>>>>>Dogs are in fact more intelligent than cats. Cats' independence is often mistaken for intelligence.
>>>>
>>>>Where on earth did you get that? Everything I've ever read says exactly the opposite. The fact that one can teach a dog tricks is no real indication of intelligence. You say to a dog, fetch, and it runs after the stick thinking it'll get fed or something as a reward. A cat, when told to fetch says, "You threw it, you fetch it. you're gonna feed me anyway."
>>>>
>>>>Seriously, though, watch a dog when a ball rolls under a couch. It will bang it's head against the couch or sniff around where the ball went under for days. A cat will run around the couch to the back and get the ball.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Likewise, mules are more intelligent than horses. Horses (like people) get undeserved credit for being better looking.
>>>
>>>Cats have more instincts, and more finely-tuned instincts, than dogs. But they are less able to learn.
>>
>>I'm not sure they're less able to learn. They just don't bother learning stuff that is only important to you and not to them.
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>"Don't bother" is way too much anthropomorphizing - their thought processes never get that far.
Hmmm.... What exactly are you trying to tell me? I thought 'anthropomorphizing' only applies to non-humans. ;)
>
>>
>>>
>>>Put a cat in a situation that isn't handled in its ROM and it's either completely flummoxed or completely irrational. For example, give one a cardboard box:
>>>
>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPzNl6NKAG0>>
>>I would really love to know exactly what goes through a cat's head when presented with something new and playable.
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>The computer equivalent would be dereferencing a null pointer. Anything could happen.
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>>Or why they will sometimes suddenly jump up from a quiet relaxation and go tearing out of the room, turn around and tear back in only to lie down again.
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>That one's easy - lack of exercise and/or mental stimulation. They need to get their heart rate up once in a while. Just periodically do something that challenges their "dignity" e.g. comb them when they don't really want to be combed, rub their fur the wrong way etc. After a while, no more spastic behaviour.
I like to wrestle with them. Get them with an on-the-mattress body slam. They come up fast and ready. In many ways, they're like cats.
