I love cats, have 4 of them inside, and 2 ferals that show up on my back porch every night for dinner. However, there is a reason you never hear of a Working Group for cats lol. When you look at breeds like Aussies and Boarder Collies it’ staggering the difference in intelligence.
The thing I notice about cats, or at least all the cats I have been around, is that they cannot recognize verbal command and phrases outside of their name. For instance, I had an Aussie for a number of years and at the mention of the words “outside” or “Treat” they would react appropriately because they recognized those words. Cats don’t seen to do this HOWEVER cats are exceptional at recognizing sounds. I tried and failed to associate giving them treats with the word “Treat” prior to giving them out, but to no avail. But no matter how quietly I try to open the treat bag in the kitchen they come rushing from all corners of the house, even the basement.
Seems cats more prone to instinct rather than learned behavior.
I’ve noticed that too, but...
Two days ago, a 3-legged dog we adopted in 2011 died at the vets office in our town. Cause of death was complications (I think hemorrhage and shock) of a digestive blockage. The blockage was a particularly large quantity of blanket, carpet fibers, and stuffing. The idiot dog had a fetish for textiles and fibers and killed himself with it. Granted, he was probably the dumbest dog I ever owned, but I have NEVER owned a cat stupid enough to eat non-food items.
BTW, I am not particularly broken up about the dog dying; different story for my wife and daughter. :-(
Individual cats differ. I had one who was very emotion-driven. She was voluptuous and seductive, and would even become indignant if we laughed if she did something awkward like jumping, missing and falling, etc. But I had another who was very thinking-driven. She would actually tilt her head and move her eyes side to side when presented with a choice until she made her decision. We were able to train her to recognize around 65 words or phrases, and she demonstrated that she understood by her responses and reactions. She was so amazing that the neighbors made a condolence call when she died. I only wish I had a video cam back then (15 yrs ago).
My cats definitely know the word “treat” because I taught them. You’re right about hearing every little sound and knowing what it is too.
Cats can recognize voice commands.
They simply don’t care to respond.
I tell one of my cats to do something and they look at me like “what the hell do you want?”.
Cats will do things if there is a food reward for it. In other words, they don’t work for free.
CC
“The thing I notice about cats, or at least all the cats I have been around, is that they cannot recognize verbal command and phrases outside of their name.”
Our cat definitely responds to the word TUNA. Also banging a spoon against his chow dish produces the same result as a triangle at the chuckwagon. His vocabulary also includes: in, out, no, quiet, treats and probably some others. It’s all about food rewards and affection.
No, he’s not as obedient as a dog, but we’re working on it.
Excellent observations.
The way cats dig a hole, then defecate in to it, and then bury it, scooping dirt from both sides of the hole is intelligent but is not taught or learned. It’s pure instinct.
Uh, one of our cats DOES know the word “treat”....also knows the word “outside”....he loves to go into our back yard...under supervision. I have tried teaching him to “SIT” for his treats....that he does NOT seem to get.
We have six cats and have to spell in front of them in some cases.
Here's a word that all dogs seem to know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdGhT2ZuXO8