Who is smarter - cats or dogs? Depends on what you mean by this. Intelligence is a completely subjective concept: what seems extremely reasonable to one person is a manifestation of stupidity to another. In relation to domestic animals, each person speaking about intelligence means something different. For one person, the manifestation of a pet’s intelligence lies in the animal’s habits, for another – in absolute obedience, brought to the point of automatism, and for a third, it is enough that the pet knows how to use the toilet and knows where the bowl of water is.
Therefore, each person has his own answer to the question of who is smarter than a cat or a dog. These pets are completely different, and for some people cats are smarter, while for others dogs are smarter.
"Evil" by nature
Let’s make a reservation in advance, cats that show idiopathic (unexplained) aggression are not “bad”; they get along quite well with people, with a reasonable approach to education.
The list of “evil” includes: Siamese cats – have an innate “cult of the owner”. Considering the age of the breed and the history of its breeding, the scratching Siamese is still “flowers”. It is believed that the ancestors of Siamese cats killed people who tried to lie to the pharaohs. Most often, problems arise due to jealousy of the owner, that is, the cat loves one family member, and attacks others.
White cats – presumably, aggression is associated with “Angora blood”. Most white Angoras are born deaf, which makes them more vulnerable. Fear and self-preservation instincts force the cat to show excessive hostility “just in case.”
Blue cats - the only assumption that justifies "evil" is the natural distrust that most representatives of this color have. The person shows excessive persistence, which frightens the cat.
Cats that have experienced abuse are also at risk. Abnormal aggression is extremely rare, but it is almost impossible to stop. The owners cannot predict the behavior of the ward; now she purrs and caresses, and a second later, as if at the flick of a switch, she flies into a rage.
When purchasing an animal from a “risk group”, you should carefully weigh your strengths; sometimes, adjusting behavior does not help and the owner has only one option - sedatives for cats in case of aggression. Before starting treatment, read the article to the end. Most types of aggression are understandable and can be stopped. Generally speaking, an animal can become angry for 3 reasons - competition, pain or fear.
How dangerous is a cat attack?
Many owners of animals, especially large and quite adventurous dogs, worry about cats, which they begin to chase around the yard or down the street if they are given such a chance. In fact, you should worry not about the cat, but about the dog, if its “victim” decides to fight back or take revenge after some time.
It's not about who is stronger, a cat or a dog, but about the method of attack and defense that meowing animals use. No matter how large and scary a dog may be from the point of view of its owner, it will not be able to do anything with a cat clawed into its muzzle with the claws of two (and sometimes all four!) paws.
Cats rarely rush onto a dog's back, at the withers or scruff of the neck. The exception is forest and wild reed cats. A domestic cat, like a city cat living on the street, is practically not attacked in this way. However, this does not mean that they cannot do the same. For example, a considerable number of cats prefer to jump onto a dog that is offending them from a tree or from a fence. But such cases are typical for cats harboring a sense of revenge, that is, it is a stretch to consider such behavior a typical way of displaying aggression.
Aggression caused by pain or fear
A cat driven into a corner, seeing no way out and no support, is not easily afraid; it fears for its life. Everything that frightens must be destroyed - it is an instinct and cannot be eradicated, the main question is the degree of fright:
Mild - despite being frightened, the cat can approach or sniff the frightening object. For example, introducing an adult cat to a small kitten.
Average - a pet that has been examined by a veterinarian behaves with restraint, the cat’s body is tense and compressed, the tail is tucked, it seems that the cat wants to become smaller. Just support your pet; the cat will not panic when it feels protected.
Heavy - the animal attacks everything that is nearby. They use teeth, claws, hissing, threatening poses and releasing secretions from the anal glands. In fact, it looks like a “typhoon” rushing throughout the room. Do not try to stop the animal, much less pick it up. Until you calm down completely, you need to leave the room, if possible. If a panic attack occurs outside the home, it is necessary to wrap up the animal, closing its eyes and temporarily placing the aggressor in a cramped, enclosed space - a carrier or box.
Very severe - accompanied by involuntary bowel movements and bowel movements, the pupils are dilated, the mouth is open. A condition that is dangerous not only for others, but also for the cat. Symptoms indicate that the maximum dose of adrenaline is released into the blood and the heart muscle is working “to the limit.” Do not touch the animal with your hands and protect your face! It is recommended to carefully cover the cat with a box or blanket and leave it alone for a while, without moving it.
Maternal aggression
Perhaps this is the only option when a person should not try to correct the behavior of an animal. An angry mother cat is capable of not only attacking, saving the lives of the kittens, the animal will “stand to the death” and fight to the last drop of blood. Before the attack, the mother emits a specific odor, elusive to the human sense of smell. If you have multiple pets in your home, they will instinctively stay away from a nest with kittens, you should do the same, at least until the babies are 2 weeks old.
What to do if a cat that has recently given birth regularly attacks its owners? Firstly, be patient, and secondly, discover and eliminate the cause of the cat’s fears - move the nest to a quieter room, darken the room, refrain from receiving guests. If the cat is preparing to attack, retreat without turning your back to the animal, show open palms and do not try to speak, the mother’s priority is to eliminate the “enemy” without a fight.
Does a cat always attack?
There is no single answer to the question of why a cat attacks a dog. Each individual case will have its own reasons for aggression. In order to understand them, you need to decide what is meant by the word “attack”. If a cat sits in ambush, then jumps out of its hiding place and clings to the dog for a couple of minutes and then runs away with its back arched and its tail bent to the side, then this is a game, not an attack. Any large dog and cat with an active, lively character often have fun in this way, and there is no need to worry about such pet games.
Dogs behave in exactly the same way. Only they don’t jump out of an ambush, but simply grab the cat with their mouths where they find him. After which they begin to procrastinate, tug, and press with their paws.
Interspecies aggression
Anger caused by competition for territory, food or attention of the owner. In a group of animals (even if there are only 2 of them), there is always an “alpha” and its subordinates
Hierarchy is established through showdowns—hissing, displays of force, or even fights. However, from time to time a “subordinate” will claim the place of “alpha”. It happens that two pets live in perfect harmony, share a bowl, a bed and the affection of the owner, and suddenly, one cat shows aggression.
There are several reasons for anger:
Hormonal surge.
Competition for food or territory.
Weakened "alpha" state.
You can't change nature and clashes will happen. Exit 2 - tolerate the pets' antics, risking their health, or sterilize the animals. After sterilization, one of the basic instincts in pets is dulled – sexual, which “removes” questions about defending territory or fighting for the hypothetical right to procreate.
Redirected aggression
The pet attacks the nearest living creature, angry at an animal or object that is inaccessible. For example, a ward watches a cat from the window, begins to bang its tail, hiss and raise its fur. If at this moment, you or another animal “hurts” the aggressor with something, all the anger will be redirected.
Even after the pet has “let off steam”, it remains in an irritated state. It’s as if he’s walking around the house asking: “Well, who else should I kick?” There are few options for eliminating redirected aggression - isolate the animal after an outburst of anger (temporary), sterilize it, or use sedatives.
Treat yourself to something tasty after your visit
After each visit to the veterinarian, treat your pet to his favorite treat. Even if the cat behaved aggressively, do not neglect this tradition. Then, perhaps, next time the animal will better accept a trip to the doctor and behave calmer. Give treats by hand, do not put them in a bowl. This simple gesture will help establish a connection between the owner and the cat; the pet will trust you more.
Accustoming a cat to behave calmly at a veterinarian's appointment can be an almost impossible task if the animal senses danger in a given situation, so the owner must create the most comfortable conditions possible for his pet. We hope these tips help make visits to the vet easier for you and your cat.
Object of hunting
Some cats have a strong hunting instinct. They love to stalk and attack family members, throw themselves at their feet, and chase. Puppies and small dogs are often targeted. And if in the first case the cat’s behavior is likely to change when the dog grows up, then in the second it is unlikely. Shifting the cat's attention to another game can help here. Make sure your pet has plenty of favorite toys. Interactive games and catnip can also help, as can attaching a leash to your dog or puppy. Usually cats are distracted from the animal by the leash.
Territorial aggression
It occurs in both females and males upon the onset of puberty. A cat and its entire pride (people and other pets) have a certain smell and place in the hierarchy. If one of the members of the pack crosses the “permissible boundaries” or changes the smell, the former friend turns into a “stranger” who must leave the territory.
Attacks on the owner can be explained by competition for the place of alpha representative in the pack. A person has a personal scent - the smell of sweat, in men it is saturated with testosterone, in women with estrogen. The smell of sweat causes aggression in a cat due to the action of the sexual instinct; a cat attacks a man, a cat attacks a woman. If the animal and the owner are of different sexes, the smell of human sweat causes the opposite reaction - sexual arousal and the release of endorphins.
Protecting the territory is dictated by the instinct of reproduction, and aggression in a cat can only be removed by sterilizing the pet. Please note that the older the ward becomes, the weaker he considers himself, and the fear of being overthrown or expelled prompts the animal to become violently aggressive.
Differences between cats and dogs
Cats and dogs are at odds because they are the opposite of each other. Main differences:
- Behavior. Dogs are sociable and friendly animals, but they make a lot of noise, demanding attention (barking, running). Cats, on the contrary, love peace and quiet and watch what is happening from a safe distance.
- Temperament. Dogs are energetic, inquisitive and impulsive. Cats are indifferent, unperturbed.
- Body signals. Cats and dogs demonstrate emotions differently. A dog wags its tail when it communicates its interest and affection; cats, on the contrary, threaten and show that they are irritated. However, this does not apply to all breeds. Savannahs, for example, (a hybrid of a wild serval and a Bengal cat), on the contrary, wag their tail, showing their interest.
Make carrying a habitual place
The transportation process is always exciting for pets. To minimize unpleasant sensations, it is worth accustoming your cat to a crate from an early age so that it does not cause him fear. It is better to leave the bag open in a visible place in the house. Lay a soft blanket inside and place your pet's favorite toy. Wait until the cat wants to go into the house, do not force him there. During short trips, transport your cat in a carrier; you can also use the cage when going to the store or visiting friends and relatives. This way the bag will become a second home and favorite place for your pet.
Why does the cat attack?
There are many reasons for a cat to show aggression towards a dog. If we are talking about pets who live under the same roof, then by carefully observing their behavior, determining the reasons for the attacks is not so difficult.
In fact, the reason for regularly repeated aggression on the part of a cat is always that the dog is constantly repeating some action that pisses off the other animal. But what exactly the dog does can be found out by observing the pets.
Typically, a domestic cat becomes aggressive if:
- encroach on her personal space;
- do not give her the opportunity to sleep or rest;
- eat her food or drink her water;
- they dirty the bowl, touch it with their paws and tail;
- occupy a favorite place near the owner;
- scatter the filler from the tray;
- interfere with urinating in the toilet.
In addition to quite noticeable and objective reasons, there are also not so obvious ones. We are talking about the psychological background of aggression. It is not so rare for a cat to literally attack a recently adopted puppy and do this at every opportunity. At the same time, the small dog does not interfere with the cat in any way: does not sleep in its litter box, does not chew the house, does not touch the bowl.
The reason for this behavior is stress and deep resentment, misunderstanding of what is happening and jealousy. Similar situations occur in families where the cat lived alone for a long time and was extremely spoiled. People, having brought a puppy into their home, devote all their attention only to him for at least a month, sometimes forgetting even to feed the cat on time. This behavior of the owners and the change in their priorities cause deep emotional distress in the cat, leading to attacks on the dog.
A harness is the best escape remedy
Many owners of particularly nervous and impressionable animals have more than once caught their pets in the doctor's office. There is nothing pleasant about trying to pull a frightened and screaming cat out of a trash can or other “secluded place”! To avoid devastating consequences, you can use a harness:
The harness must be selected based on the size and weight of the pet. If the cat is larger, it may suffocate. If it’s less, he’ll simply wriggle out of the “harness” and run away safely.
In order to accustom the animal to limiting its movements in advance, it is necessary to regularly walk it for at least three or four days using a harness.
The “harness” must be put on the cat before leaving the house, and a leash must be attached to it directly at the clinic reception. When the cat starts to get nervous, this will not be so easy.
In addition to the harness, it is better for owners of large and “uncontrollable” cats to prepare a muzzle in advance (there are special cat models). Please note that in some clinics they simply will not accept aggressive and very frightened animals without it!
In addition, do not forget about a simple trick: if the cat is very nervous and reacts poorly to other people and is terribly afraid of dogs, it is better to arrange an appointment with a specialist in advance at the busiest time or directly at home.
Does brain size matter?
This is not paradoxical, but the weight and volume of the brain as a whole does not affect intelligence. A big brain does not add intelligence. For example, the cerebral cortex of a normally intelligent animal such as a brown bear is 10 times heavier and larger in volume than that of a cat. However, the number of active neuronal cells is higher in cats. Accordingly, cats are smarter, although their brain size is smaller.
The volume and weight of the brain also do not affect the animal's ability to perform complex actions, show understanding and flexibility when necessary. This means that the entire behavior of an animal, its intelligence, directly depends not on the size of its head, but on how much active gray mass is present in the brain.
Helping a veterinarian examine a cat at home
To make things easier for himself, the veterinarian and the cat himself, the breeder needs to do the following:
Your cat's claws must be trimmed and straightened. You can also use special protective “attachments” for the paws. You don’t have to buy special products; you can even get by with an old sock.
If the veterinarian needs to examine the “posterior regions” of a nervous cat, the animal can be restrained using a felt boot. The method may look “savage”, but the felt will perfectly protect the cat and the specialist from injury.
In cases where the animal is very violent, children's undershirts of suitable sizes and surgical blankets can be used for fixation. With their help, it is easy to secure the limbs of the “mad beast” so that it does not scratch anyone.
And finally. The situation when a “cute cat” can hardly be held by four adults during examination is not a joke, unfortunately, but a sad reality. If possible, enlist the help of at least one “volunteer”. If the animal is very nervous, an extra pair of hands definitely won't hurt!
How to take a nervous pet to the doctor
And the first problem immediately arises - how to deliver to the clinic a growling and fluffy lump, inside of which a cat has somehow disappeared? In this case, a regular sports bag (whatever you don’t mind) of suitable sizes will help:
You need to make sure there are holes in the bag
This is important because sports equipment is usually made from durable nylon. It is able to resist the claws of a frightened cat, but does not allow air to pass through well
If you travel far and long to the veterinarian, your pet runs the risk of suffocating.
We strongly advise you to choose a bag with a fairly strong and rigid bottom. It will save the owner’s knees or car seat from the cat’s claws and prevent the leakage of urine and other unpleasant secretions. By the way, if a cat poops and pees out of fear during transportation, we advise you to take care in advance of a sufficient amount of soft and absorbent bedding. Even if something happens to the first batch, you can always change it and bring the cat to the veterinarian dry.
If a cat is attached to a toy, you should take him to the veterinarian along with it. The presence of a favorite thing can calm a cat. In this way, pets are very similar to small children.
Whenever possible, it is better to use a portable cage. It will allow the cat to see what is happening around, give it the opportunity to breathe unhindered, and protect it from possible attacks by other animals that were brought to the clinic by other people. All these factors will prevent severe stress from developing.
What are neurons?
A neuron is a cell, thanks to which every person living on Earth is able to perform complex mental activities: the process of thinking, analysis, reflection, learning, planning and others. This means that the presence of neural connections is a sign of the presence of intelligence, without them thinking is impossible.
The less active the neuron cells in the brain, the weaker the mental abilities. When the number of neurons is very small, the activity of the central nervous system is reduced to reflexes and internal processes in the body.
