“Of course cats are smarter than we are… otherwise we’d be the ones stuck at home on the sofa while they ran the household.”
But jokes aside, cat lovers often ask the big question: how smart are cats really? The truth is, feline intelligence is complex, fascinating, and sometimes a little puzzling. In this guide, we’ll explore cat intelligence from every angle: brain size, memory, problem-solving, emotional smarts, and even how they stack up against dogs.
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Contents
What does cat intelligence really mean?
Measuring cat intelligence isn’t straightforward. Dog behaviourists have it easy – dogs are eager to please and will fetch a ball or press a lever for a treat. Cats? Not so much.
If a cat refuses to take part in a test, is she less clever, or just clever enough to avoid wasting her energy? Many experts argue it’s the latter. Cats are solitary hunters, not pack animals. They conserve resources, avoid unnecessary risks, and don’t care about impressing us.
Yes, cats can learn and be trained, but only when they’re motivated. Find the irresistible treat or toy, and suddenly your “lazy” cat becomes a genius.
Cat brain size and structure
It’s tempting to judge intelligence by brain size, but that’s only part of the story. If we look at the physical mass of the brain relative to body weight, cats score as follows:
- Humans = 2%
- Dogs = 2%
- Cats = 0.9%
So on paper a cat’s brain is smaller than a dog’s, but brain structure matters more. The cerebral cortex, which handles decision-making, communication, and problem-solving, gives cats the edge. It contains twice the neurones (300 million) than the equivalent area in a dog. In other words, cats’ smaller brains are wired for sharp, flexible thinking – think of it like digital versus analogue.
Are all cats smart?
Cat intelligence is highly individual, because being “smart” is really about doing what you need to survive and thrive. We might call a cat clever if they can play the piano, but what about the cat who hunts their own dinner? In truth, our idea of a “genius cat” often says more about human perception than feline ability.
Some breeds, like Siamese and Bengals cats, are often labelled “highly intelligent” as they’re especially quick to learn. Age matters too: kittens pick things up fast, while senior cats may slow down a little but make up for it with experience. Personality plays its part, an adventurous cat shows intelligence through exploration, while a quieter cat shows it through careful observation. Both are equally smart in their own way.
Are cats smarter than dogs?
We often call a dog who does tricks clever. But what about survival?
- Could you leave your cat alone for the weekend with food, water and a litter box?
- How would your cat handle being accidentally shut outside for a few hours?
- Who gets into more trouble when left unsupervised: a cat or a dog?
Cats are generally more self-sufficient and adaptable, with the mental capacity to think on their paws when needed. Dogs may score higher on obedience, but in terms of survival smarts, cats have the upper hand.
Cat memory: smarter than you think
Memory or recalling information is a sign of intelligence in cats. Cats remember food locations, safe routes, favourite nap spots, and even emotional experiences. Some studies suggest cats have both short- and long-term memory, allowing them to recall for months or even years.
You can test how smart your cat is with this simple memory test:
- Hide a favourite treat under a cup while your cat watches.
- Then put your cat in another room.
- Bring them back – did they go to the right cup?
That’s not instinct – that’s memory at work.
Emotional intelligence in cats
Smartness isn’t just logic – it’s also about emotional IQ. Does your cat let you know when they want something or when they’re not happy? That’s a form of emotional intelligence, and it shows just how clever they really are. For example, a cat who uses one kind of meow to ask for a chin rub and a different one to ask for dinner is showing a smart and sophisticated way of communicating.
Fun ways to test how smart cats are
Curious about just how smart your cat really is? Try turning playtime into a mini IQ test with these activities:
- Puzzle feeders – Swap the food bowl for a puzzle toy and watch your cat figure out how to earn each bite. A great option is the Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree, or for a real challenge, try the Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Board.
- Hide and seek – Tuck treats or favourite toys around the house and let your cat track them down. The Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Feeder is perfect for hiding little “prey” mice filled with kibble.
- Clicker training – With a clicker and tasty rewards, you can teach tricks like “sit,” “spin,” or even a cheeky “high five.” Start with a Cat Training Clicker Kit and use irresistible treats like Inaba Churu Lickable Treats as motivation.
- Obstacle courses – Build a playground with tunnels, boxes, and climbing spots to encourage problem-solving on the move. A simple collapsible cat tunnel or a multi-level cat tree can turn your living room into a feline adventure zone.
Not only are these games fun, they also give your cat valuable mental exercise and help keep boredom at bay.
Problem-solving skills in cats
Another way to test cat intelligence is with problem-solving tasks. This time, try hiding your cat’s favourite toy behind a book or a piece of paper. Human children don’t usually master this kind of “seek and find” behaviour until they’re about 18 months old, so when your cat tracks down the toy, they’re showing intelligence on par with a toddler. In fact, many behaviourists agree that a cat’s brainpower roughly matches that of a two- to three-year-old child – just without the tantrums.
And really, that says it all. Cats aren’t interested in proving how smart they are; they already know. From their perspective, wasting energy just to impress us would be silly. Choosing not to play along might actually be the smartest move of all – a quiet kind of wisdom that, frankly, we humans could learn from.
Final thoughts
So, how smart is your cat? When it comes to cat intelligence, the answer depends on what you value most. A cat who plays the piano may wow us, but a cat who keeps herself safe, remembers routines, and adapts to new challenges is just as smart – if not smarter.
Cats are independent thinkers. They do what they want, when they want, and that may be the smartest strategy of all.
