Despite the aloof nature of these cats, if you are able to maintain the attention of a cat long enough, you will quickly come to realize that cats tend to be a lot smarter than they let on. Of course, some breeds are smarter than others.
Table of Contents
Are Ragdoll Cats smart compared to other cat breeds?
Compared to other felines, ragdoll cats are intelligent cats. Intelligence is measured differently in cats, so it is hard to calculate how much smarter ragdoll cats are. One of the easiest ways to visualize it is going to be that there are some areas that ragdoll cats excel.
Just as people may find that they are better in a certain area of education than others.
Measuring Intelligence in Cats
Unfortunately, there is no simple, streamlined process that one can use to effectively quantify intelligence in cats in the same sense that there are IQ tests for people. Instead of working off a linear scale in that sense, intelligence in animals that is measured by their instinctive behavior tends to focus more on what areas the cat excels at.
For instance, there are some cats that specialize in areas of intelligence that make them optimal candidates for agility shows or obedience training. The ragdoll cat does not excel in these areas, which is why it is not typically known for its obedience performance at shows. Instead, a ragdoll’s intelligence lies elsewhere.
Finding Where the Ragdoll Excels
As incredibly social cats who crave attention from their human and feline companions alike, it would make sense that ragdoll cats excel at showing communication. As you grow and learn about your ragdoll cat, and the cat learns about you, there’s a very good chance that it will begin to learn the best ways to communicate with you. This could be in the form of pawing at a water bowl when it needs water, or it could be learning what kinds of meows elicit a reaction from you, so that the cat can learn the best way to communicate with you.
In addition to communication, ragdoll cats are also very good at expressing themselves. Ragdoll cats will quickly learn that humans do not tend to pick up on the nonverbal communications that cats try to share. Because of this, they will resort to other forms of communication, and a major part of this will involve showing emotions. Ragdoll cats can be stubborn, refusing to use a freshly-washed cat bed because it was washed in soap the cat doesn’t like the smell of. Cats can also be easy to understand, especially when it comes to the tail.
All of this also ties into the ragdoll’s last strength in intelligence: the cat’s social ability. This area can be summarized as your ragdoll’s ability to communicate with you and express how much it craves attention and a social experience. Ragdoll cats are known for being able to beg their owners to pick them up, and this is another sign of their social prowess.
When all is said and done, there is no denying the fact that ragdoll cats are extremely intelligent when it comes to areas that involve socialization and interacting with other pets and people. These cats know how to communicate what they want from their families, and they know the best way to show an emotion that will get you to do exactly what the cat wants. If you are looking for a cat that is able to communicate with you about what it needs and wants, while also being a calm, collected cat, then a ragdoll cat may very well be the best cat for you.
More questions related to how smart they are
How Well Do Ragdoll Cats Learn New Tricks?
Despite the old saying, most ragdoll cats will be more than happy to learn a new trick or two. These cats aim to please their owners, and if they realize that learning a new trick is something that will warrant praise, then there’s a very good chance that you will be able to teach our cat how to do just about anything.
Can You Teach a Ragdoll Cat to Be Smarter?
While you cannot necessarily teach your cat to study in the same way that you studied during school, there are exercises that you can practice with your cat to improve its intelligence levels. There are also many, many different interactive toys that are designed to get the pet gears turning.
Where Do Ragdolls Struggle?
It may seem as if ragdoll cats are capable of doing everything, but there are a few things that can help you out in the areas that you struggle with. Usually, ragdoll cats will suffer the most in terms of intelligence and charisma. Some of these can be improved with time, patience, and training, while other problems are going to be chronic for the ragdoll while accommodations are made.
