It’s clear that all cats are intelligent, but some a little bit more than others. We’d all like to think we have the smartest felines around, but there is a general consensus that some breeds are smarter than others. Of course, this doesn’t include our good rescue cats, so don’t forget to consider them when making your own decision.
#1 – Abyssinian
This beautiful ticked tabby cat is one of the most popular purebred cats in the United States. They are very intelligent, playful, extroverted cats that enjoy being active with their human families. In fact, it’s said by owners that Abyssinians will become depressed if they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation.
#2 – Siamese
Siamese cats are known for their affection and intelligence, making them a very popular choice for cat owners. They are very vocal cats that will cry out for attention if they feel neglected. Very playful and social, they do bond closely with a single person in the family.
#3 – Turkish Van
Turkish Van cats are very social, very friendly cats that are known for their intelligence. It’s not uncommon for Turkish Vans to learn to play fetch just like a dog would. These cats are uncanny hunters and are even said to enjoy playing in water.
#4 – Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is known for its folded ears, though not ever cat in the breed displays this trait. They are good-natured cats that become very attached to their human families. Because of their intelligence and playfulness, the breed can easily become lonely and depressed if left alone for too long.
#5 – Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a very intelligent breed of cat regarded for its unique curiosity. This breed will go anywhere to explore anything; jumping on top of refrigerators, climbing into washing machines, cabinets and the like. The breed even enjoys the company of other animals.
#6 – Persian
The Persian is one of the most popular breeds of purebred cat in the United States, ranking 2nd place in 2015. Although relatively lazy as far as cats go, they are intelligent animals that bond very closely with their owners. They are very social cats, even friendly towards strangers.
#7 – Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is a very old breed, existing in Japan and Japanese folklore for many ages. They are very active, intelligent and human-oriented cats. They are known for being easy to train and enjoy learning tricks and playing games like fetch.
#8 – Burmese
Burmese are very intelligent cats known for keeping their extremely playful energy well into adulthood. They form very strong bonds with their human families and often solicit play from people like a dog would. They are not very independent cats and strive on human attention.