(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

Mom keeps telling me that Molly is the smartest cat she's ever known (and Mom's owned four others). We've known for quite a while that Molly's a good hunter even without claws, but it took longer for us to observe that she generally learns quickly, remembers well, and can be quite resourceful.

Mom says this affectionately, but cat smarts aren't necessarily good from the owner's perspective. Molly learns what she wants to learn, which is sometimes contrary to our desire. Also, she loses all interest in toys once she's "conquered" them. If Mom hadn't retired, I don't know how Molly would fight boredom during the week.

As it happens, Molly's back on a rigorous diet, after a year of constantly filled dry food bowls left her heavier than when we got her. She now has a device that dispenses food only when she bats the puzzle into just the right position. That ought to give her a workout, unless she decides that hunger is too little an incentive to keep playing, but there should be weight loss either way.

Comments

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

Spotty was the smartest cat I've known, but her problem-solving ability didn't often conflict with my interests (although she did figure out how to open the cardboard cat carriers on a trip home in the car, and before long almost all the cats were out of theirs). :) It probably helped a lot that she was an outdoor cat.

sort of related

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

I just saw an idea for fighting cat boredom, a squirrel feeder on an accessible window. Highly dependent on the cat having a suitable temperment (and not being inclined to fling itself at the window or something).

Re: sort of related

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

I don't know how Molly feels about squirrels, but when she sees birds, she makes a strange sound as if to imitate them.

Re: sort of related

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

A lot of cats do that, it's apparently a hunting thing. (I'd tell you the explanation I've heard, but I think I should give you a chance to opt-out first, as it's not exactly cheerful.)

Re: sort of related

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Sounds like something I won't need to know, so I'll pass. Thanks anyway.