11 Dumbest Cat Breeds
Cats have a reputation for being rather less friendly than dogs. Our feline friends are also known to be aloof, independent, and selfish. Their body language is quite sophisticated – you need to learn and understand cues such as purring, tail-twitching, and positioning of the ears and whiskers to determine whether they are in a friendly mood or are best left alone.
But, there is one common question that lingers in the minds of many cat owners – are cats really dumb?
Unfortunately, there are no practical methods available to measure a cat’s intelligence. Perhaps their laid-back disposition, stubbornness, and lack of care about anything have given us the impression that cats are generally dumb. That said, it could be the other way around – they are too smart and view humans as huge, clumsy, slovenly cats that are there to feed them!
In this article, we have summarized what most people consider the dumbest cat breeds, based on their responsiveness, appearance, activity, or how vocal they are.
1. Persians
Persian cats are loved by many for their fluffy, silky coats and cute, round faces. These fluff-balls might seem like the perfect home companion due to their docile and affectionate demeanor, but you might be surprised to know that they are a bit lacking in the intelligence department.
Unlike other cat breeds, Persians are known to be slow learners. These kitties might take months or even years to get accustomed to a few basic commands! But this does not mean they are untrainable. If you want your Persian pal to learn a few tricks, you just need to be more patient, consistent, and generous with treats.
On the bright side, Persians are mild-tempered, playful, and cheery, which makes them one of the most popular cat breeds despite being considered dumb.
2. Exotic shorthairs
Exotic shorthairs are among the cutest cat breeds due to their beautiful round heads and sweet-looking faces. These cats are related to both Persians and American shorthairs, both of which are known for not being smart. This earns the exotic shorthair a spot on our list!
Similar to Persian cats, exotic shorthairs are loved for their loyalty, calmness, and playful personalities. Although they enjoy following and chatting with their humans, these cats are not as vocal as certain other cat breeds like the Siamese.
Exotic shorthairs might not be smart enough to learn many cat tricks, but the sweet and friendly character of these fluff-balls will definitely make you fall in love.
3. American shorthairs
The American shorthair is known to be a working cat. They were originally bred to be hardy, muscular, and strong. They have thick, strong legs, a well-developed chest and neck, and strong jaws which seem designed for hunting. With such strong physical traits, American shorthairs were commonly used in the past to keep rodents and other destructive pests under control.
Despite their impressive musculature, many pet owners find American shorthairs to be dumb, possibly due to their laid-back and easy-going nature. Their attention span is also very short, and they are known to ignore the commands of their owners.
Although less attentive, the American shorthair has become a popular household pet due to their friendliness, playfulness, and mellow character. This breed is also very accepting of other pets and young children, making them generally very pleasant household companions.
4. British shorthairs
A soft, plush coat, sturdy physique, and big, bright eyes – it is easy to fall in love with a British shorthair! These kitties have good looks, affectionate natures, and are fiercely loyal to their favorite humans.
However, they are not so fond of being active and would rather spend the entire day lounging around the house. They are also known for being lazy and less vocal. For these reasons, many pet owners consider the British shorthair a dumb cat breed.
The good thing about having a British shorthair, though, is that they are independent and do not need a lot of your attention. This makes them perfect pets for people who are often busy at work or who travel a lot.
5. Scottish folds
Scottish folds are easily recognized by their signature folded ears. Their faces are round, with big, innocent-looking eyes. The breed made it onto our list because of their foolish, owl-like appearance.
Scottish folds are undeniably adorable – even the way they sit on their hind legs with paws resting on their fluffy bellies. And, while they might look a bit stupid and funny, for some cat lovers these features are the very things that make them cute and irresistible. Scottish folds are also sweet and sociable, making them ideal for families with young children and other pets.
6. Snowshoes
Cat lovers can easily spot a snowshoe by their distinctive fur markings, which are similar to those of a Siamese. Their coat is light-colored except around the legs, tail, and ears, and their fluffy face is covered with a V-shaped mask around the eyes and over the muzzle. But, compared with the Siamese, their bodies are a bit more rounded.
Snowshoes are highly sociable cats and love to vocalize their concerns in a melodic voice. Although they are friendly to everyone, these kitties tend to have a favorite person that they stick to. They do not like to be left alone for too long – you may cause problems if you do this.
So, you might be wondering what makes this cat breed dumb? Although snowshoes are capable of learning to walk on a leash or do a few tricks, they are just very headstrong and stubborn. You cannot make them lift a paw if it is not in their interest to do so. Perhaps they are actually just too smart and consider obedience to humans beneath their dignity!
7. Birmans
If you are looking for an easy-going feline companion that loves to chill and does not demand much attention, a Birman could be your best option.
These semi long-haired cats are real beauties. They have sturdy, medium-sized bodies covered in soft, silky fur. Their front and back paws are covered in white, as if they are wearing white gloves and socks. Their deep blue eyes are striking and perfectly reflect their gentle nature.
Perhaps one of the many reasons Birmans are considered dumb is their extreme curiosity and proneness to get stuck in unimaginable places. If you are a Birman owner, you would want to stay up to date on your cat’s whereabouts and keep an eye on the nooks and crannies of your house, or you may end up with a missing kitty!
8. Korats
Originating in Thailand, the korat is one of the oldest cat breeds. Also known as Si-Sawat or the “good luck cat,” the korat is distinctive for its silver-tipped blue-gray coat, large, mobile ears, and heart-shaped face. The body of this ancient cat breed is medium-sized, stocky, and muscular.
Korats are exceptional when it comes to loyalty and love for their human caretakers. They enjoy interacting and staying involved with their owner’s daily life. Hence, these kitties cannot be left alone for too long; if they are, they might resort to undesirable behavior.
Aside from their playfulness and sweet temperament, korats are known to be possessive, territorial, and a bit stubborn. They do not do well in new environments or with new residents, which has earned them a reputation for being a bit dumb. Despite their bad adaptability, however, these cats are loved for their friendliness and placid nature.
9. Somalis
The Somali is a long-hair cat closely related to the Abyssinian. This breed has a soft, flowing coat that covers an athletic body. Its ears are large while its tail is generously covered with fur like that of a fox, hence the nickname, “fox cat.”
Some of the endearing traits of Somalis include playfulness, mischievousness, and an affectionate demeanor. They are generally gregarious, bold, adventurous, and high-energy. These cats can also be very demanding and love to be involved in everything you do. From time to time you might find these furballs climbing and jumping on your counters and tables, so be prepared for this toddler-like behavior if you plan to bring home a Somali cat!
Despite being high-level chaotic cats, Somalis are well-loved for their lively personalities. However, they are also very stubborn and will mess up around the house as they please (so consider making your home cat-friendly if you want to own one).
10. Ragdolls
Good looking, calm, and friendly, ragdolls seem to have all the positive traits of an ideal furry companion. Their loyalty and devotion to their human owners is similar to that of dogs; they revel in the attention of their favorite people without being too demanding. Ragdolls have earned a reputation for being gentle giants in the cat world due to their large size and docile nature.
What makes this breed appear dumb is their placid nature and lack of concern about anything happening around them. But do not be fooled by this laid-back demeanor – ragdolls are actually as intelligent as any average cat, and can learn a few tricks and basic commands.
11. Munchkins
Munchkins, or “sausage cats,” are notable for their stubby legs, long spines, and rounded bodies – all traits that result from a genetic mutation called dwarfism. This breed is a bit like the feline equivalent of a dachshund or a corgi. You might find their appearance dumb due to their lack of leg length, but munchkins are actually a bundle of joy. Despite their long, low appearance, these kitties are fun-loving, affectionate, and full of energy.
Munchkins are almost no different from a typical domestic cat – they are sociable, friendly with young children and other pets, and enjoy some lap time with their favorite humans. You might see them walking like a ferret, though, due to their short legs (which most of us find adorable, anyways). However, do not be fooled by their “dumb-looking” appearance, because these felines are naturally curious and intelligent, and enjoy exploring the world around them.
Conclusion
Some cat breeds have a reputation for being dumb because they are a bit slow, less responsive, more laid-back, or have an appearance suggestive of low intelligence. But do not be fooled – most cats have a good memory and great powers of observation. Perhaps they just prefer to be more relaxed and live on their own terms, rather than follow in the footsteps of their obedient canine counterparts.
Hence, no one can truly say whether cats are smart or dumb. However, there is one thing we can all agree on – they are adorable and make the perfect lifelong companions at home!