All cat owners love their pets, and therefore endow them with intelligence and ingenuity. Nevertheless, experts distinguish the breeds that are most successfully trained in teams and especially finely feel their owners. There are other features that characterize the feline mind: dexterity, cunning, reaction to the words of a person, the ability not to annoy the household when they are busy with their business. Given all these outstanding abilities, connoisseurs of cats identified the most intelligent breeds. Below we will talk about the most intellectually developed cats in the world and what needs to be done to develop the potential of its Murka.
Signs of intelligence
People who have never kept purrs at home consider them to be stupid and useless creatures who cannot be trained or at least taught the rules of good form. What to do, they walk by themselves and decide how to behave. But these statements are nothing more than stereotypes. Fans of cats can bring many arguments in favor of their pets, confirming that they have a mind and other positive qualities.
In fact, a cat, like any predator, simply would not have survived, being stupid. After all, these animals have long had to track down prey, calculate moves for a more successful attack and be patient in ambush. The brain helped them determine the best places for stalking birds or rodents.
Cats have always had to run away from larger animals that could harm them, and for this you need to show considerable cunning and skill.
In addition, these animals at all times had to demonstrate considerable resourcefulness in order to win the love of man, because, apart from the fight against rodents, they did not carry any practical benefits. Purrs know how to fascinate people, attract their attention and attract them. Sometimes you may get the impression that they outplay - so theatrically these cats “make eyes” or fawn in order to get theirs. There is a saying: “It is not known who has tamed anyone else — whether I am a cat or she is me,” and it has real soil.
How to determine the level of development?
The curiosity of these animals allows them to acquire all new skills even in the conditions of an apartment. So, watching the owner, the cat can repeat some actions behind it. For example, opening doors, refrigerators or closets with a paw, watching TV, doing dance moves, going to the toilet, and even flushing with you.
If the owner is especially patient and begins to devote enough time to learning the four-legged pet, she will be able to pull objects in her teeth or execute commands, thereby bringing real benefits.
Not everyone is aware of the fact that there are IQ tests for baleen smart girls that allow you to evaluate their mental abilities. They have tasks - both for cats and their owners. However, it is difficult to say how objective the results of these “studies” are, since the tasks in them are very simple.
In any case, you can try to pass a similar test to have fun with your adorable cat.
Making conclusions about the mind of cats, in any case, do not compare them with dogs. They are less amenable to training, they need more repetitions of the same exercises or tricks than dogs. But this happens not because of a lack of intelligence, but for other reasons: because of the natural love of freedom, lack of motivation. In fact, they fully understand what they want from them, they simply do not consider it necessary to do it.
By the way, the allegations that cats are smarter than cats are not confirmed by scientists. Their observations suggest that this parameter does not affect the ability to learn. This quality may depend on the individual abilities of the individual, on the breed, but not on sexual characteristics.
Consider the criteria to judge the mental abilities of your four-legged girlfriend or friend. Here are the main indicators of cat intelligence:
- ability to get used to the tray;
- response to your nickname;
- the ability to comply with the rules established in the house;
- the ability to establish contact with the person;
- non-aggressiveness.
Smart breed rating
It is believed that the cats of the ancient breeds are more intelligent, who in the course of a century of history have acquired many skills of survival and communication with a person. As a rule, these are Asian and other Oriental breeds. But it is believed that young breeds are able to demonstrate remarkable abilities. Different experts give different assessments of the intelligence of one breed or another, so it is very difficult to make a clear rating of the most intelligent Murok.
We list the cats that most often enter the tops of the most intelligent by the presence of their various abilities.
Canadian Sphynx
This breed is only a few decades old, but people have already appreciated the merits of these cats. Hairless cats, from which they are descended, have been known since the days of ancient Egypt, perhaps, therefore, they tend to be wise. Sphynx owners say that these purrs behave very friendly, catch the mood of the household perfectly and are able to get along with dogs. With all their focus on man they love independence, quickly memorize what a tray is needed for and carefully use it, learn simple commands and rules of behavior in the house.
They should be careful in their statements and not scold without a substantial reason. They, of course, do not distinguish all the words, but they understand the intonation perfectly well - if the cat is not scolded for a case, it will be very upset, it may fall into a blues and lose appetite.
Siamese cat
Blue-eyed beauties with a cream or almost white fur coat and a dark mask on their face are not at all like sphinxes: they like to show character and sometimes aggression, but, nevertheless, they are also often included among the most intelligent cats. Dexterous and cunning hunters love to track down prey, they can be trained in tricks, most importantly, be patient and engage with the animal regularly, otherwise it will relax and begin to show its freedom-loving nature.
They can memorize offenses, so if the owner of such a Murka wants to find a true friend in her face, he should treat her with respect and not allow unjust punishments.
Oriental
This close relative of a Siamese cat is also valued for her exceptional mental abilities. Orientals gained fame of biotherapists and telepaths who very subtly capture the mood of the host and almost read his mind. Animals of this breed are often introverts, they gradually get used to their master, but build up a really close relationship with him and become loyal friends.
The main thing - to earn the trust of this cat and not to betray her.
Abyssinian
This breed is known for several thousand years. Very easy to learn, able to bring toys and things at the request of the owner. Because of his heightened curiosity, he tries to participate in all household chores. May remember a lot of master words and sentences, responds well to commands.
These purrs are kind to all who inhabit their home, adore the company of people and other pets. Usually they are not afraid of dogs and may even begin to dominate them. Such a mustached and energetic clever can not be called a decoration of the sofa - it will run like a zipper through your home and participate in all family matters.
Norwegian Forest
From the wild forest ancestors she got to become, endurance and intelligence, which allowed the animal to get its food. Large and strong, she has a completely livable character, is able to be patient if the owner is not at home for a long time and does not spend this time in anguish. Such a cat will find entertainment for itself, play with any objects that you catch your eye or just rush around the rooms in a fun way. When the household is very busy or tired, and can not pay attention to the Norwegian cat, she will not bother - the intrusiveness is alien to her.
Only it is not necessary to depict a violent activity, in order to get rid of it, the cat recognizes cunning and will look expectantly at the owner who tried to deceive her.
Maine Coon
Small “lynxes” have huge size and weight under 12 kg, however, they do not use their physical superiority unnecessarily, never offend children or smaller animals. Cats of this breed are happy to accept the rules set by the owner of the house. Maine Coon is trying to make friends with the whole family and become the universal favorite. They are not typical of the typical dirty tricks of the cat: they do not want to steal a tasty morsel from the table, ruin the furniture, or go to the toilet in the wrong place.
Animals are self-confident and love to walk on a leash, like dogs.
Munchkin
Despite the fact that their paws are shorter than usual, the munchkins are quite mobile and playful. The owners of these babies say that they rarely give a voice, so they do not have to listen to endless meows. Also, these short-footed cats remember well where certain objects lie, like to find them and hide them.. Contact and kind, they love to communicate with the owners, including children.
Cats like when they are literally carried in their arms, and they resemble children in it.
Bengal
Bengalis are inborn hunters, and they strive to play active, active games, however, you should not worry about children - they do not offend them, they can even protect them. In caring hands, they grow very affectionate, and enthusiastically demonstrate their love. If time has been lost, and due to circumstances a cat has grown up with a lack of communication with a person, it may run wild a little. Then contact with people will not be so desirable for her.
The owners of Bengals celebrate their love of freedom and the presence of self-esteem among these beautiful animals. They do not allow to treat themselves badly.
The lively temperament of the "leopards" allows them to study well.
Siberian
Some owners say that these animals have a guard instinct. There are cases when they called for help from their parents if their child was in danger or was awakened by the owners in a fire. They have a wonderful memory, they quickly remember their names and simple commands. If necessary, Siberians show a remarkable trick: they find the hidden, discover the shortest paths, return home, being at a distance of kilometers from their nest.
British
It is believed that the British inherited from their nation a distant and cold temper. This is expressed in the fact that purrs do not like familiarity, protest when they touch their things, allowing it except to their beloved master. They become attached to their man and may even lose weight due to a long separation from him. Peace-loving, calm, balanced British love the attention of households. They do not stoop to stealing food from the table, and with dignity accept the host’s requirements for home behavior.
With all the apparent alienation of the British can not be called cold in the manifestation of feelings, they just show them not all, but only the closest people.
Recommendations for education
As you know, the brain works worse without constant training. He, like muscles, needs regular workouts. This means that you need to be patient and constantly repeat classes, even if they seem monotonous to you.
Trying to develop the mental abilities of a cat, do not compare it with a dog. If a dog can be trained on a certain universal scheme, which has long been tested and tested on numerous animals, then cats are more inclined to show their character and need an individual approach.
We will have to build our own system of studies, which can be based only on other people's work.
Pay attention to how the cat likes to play, spend time. Suppose she does not perform cunning tricks, which can boast to the guests, but she certainly has her own interesting inclinations. For example, some cats love to carry various objects in their teeth, others - to jump over obstacles. On the basis of such nuances, think up the first tricks that she will need to master. Take it for what it is, adopt its unique features, and it will show you what it can do.
The optimal age for training a cat is a period of 3-4 months.. At this time, the animal is already well aware of what man wants to achieve from it. For the benefit is the factor that at this stage of development the animal has not yet acquired individual habits and is a “clean sheet”. This means that it will be easier to work with him, and you do not have to change the established character of your pet.
Determine which product your Murka loves the most. This could be some sort of meat, fish, seafood, feed brand, dairy products, etc.
The chosen delicacy will be a positive reinforcement and an incentive prize for successfully completed tasks.
Examine the cat's day regimen, determine at what time it exhibits the most physical activity. In some individuals the peak of activity occurs in the morning or afternoon hours, in others - in the evening. Most often for training choose the first half of the day, when the cat is full of strength and energy. You also need to roughly track the time she spends on games.
For higher learning outcomes, follow the tips below:
- work with her in a relaxed atmosphere, when nothing distracts and unnerves her;
- do not be rude and do not force to do something to which it is not located at all;
- speak in a good, calm tone, regularly repeating commands, and do not forget to take breaks for better assimilation of information;
- train the animal in a playful way.
To summarize, let's say the following: to unleash the intellectual potential of the cat, you must be engaged with it. Regular exercise is able to “pump” her brain, just as physical exercise helps to develop the body. Otherwise, even a representative of the smartest, according to experts, the breed will not show you their mental abilities and will become an ordinary lazy person who wakes up only to eat and watch the life of the household.
Each owner has his own criteria for assessing the mind of a cat. For many, they simply do not matter, since everything that the beloved Murka does is beautiful and ingenious. If you want the animal to develop and learn with you, then, choosing the representatives of the breeds mentioned in the article, your chances of success will be higher. Engage with your favorite regularly, and she will surely delight you with her achievements.
The most intelligent cat breeds are described in detail in the video below.
