Cats are good at figuring things out for themselves, especially the cats on this list of the smartest cat breeds in the world. They are naturally curious, great explorers, and good at making a toy out of anything. It’s not unusual for a cat to have more fun with the packaging that their toys came in than the actual toys. Check out the following 10 most intelligent cat breeds…you may be surprised at which ones made the list.
1. Abyssinian Cat
If the best way to learn is to play, these cats are some of the best learners around. They’re one of the breeds that can actually learn to play fetch with small objects and will love doing it. The Abyssinian cat , as the breed is affectionately called, is great at jumping and climbing. If you don’t have a ceiling-high cat tree, Abyssinian Cats will make one for themselves out of your bookcase, curtain, or anything else they can scale to the heavens. Abyssinians are also curious, and if anything has your attention, they might try to take it and investigate. They love to be the center of attention and require constant stimulation. So if you’re the kind of person who is at work or school all day, the Abyssinian Cat may need a companion.
2. Turkish Van Cat
Like the Abyssinian, the Turkish Van loves to climb, but they aren’t very graceful. They’re big and clumsy by cat standards and tend to knock things over, sometimes on purpose just to see what happens. The Turkish Van can also learn to fetch and do tricks, and it has a love of water. The Turkish Van’s nose acts like a mood ring and turns red when they are upset. Best to let them explore on their own and give them toys that let them simulate pouncing on prey.
3. Scottish Fold Cat
The Scottish Fold Cat its name aren’t the only things that make this cat easily recognizable. You’ve also probably seen plenty of pictures of Scottish Fold Cats on the internet with adorably expressive faces and their peculiar tendency to sit in odd positions, sometimes very much like a human. Maybe that’s because Scottish Folds want to blend in with humans, as they love being around people and doing stuff with them. Scottish Fold Cats will join you to watch movies or television and will pay attention to what’s on the screen. Scottish Fold Cats love to learn tricks, and they will expect you to play with them at length. Because of their need to be with human companions, it’s not best to leave them alone for too long. Scottish Folds prefer toys that keep them agile or puzzle toys that test their intelligence.
4. Siamese Cat
Siamese Cats are loud, and they’re happiest when you chat with them. The Siamese is glad to follow you around and watch what you’re up to with an inquisitive eye, all the while being social and talkative. Being smart, Siamese Cats get bored if their brains aren’t stimulated. So they should always be left with something to keep them busy. Puzzle toys will keep Siamese Cats from making their own entertainment, which is a bad thing if you want to keep your tissue box or toilet paper roll intact. Siamese Cats will let you know if they are bored or unhappy, and if you want to keep your sanity, you’d better give them the attention they crave lest they wake the neighbors with their caterwauling.
5. Burmese Cat
The Burmese cats are definitely inherited their forbears intelligence. The Burmese also love to talk, but they aren’t as loud as the Siamese. Burmese Cats get attached to humans, so it’s best not to leave them alone. But they will be happy with another cat or a dog. Teaching Burmese Cats tricks will keep their mind working, and they’ll be happy to show off for your friends, as they love to be the center of attention. The Burmese can learn to sit, roll over, fetch, or even walk on a leash. Burmese Cats will follow you around everywhere, and their tendency to explore means they’ll know your house better than you fairly quickly. They will want your attention quite often, and though male Burmese Cats are usually more docile and happy to sit in your lap for a bit, the females tend to be more demanding.
6. Tonkinese Cat
What happens when you mix the intelligence of the Siamese and the Burmese breeds? You get the smarty-pants Tonkinese. They are nicknamed, need attention and will follow you around or even ride on your shoulder. Tonkinese Cats are happy to meet new people and are quite social. That’s why they shouldn’t be left alone for too long. The good news is that Tonkinese Cats are happy with any kind of companion, whether it’s a cat of another breed or even a dog. They’re good at dog games, too, like fetch, and will even walk on leash. Tonkinese Cats also like to talk, though they aren’t quite as loud as their Siamese parents. Basically, if you want a dog but your apartment only allows cats, the Tonkinese is the breed for you. They’re very smart, so puzzle toys won’t keep them busy for long. It’s important to keep rotating a Tokninese Cat’s toys so they stay busy.
7. Cornish Rex Cat
Intelligence isn’t the only thing on these cats’ side. Cornish Rex Cats also have excellent jumping abilities and long toes that let them hang on to objects, open doors, and raid cabinets. If you want to hide something from the Cornish Rex, make sure you do it when they’re not looking, as they’ll easily be able to figure out a way to retrieve it. Speaking of retrieving, Cornish Rex Cats are great at retrieving toys and playing fetch. They’re very quick and able to move around corners easily. Cornish Rex Cats love people and are always looking to give affection or for a lap to sit on. Their friendly demeanor and intelligence makes them fairly easy to train for therapy work, and their love for being held by humans makes vet visits a bit less stressful.
8. Singapura Cat
Singapura Cats may have come from the Abyssinian and the Burmese, and a DNA study found very little genetic difference from the Burmese. Still, they are recognized as their own breed, and they share the intelligence of their ancestors. The most notable difference is how tiny Singapura Cats are. In addition to being one of the smartest cat breeds in the world, they are also the smallest cat breed in the world. Despite their small size, Singapura Cats have a big personality and their hyperactivity makes sure that you know they’re there. Singapura Cats may surprise you by jumping from a high place onto your shoulder as you walk by. Singapuras are quite curious and always busy. They may stop once in a while to sit on your lap, but they’ll be in a hurry to get back to whatever they’re up to, and they’ll keep that playful nature even as adults. Theses tiny cats love people and other pets, but make sure there are enough of both around to keep your Singapura Cat entertained.
9. Birman Cat
These beauties are highly sought-after. A British woman paid over $50,000 for a Birman Cat in 1990, and with their intelligence, personality, and looks, it’s no wonder. Birman Cats are excellent at learning tricks, and they’re great with their paws. This can lead to trouble, as Birman Cats have a penchant for turning off light switches, playing with electronics, and causing mischief. Bengals love water and will follow you into the tub or shower if they can. But their love of water and dexterous paws make them a nightmare for fish in aquariums or backyard ponds. Bengals love to climb like their leopard ancestors, so they will definitely need a cat tree if you’d prefer not to have curtains full of holes.
10. Savannah Cat
Savannah cats are part African Serval, which gives them a very unique sense of adventure. They have a strong level of curiosity, are very intelligent and their leaping ability is unparalleled. You just might come home one day and find them perched on top of your refrigerator! The Savannah cat has a high level of social smarts, as they know when you need to spend time with your friends and family and are more than willing to recede into the background when necessary. They also love to go on walks with more active owners.