Robert Zhao 
The intelligence of cats is always a puzzling topic. Many IQ tests that work well on dogs and primates don't seem to work with cats. Regardless of whether they're smart or not, cats either ignore the tests or just lie flat...
Defining a cat's intelligence is still challenging. However, if your cat shows the following "misbehaviors," it might actually be quite clever:
**1. Learning to Open Kitchen and Cabinet Doors**
Some cats will simply nudge their owner when they're hungry, but smarter cats have learned to open kitchen doors, cabinets, and even twist off lids through observation.
A 2017 study published in Nature suggested that cats, before 14 weeks of age, primarily learn survival skills by imitating their mothers. Another study from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary showed that cats' ability to learn by imitation can last a lifetime (though the desire to learn decreases with age). Therefore, a cat that can open doors and cabinets is displaying strong learning ability.
**2. Being Picky Eaters**
Some cats are so picky that they won't touch food they don't like, which can even lead to hepatic lipidosis. But smart cats will leave some room for compromise; they might beg for treats before bedtime but will eat their cat food if there's no other option when the owner goes to bed.
Cat picky eating is often a self-protective behavior. If they are unsure something is edible or if they think the food smells off, they may refuse to eat it to avoid food poisoning. Of course, some cats will give in and eat their cat food when they realize there are no other better options left.
**3. Hiding When You Take Out the Carrier**
Does your cat look up when you take out the carrier or hide immediately, refusing to come out? Or run away but return if you offer food? The latter two behaviors indicate strong associative memory, suggesting higher intelligence. In a cat's world: taking out the carrier means they’ll go outside, possibly to the vet or some other uncomfortable place. This shows logical thinking and strong survival skills.
**4. Biting You During Petting**
How does your cat express its needs while being petted? Does it quietly walk away when it's had enough, or does it bite you to signal "continue" or "stop"? Light biting to remind you of something not only shows that the cat has a mind of its own but is also a common way for senior cats to instruct kittens. If your cat lightly bites you when hungry, wanting to play, or wanting to stop interacting, it sees itself as the boss, kindly reminding you what to do next.
**5. Ambushing You During Hide and Seek**
If you suddenly disappear from your cat's view, most cats will be indifferent or puzzled, staying in place. But smart cats will show signs of anxiety and repeatedly search for you where you vanished.
Smart cats exhibit these behaviors because they understand that things should exist even when hidden. Researchers from the University of Quebec discovered in 1992 that cats could predict the movement of an object even after it was hidden, demonstrating an intelligence equivalent to that of a 2-year-old human.
**6. Attacking the Camera When You Talk to Them**
What does your cat do when you speak to it through a camera?
If it looks confusedly at the camera or attempts to "attack" it, reacting with what seems like destructive behavior, it indicates the cat's intelligence. A 2021 study from Kyoto University found that when a cat's owner appeared in front of them but the owner's voice played from behind, over 90% of cats showed signs of confusion or fear. This means cats are startled when the same voice appears to teleport to different places. So if your cat gets confused or scared, it actually shows that it's quite intelligent.
**7. Blocking Your Screen When You're Working**
What does your cat do when you're working or playing on your computer? Lower-level cats might be fascinated by the cursor or screen movements, but higher-level cats will block the screen just to get your attention.
Behaviorists speculate that whether a cat is attracted to screen movements is related to its intelligence, experience, personality, and age. Very smart cats might be indifferent to these on-screen distractions. Instead, if a cat tries to block your vision to attract your attention, it's a sign of intelligence.
In conclusion, does your cat seem pretty smart? Actually, not only are humans worried about the intelligence of cats, but cats are also striving to make us smarter! Research from Tokyo University of Agriculture found that the mysterious personalities and behaviors of cats, when played with, increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex of their owners' brains, stimulating rapid brain function, enhancing problem-solving skills, and improving empathy. So it's hard to say: are cats truly uncooperative, or are they pretending to be disobedient to make us smarter? 😺
