Based on several studies, behaviorists believe an adult cat’s intelligence is comparable to that of a 2-year-old human toddler. Studies have shown cats have object permanence recognition, an awareness of objects that aren’t directly visible. That is, out of sight doesn’t mean vanished forever.
Just How Smart Are Cats?
Cats are excellent at learning new information and are also able to integrate it with previously learned information, recall it when necessary, and apply it to the current situation, so if you think your cat is too smart for his own good, you’re probably right.
Although we are aware of cats’ high level of intelligence, we might never fully understand their cognitive potential. This is due to the fact that cats are infamously erratic and uncooperative in research. It’s obvious that cats are very good at learning and reasoning for themselves!
Cat Intelligence vs Human Intelligence
The brain of an A%20cat%E2%80%99 is only about two inches in size and weighs about an ounce, making up less than 1% of its body mass. Although the brain is the seat of intelligence, intelligence is determined by the structure and surface folding of the brain rather than by the size of the brain itself.
And it turns out that a felines surface folding and brain structure are 90% similar to that of the human brain. Much like the human brain, each part of the cat brain is compartmentalized, specialized, and connected to the other parts of its brain. This gives cats an almost human-like ability to understand, respond to, and even manipulate their surroundings.
That being said, the cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that controls rational thinking and decision-making. In the human brain, the cerebral cortex contains around 21 – 26 billion neurons, while a cat’s cerebral cortex has about 300 million neurons. Experts believe that a feline’s intelligence is comparable to that of a 2-year-old human.
How Does a Cat’s Brain Work?
The cerebral cortex controls higher order cognitive processes in humans and cats, including reasoning, short- and long-term memory, and problem-solving abilities. Information from previous experiences is stored in memories and can be recalled later.
There is evidence that cats can recall and use information from their memories. They can also learn through observation and doing and it’s not uncommon for a cat to learn how to ring a bell, turn on a light switch, or even open a door simply by watching their human companions.
Cats excel at procedural and spatial memory and are known to retain their memories for 10 years or more. What’s even more fascinating is that cats can associate individual memories of places or events with the emotions they experienced at that time. They can remember experiencing fear, pain, or trauma, as well as positive emotions like happiness or contentment.
Studies also show that cats are aware of objects that aren’t directly visible to them. They understand that something that’s out of sight isn’t necessarily gone forever. This ability is called object permanence recognition.
Cats have excellent long-term and short-term memory, as well as perfect vision. Put another way, when you’re packing a suitcase, your cat is actually giving you the evil eye. He observes your actions and recalls the last time you removed the suitcase. He feels very displeased that you were absent for an extended period of time!
FAQ
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