don't do mazes or other intelligence tests well because ALL those are geared towards testing pack or herd mentality, or getting a reward for doing something to please humans. That only works with certain species.

To be a predator requires a thinking brain and knowing cause and effect, knowing the habits of the prey, knowing territory limits. They're as intelligent as dogs. But not to humans who limit their thinking to pack and herd animals.

Answer 3

That depends...are you a domesticated animal? If yes..than no..cats are NOT the least intelligent. Hope you are intelligent enough to "get" this!

Answer 4

That depends on the particular animal. My Siamese mix is the cleverest furry beast I've met, while my dog is dumb as a rock. But I've also met some really smart dogs and some dumb cats, so I don't think this question has a real answer

Answer 5

Excuse me, I am not even a cat person, I love dogs, but all life is special and has meaning. And NO they are actually considered one of the most intelligent! They are very independent and can think for themslves, they dont even need potty trained! Maybe the only one taking up space is inconsiderent peopl that dont respect the fact that all life has meaning and has a job and place on this earth!

Answer 6

Every animal has intelligence. it only takes an intelligent human being to recognize it.

I have a cat that I taught to "Sit...Stay", I had a goldfish that would swim into my hands so I could clean his aquarium. I have a parrot that I taught to whisper. (A variety that is not supposed to talk) and he will say, "Thank you" when I give him a treat.

This is your second question that speaks badly about cats.

What is your problem?

Answer 7

You are comparing a cat to a fish?!?!?!

Do you have any basis for your rant? Have you ever owned a cat? I have 3 very smart cats. I have also owned several dogs.

Dogs are smelly, and they take up too much valuable time.

Cats are there for you to hold pet and understand you better than any dog could. My cats have been wonderful companions through the years.

Answer 8

i'd say most cats are more intelligent than most humans...we make such an issue of intelligence and then go out and do all we can to destroy our planet and die...now that is not very intelligent, i'd say...get a little respect for other life and you might learn something.

Answer 9

Come watch my cat turn on the sink sometime...and then tell me this animal isn't intelligent

Answer 10

First of all purina is junk just to point out. My cat eats holistic cat food called Innova. ANYHOW. although cats don't have as many uses as dogs, this does not make them unintelligent.