Are cats smart?

[WriterDom]

My cat knew right away that if an animal was outside and getting out of sight she'd run to another window. She refuses to hunt too even though she was a feral cat. I've seen her a foot away from a squirrel and she didn't attack it. Well, she's a indoor cat now. After two dogs killed a cat two doors down.

 

[JMohegan]

Nearly all of my observations of cats have been outdoors. I would describe them as very intelligent creatures. Extremely efficient hunters, employing patience, planning, and problem solving to get the job done.

About as smart as any other dumb animal.

Many animals are a lot smarter than humans would like to think. "Dumb animal" may be a handy excuse for the use and abuse of creatures we want to feed, clothe, and entertain us, but the appellation just doesn't line up with the facts.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

"Dumb animal" is defined as: "Any animal except man; - usually restricted to a domestic quadruped; - so called in contradistinction to man, who is a 'speaking animal.'" - Freedictionary.com

As for the original question: When was the last time you saw a cat cleaning up a human's excreta, or putting food in/on a dish for a human?

 

[neci]

No, she screams "I WANT SOME FUCKING TUNA!"

i wonder where she learned that from.....

 

[JMohegan]

"Dumb animal" is defined as: "Any animal except man; - usually restricted to a domestic quadruped; - so called in contradistinction to man, who is a 'speaking animal.'" - Freedictionary.com

Only an ill-informed or dumb (as in, stupid) human would assert that animals don't speak to one another.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Only an ill-informed or dumb (as in, stupid) human would assert that animals don't speak to one another.

Actually, they speak to us, too, if we bother to listen. Most domesticated (house) animals have extensive vocabularies in their own "language," and it's incumbent on us (the pet "owners") to learn to interpret what they're saying. All the animals I've ever been privileged to share a home with were quite expressive, and very consistent in their use of certain sounds (words/phrases?) to transmit their desires and needs to "their people."

 

[JMohegan]

Actually, they speak to us, too, if we bother to listen. Most domesticated (house) animals have extensive vocabularies in their own "language," and it's incumbent on us (the pet "owners") to learn to interpret what they're saying. All the animals I've ever been privileged to share a home with were quite expressive, and very consistent in their use of certain sounds (words/phrases?) to transmit their desires and needs to "their people."

Yes, absolutely.

And well-trained dogs understand many words of human language. Sit, stay, friend, danger, good, bad, yes, no, protect, baby, hot, fetch, drop, jump, run, walk, up, down, and so on.

 

[GoddessHathor]

Anybody else have one that likes to eat plastic bags from the store?

Not done reading the entire thread yet, but saw this and had to comment! We have two rescue cats...Gwen and Ninja...both female...both just under a year old. Both have obsessions with the plastic bags we bring home. Ninja rolls around in it and eventually falls asleep IN the bag. Gwen is the chewer. She stands on her butt, like a squirrel or a prairie dog, and holds it between her two front paws and shreds it to pieces. Funniest thing I've ever seen.

But I've seen it said a few times so far, some are smart, some are dumb. I've had 4 cats (all rescued) and 7 dogs (all rescued) in my life. There is no comparing the two. One cat was slightly retarded and used to do some pretty funny stuff...like run full-tilt into a wall for no reason other than it was there. Even had a guinea pig one time that knew the sound of the fridge opening, and would squeak like mad when he heard it, cuz that's where we kept her lettuce.

 

[Cattypuss]

Yes, absolutely.

And well-trained dogs understand many words of human language. Sit, stay, friend, danger, good, bad, yes, no, protect, baby, hot, fetch, drop, jump, run, walk, up, down, and so on.

A dog's primary language is body language. That's their main method of communication between each other - and consequently they are very attuned to human body language. Yes, my dog has a very large vocabulary of human words she understands (words that I have trained her to understand AND words that I kinda wish she didn't understand ), but her ability to read my facial expressions and unconscious body-language is more impressive.

 

[MrMentor7]

This is such an adorable thread. I think this is especially humorous given that we are on a BDSM board.

 

[sb2009]

the two I have right now are fucking stupid. And stupid in the "costs money" ways.

I have one super smart awesome wonderful cat for 14 years. I miss him!

 

[JMohegan]

A dog's primary language is body language. That's their main method of communication between each other - and consequently they are very attuned to human body language. Yes, my dog has a very large vocabulary of human words she understands (words that I have trained her to understand AND words that I kinda wish she didn't understand ), but her ability to read my facial expressions and unconscious body-language is more impressive.

Agreed.

This is such an adorable thread. I think this is especially humorous given that we are on a BDSM board.

Well normally I'd be out roping and branding, but at the moment I can't be bothered.

Are you a fan of the experienced D mentors the newbie D model? I don't think I've ever seen a Lit guy ID in this fashion.

 

[WriterDom]

My girl cat hasn't done it in a while but when she wants to wake me up she sticks a single claw into my head. Or back. Just one. It works too.

 

[MrMentor7]

...Are you a fan of the experienced D mentors the newbie D model? I don't think I've ever seen a Lit guy ID in this fashion.

No, I think of my approach to dominating as taking the mentor approach where I try to help my submissive improve or learn about themselves - and achieve pleasure along the way.

Q.E.D. I want a submissive that either has room to expand her horizons or has little sexual experience.

 

[Netzach]

Mine hate the closed door when I'm in the shower, I get out to them banging on the door.

My "smart" cat is bothered by the shower to no end.

"It's raining in there! WTH? Make it stop? Oh no, don't ...you're gonna...get it on you! And now you're shutting the door and I'm trying to warn you, you idiot!"

 

[GoddessHathor]

My "smart" cat is bothered by the shower to no end.

"It's raining in there! WTH? Make it stop? Oh no, don't ...you're gonna...get it on you! And now you're shutting the door and I'm trying to warn you, you idiot!"

LMAO! On the other hand, my oh-so-intelligent cat stands under the dripping faucet when I'm done, trying to catch the drips, but they keep going up her nose, causing a 10 minute long sneezing fit...after which she goes right back to trying to catch the drips.

 

[Keroin]

Many animals are a lot smarter than humans would like to think. "Dumb animal" may be a handy excuse for the use and abuse of creatures we want to feed, clothe, and entertain us, but the appellation just doesn't line up with the facts.

I read this National Geographic Article on animal intelligence, in print, when it first came out. Eye opening stuff. (Of course, I wasn't thrilled about the whole "captivity" thing).

 

[Netzach]

"Dumb animal" is defined as: "Any animal except man; - usually restricted to a domestic quadruped; - so called in contradistinction to man, who is a 'speaking animal.'" - Freedictionary.com

As for the original question: When was the last time you saw a cat cleaning up a human's excreta, or putting food in/on a dish for a human?

He brings me toy mice and if they were real I'm sure he would be leaving me "presents". It's been posited that they think we're really pathetic ineffectual cats, their kittens, if you will, and so they're trying to feed us.

 

[Cattypuss]

I read this National Geographic Article on animal intelligence, in print, when it first came out. Eye opening stuff. (Of course, I wasn't thrilled about the whole "captivity" thing).

I read in in print when it first came out too. I am still a bit haunted by the sadness of the parrot.

 

[WriterDom]

I heard my cat making a very odd sound I had never heard. Walked in the room and she had a mouse in her mouth. She walked up to me and dropped it at my feet. Here you go, Daddy. Then I trapped two with those gross sticky pads and I think I got them all.

 

[Netzach]

I read this National Geographic Article on animal intelligence, in print, when it first came out. Eye opening stuff. (Of course, I wasn't thrilled about the whole "captivity" thing).

New Caledonian crows do the tool thing as extensively as primates if not more. I really think birds are where it's at if you're looking for animal intelligence, as much as the usual suspects, monkey and dolphin.

I actually learned about Alex from a CBC spot, it was utterly fascinating.

Alex's life was already pretty shot and circumscribed, he was in a pet store. While not ideal, I like to think at least his mind wasn't going to house pet polly want a cracker mush.

 

[ownedsubgal]

He brings me toy mice and if they were real I'm sure he would be leaving me "presents". It's been posited that they think we're really pathetic ineffectual cats, their kittens, if you will, and so they're trying to feed us.

Scooter hunts but never brings me jack. instead she surveys the landscape warily, growls, hunkers down and eats the poor little thing on site. like i said, she has weight issues. i have also noticed that she doesn't necessarily wait til something is actually dead, before burying her face in its guts.

 

[Netzach]

http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html

I also like cockroaches. Not that I want to live with them, but they're kind of cool.

 

[JMohegan]

No, I think of my approach to dominating as taking the mentor approach where I try to help my submissive improve or learn about themselves - and achieve pleasure along the way.

Q.E.D. I want a submissive that either has room to expand her horizons or has little sexual experience.

Ah, okay. Good luck with your search.

I read this National Geographic Article on animal intelligence, in print, when it first came out. Eye opening stuff. (Of course, I wasn't thrilled about the whole "captivity" thing).

Yeah, I prefer the Goodall method of research too.

Speaking of which, in case you haven't seen it, here's a wonderful underwater clip.

I read in in print when it first came out too. I am still a bit haunted by the sadness of the parrot.

"Wanna go tree." You've gotta have a heart of fucking stone not to be moved by that.

(Although, as Netzach says, at least his life was better than that of the average bird in the dusty corner of some prick's living room.)

 

[JMohegan]

http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html

I also like cockroaches. Not that I want to live with them, but they're kind of cool.

Jesus. The hook at 3:30 is astounding.

What is it about cockroaches that you find intriguing?