Cats are among some of the most intelligent animals on the planet, despite what some people may think about felines. how else could you explain this cat, who plays a tiny piano to let his owners know it’s time to eat? Or this cat who somehow called 911 when his disabled owner needed emergency services?
They may be considered untrainable, but some cats’ level of intelligence and ability sounds high on the IQ meter. cats in general have a brain structure that resembles that of the most intelligent animals in the ecosystem, including humans. in fact, a cat’s cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that handles rational decision-making and complex problem-solving, has about 300 million neurons, according to current psychology. Dogs, one of the most intelligent animals with the highest number of neurons, have about 429 million neurons in the cerebral cortex, according to the scientific journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy.
Just like any animal species, there are some breeds of cats that are more intelligent than others. we’ve put together a list of the 11 smartest cats of all time.
1. abyssinian
-small to medium size
-women usually weigh between six and eight pounds
-males usually weigh between seven and 10 pounds
-coat: medium hair length; shades of reddish, red, fawn and blue
-lifespan: 9 to 15 years
The story behind its origin is a bit hazy. Some believe that Abyssinian cats were the “sacred cat of the Egyptian pharaohs,” while others believe that the breed was created in Britain when silver and brown tabbies with “marked” fur were mated, according to Purina.
regardless of where they come from, Abyssinian cats are known as the most intelligent cat breed due to their inquisitive nature and top-notch detective skills. They are incredibly independent and enjoy mind-stimulating activities like puzzle toys. Nosy by nature, Abyssinian cats tend to slow down when they want their owners’ affection. They are generally kid-friendly and easy to get along with other animals, including dogs and large birds.
2. siamese
-medium size
-females usually weigh eight to 12 pounds
-males usually weigh between 11 and 15 pounds
-coat: short hair; shades of seal point, chocolate point, blue point and lilac point
-lifespan: 11 to 15 years
The Siamese cat is believed to have originated in Siam, now known as Thailand, in the 19th century, although it did not receive recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association until 1934.
The Siamese cat is known to be particularly talkative and enjoys socializing. However, they do have a penchant for mischief, which is partly due to their curiosity and natural desire to occupy their minds, according to Purina. Siamese cats are very active and prefer to be in the company of others, making them a good breed for someone with multiple cats.
3. burmese
-medium size
-women typically weigh six to 10 pounds
-males usually weigh eight to 12 pounds
-coat: short hair; shades of sable, champagne, platinum and blue
-lifespan: 10 to 16 years
believed to be a hybrid of a Siamese cat and a Burmese cat, the first Burmese cat to come to the US. uu. was brought by dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930, according to Purina.
Burmese cats are reputed to be very energetic and active like a dog. they like to play games that keep their compact bodies moving as well as toys and games that challenge their intelligence. Although just as sociable as Siamese cats, Burmese kittens are softer-toned and even sweeter-tempered. they enjoy snuggling as much as they like to investigate things that catch their attention.
4. singapore
-small -females typically five to six pounds -males typically six to eight pounds -coat: short hair; cuttlefish -lifespan: 11 to 15 years
as the name suggests, singapore comes from singapore. first came to the usa uu. in the 1980s.
Although one of the smallest cats in the world, the Singaporean is considered a high-energy pet. Often referred to as “little love lions,” Singaporeans have a very playful temperament and are “very observant,” according to Purina. Incredibly outgoing, these cats thrive on attention and can be very social. however, they are known to dislike loud noises, so they may not be best suited for busy households.
5. sparkler
-medium to large size
-females usually weigh from six to 12 pounds
-males usually weigh between 10 and 18 pounds
-coat: medium hair length; shades of bright orange, light brown, often with dark spots or mottled pattern
-lifespan: 12 to 16 years
Bengals emerged in 1963 after California breeder Jean Mill first crossed a domestic cat with a wild Asian leopard cat, according to Purina.
These natural athletes enjoy climbing and jumping, so you can count on them to find an indoor adventure to take part in. The breed is also trainable and may even be comfortable walking outside on a leash if the owner takes the time to train it. Bengals are highly alert and social cats, and while they generally have a playful personality, they’re prone to developing destructive habits, such as turning lights on and off, if they get restless, according to experts at cattime.com. learning tricks is easy for Bengalis and they particularly enjoy a game of fetch and splash in the water.
6. cornish rex
-small to medium size
-women typically weigh five to seven pounds
-males usually weigh six to nine pounds
-coat: short hair with fine curls; variety of shades including white, cream, chocolate, black, lavender, silver, smoke, blue, red, and tabby
short hair with fine curls
-lifespan: 10 to 16 years
cornish rex arose after a british shorthair cat gave birth to a kitten with a genetic mutation in the cornish region of the uk. In the 1950s, the cat’s owner, Nina Ennisomore, raised the curly-haired cat with her mother, and the Cornish Rex was born. the cat first came to the usa uu. in 1957, according to spruce pets.
This breed of cat has an unforgettable personality. Although Cornish Rexes have a calm and laid-back temperament, they score high on friendliness, playfulness, and loyalty. They enjoy physical exercise, so you’ll often catch them running, jumping, and climbing. They aren’t the most vocal cats, but they do enjoy being in the middle of all the action, making them ideal for large families and households with children.
7. Scottish fold
-medium size -females usually weigh 6 to 9 pounds -males usually weigh 9 to 13 pounds -coat: long hair; variety of shades including white, black, blue, red, cream and silver -lifespan: 11 to 15 years
Scottish folds, which originate from the Tayside region of Scotland, have been around since the 1960s. However, they didn’t make it to the US. uu. until the 1970s, according to purina.
Lop-eared cats are friendly and outgoing and especially enjoy playing puzzles and games that force them to think outside the box. they are attention seekers and have no qualms about letting them know when they need some interaction with their humans. in fact, they prefer to spend most of their time with their owners and people rather than other cats and animals.
8. heart
-medium size
-women typically weigh six to eight pounds
-males usually weigh eight to 10 pounds
-coat: short-haired; shades of white and silver
-useful life: 10 to 15 years
The korat cat is native to thailand and has long been considered a symbol of good fortune, according to purina. Although it is still a relatively rare breed to find in the US. USA, arrived in North America in the 1960s.
This breed of cat is known to be loyal to its owners and super affectionate. Although Korats can be friendly, they have to get used to new people and new places before they feel comfortable enough to show their true selves in unfamiliar surroundings. the korat is a cautious cat, and does not like sudden and loud noises. and is also known to be very alert and observant and is believed to have higher senses such as hearing, sight, and smell.
9. turkish van
-medium to large size
-women typically weigh between seven and 12 pounds
-males typically weigh from nine to 20 pounds
-coat: semi-long hair; shades of red, cream, black, blue, brindle, tortoiseshell, and brown patch
The Turkish Van is a rare cat that is native to Central and Southeast Asia, according to Purina.
Unlike its relative, the elegant Turkish Angora, which is also a remarkably intelligent breed of cat, the Turkish Van is extremely clumsy. But don’t be fooled, sometimes this cat breed will drop things just to see what might happen, according to cattime.com. They are curious and enjoy playing, learning new tricks and turning the faucets on and off. although they are friendly, they do not like to be held back. Turkish Vans enjoy solo playtime and having the freedom to figure things out on their own.
10. Japanese Bobtail
-medium size
-women typically weigh five to seven pounds
-males usually weigh from seven to 10 pounds
-hair: varies in long and short hair; colors range from white, black, blue, red, cream and various brindle patterns
-lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Considered one of the oldest cat breeds, the Japanese Bobtail is believed to have first appeared in Japan around 600 or 700 AD. The breed didn’t come to the United States until Elizabeth Freret brought one in 1968, according to the Cat Fanciers Association.
with their stubby little tails, Japanese bobtail cats are known to be playful and endearing. They are highly interactive with the humans in their home and like to be involved in all aspects of daily life, from watching TV with their owners and sitting next to them during reading time to greeting guests when they hear the doorbell ring. . These cats enjoy using their mouths to carry things, making them easy to train for a game of fetch. They are also active and like to run around with other cats and dogs. they are known for their athletic ability as they like to jump and jump and given time they can even learn to jump hoops and obstacles.
11. Tonkinese
-medium size
-women typically weigh six to eight pounds
-males usually weigh eight to 12 pounds
-coat: medium to short hair; color range including solid champagne, platinum and blue; natural mink, champagne mink, platinum mink and blue mink; natural point, champagne point, platinum point and blue point
-lifespan: 15 to 18 years
The Tonkinese cat is an offspring of the Burmese and Siamese breeds. They were initially pressured to be a Siamese cat and were first described as the Chocolate Siamese in the 1880s. It wasn’t until 1984 that the Cat Fanciers Association recognized them as their own breed, the Tonkinese, according to Cattime.com.
Tonkinese cats are just as intelligent and social as Siamese and Burmese cats, but perhaps not as boisterous. they have a warm and loving personality and require a lot of attention from their human. Although considered a lap cat, because it mostly enjoys being around its owner, Tonkinese cats like to play with toys that challenge their thinking. they are easily bored by puzzles, so it is recommended that Tonkinese cat owners rotate their toys to keep them mentally stimulated.
