Last Updated: 10/06/2025
How Smart are Cats?
Learn our more about how smart cats really are in this vet written article!
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Cats, our mysterious companions, bring a blend of independence, playfulness and mischief to our homes. From their elegant moves to their enigmatic stares, cats exude an intelligence that for centuries has sparked our curiosity.
Defining a how smart a cat is involves understanding their unique social dynamics, learning capacity and problem-solving skills that complement their specific needs and instincts.
Recognising and cherishing these distinctive feline attributes deepens our understanding of the remarkable ways in which cats showcase their unique intelligence.
Indicators of Feline Intelligence
1. Problem solving prowess
Cats are natural problem solvers, each with their own individual approach. Unlike dogs, whose problem-solving skills often align with tasks assigned by humans, cats tend to apply their intelligence to situations that suit their preferences. For instance, a cat might figure out how to open a door to access a sunny spot or open a cupboard to get food.
Cats solve problems through trial and error. In a feline behaviour study, a group of cats were presented with puzzle-solving tasks. While their problem-solving styles varied widely, a significant number demonstrated an ability to decipher challenges within a short time frame. This highlights not only their individual problem-solving skills but also their adaptability to novel situations.
Cats have a sense of object permanence meaning that if they can not see an object or an object is hidden, then they know it hasn't disappeared completely. This is a concept that even small children do not understand.
These natural problem-solving skills highlight the importance of providing avenues for mental stimulation in cats, especially those indoors. Puzzle and interactive toys enrich cats' lives, engaging their minds and satisfying their innate curiosity. Keeping your cat mentally stimulated can decrease the incidence of unwanted problem behaviours that can occur with boredom, such as scratching furniture or aggression.
Top recommended puzzle toys for cats
2. Socially Savvy
Cats, frequently characterised as more independent when compared to dogs, possess a unique social intelligence. They are experts in reading human body language and are sensitive to changes in their owner's mood. A recent study has shown that cats are able to recognise human emotion though a combination of auditory processing and reading facial expressions.
This social intelligence plays a role in the deep connections they form with their owners, with cats often expressing their understanding through calming behaviours, such as purring or kneading. In these quiet interactions, cats reveal the depth of their emotional intelligence, showcasing a subtle and refined way of expressing empathy and forming lasting bonds with their human counterparts.
3. Language and Communication
Cats communicate through a sophisticated system of vocalisations, body language, and scent marking.
Our feline friends can understand and distinguish specific words based on the tone, intonation, and context in which they are spoken. They have an impressive ability to understand words, particularly when associated with actions or routines. From the familiar call of their name to words associated with routines, such as "food" or "play," cats exhibit an impressive ability to link certain sounds with corresponding actions or events. The average cat is believed to understand between 25-35 human words.
Hunger for words: Talking pet starter set
Why not test your cat's ability to communicate through words using the Hunger For Words Talking Pet Starter Kit.
Designed to be easy-to-use for both you and your pet, this starter kit guides you on how to seamlessly teach your cat how to speak and let you know what they're feeling.
This product comes with four speech buttons, which you can record simple words, offering your pet a vocabulary such as treat, play, food or cuddle.
4. Learning and Training
Despite popular belief, cats can be trained and learn tricks! That said, training a cat requires a different approach than training a dog.
Cats can learn various commands and tricks, but they may not exhibit the same eagerness to please as dogs. Positive reinforcement, patience, high reward treats and understanding their motivations are key to successful feline training
Want to teach your cat some tricks? Read our articles Teach your cat to sit or Teach your cat to walk on a lead.
Which cat breeds are the smartest?
There are certain cat breeds that are known to be naturals when it comes to training. These include:
- Abyssinian
- American Shorthair
- Bengal
- Japanese Bobtail
- Maine Coon
Recommended cat training supplies
5. Memory Mastery
Cats possess impressive memory skills, both short and long term, particularly concerning associative learning. Associative learning refers to the process by which cats make connections between different stimuli and events in their environment. For example, if an owner gives food whenever their cat "meows" in the kitchen, the cat quickly learns that "meowing" at their owner in that location has the positive outcome of being given food. They will remember this and will continue the behaviour for the desired outcome-often whether they are hungry or not!
Cats can remember routines, locations of favourite spots, and the sounds associated with specific activities. This memory capacity contributes to their ability to navigate their environment and anticipate events.
Cats have an uncanny ability to "find their way home", a skill that has baffled scientists. This "homing instinct" is believed to be attributed to a combination of their excellent sense of smell, recognising landmarks and the Earth's magnetic field. Howie a much loved persian cat, travelled over 1800kms from the Gold Coast to South Australia to return to his family after being sent to stay with friends while they were on holidays. This 12 month journey showcases this extraordinary homing instinct, as he navigated his way back to his owners with unwavering determination.
Cat IQ test
Testing a cat's IQ involves creating engaging challenges that align with their natural instincts. While not as standardised as dog IQ tests, you can design a simple DIY cat IQ test at home.
Materials Needed:
- Treats or favourite Toy: Choose items your cat loves and is motivated to work for
- Puzzle feeder or interactive toy: Encourage problem-solving and mental stimulation
- Laser pointer and Teaser toy: Engage your cat in interactive play
Remember!
The goal is to have fun and engage with your cat. Each cat is unique, so tailor the activities to your cat's abilities and preferences. Celebrate their successes, and don't forget to shower them with praise and treats during and after the tests!
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed Mar 27 2025
Edited by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
