Here’s a study that I found highly amusing: researchers found that cats will choose a tray of food over having to work a puzzle to get fed. Um, yeah? And who does this sound like? Humans, of course! Humans are big time freeloaders. In fact, my human’s career as a music journalist in the 1980s and ’90s relied heavily on events that offered free meals.
But apparently humans and cats are the exception to the rule. Birds, rodents, dogs and primates (other than humans) will choose the puzzle instead of the freeload. Losers. Maybe this is why humans and cats are at the top of the food chain. And cats are at the very top, because we not only get free meals, we get them served to us. By humans.
Anyhow, my human wanted to see how I fit into this whole scenario. So we did our own little study, with cat treats.
My human wanted to see if I would do a trick for a treat versus just take the one sitting on the floor.
So she put a freeze dried chicken treat on the rug and held out her hand so I could give her a paw shake first.
I’m no dummy — I went for the treat immediately.
Oh, I still love doing high fives and other tricks for treats. In fact, the study indicated that cats still did the treat puzzles — they just went for the open tray of food first. But you’d have to be crazy to overlook a free meal, right?
So what do you think of this study? Do you believe like I do, that this makes us cats more efficient and human like? Or do you think this was just another attempt to cast cats in a negative light? (In which case, humans need to look at themselves too!) Let me know in the comments.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Is Your Cat Right or Left Pawed? Can You Tell Paw Preference?
- Are Cats as Smart as Cuttlefish… or Preschoolers? An Experiment on Delayed Gratification
- Scientists Finally Figure Out Cats Respond to Slow Blinking (Plus Tips)
2022 Somali Cat Calendar Starring Summer Samba
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
I’ll keep this short and sweet, Summer. I believe cats are the most perfect creatures in existence
I think I could have told them that! Nothing negative about it, cats are just smart and resourceful.
Hmm, maybe they should do that study on raccoons . . . I think I know the answer to that one, too!
I would NOT say freeloaders! I would say too smart for the testers! I, Marv, And Kozmo and Jo Jo will not do anything for treats…we always get them anyway!
The things that get ‘studied’ never cease to amaze and amuse me…sheesh. Maybe someone needs to do as study on why peeps have to do these dumb studies anyways, and who do they benefit?? Seems a way fort he ‘studier’ to get a free handout of $$ for their silly thoughts…
It just makes cats SMARTER than the other animals and humans.
We like your take on that survey, Summer. And we love that you went for the treat!
Cats are God’s best creation and shouldn’t have to work for anything. 🙂 XO
I think it’s just one more negative story about cats, but it just shows how smart they are!
This is one of those studies that makes you wonder why they did it ? Next : “Study shows sun appears to rise in the East .”
My cats would take the treat without doing the puzzle. I think that’s just fine. Why would any animal refuse a treat in order to do a puzzle first.
Cats are practical, that’s all. 😉
and just like you – the cats in the study went for the puzzle after they ate the free food. I mean really? Who wouldn’t eat the free food first?
Another dumb study by someone who wants to understand cats when they can just ask one of us who truly love them and have lived with them for years. Of course they go for the freebie! I would too! So would the test giver. But maybe not. He may have a mouse brain MOL
I think you nailed it sweet Summer, no need to work for food!
Somebody really did a study about this???????
The Florida Furkids
Oy! *shakes head*
Just proves how intelligent felines are.
Freeloaders! Hmmpphh! We’re just too smart for humans, that’s all. I will rarely do a food puzzle, I don’t believe in working for food. P.s. We’re trying to catch up on commenting on our friends’ blogs today. We read yours every day, though!
I think it is an attempt to portray cats in a negative light!
Humans go for food first too! Mum even has this credo…”Life is uncertain…eat dessert first!”
Purrs, Julie
Are they stupid? Of course cats and anyone with sense will take the easy option!
Okay, the people who did this study…..must not like cats and wanted,
intended, to put cats in a bad light. I want to know more about this
so-called study. I really don’t believe all those other animals would
refuse a hand out and insist on doing a puzzle first. Doesn’t make sense
to me. “Oh no thanks, I can’t accept any food until I work for it.” Nope -don’t believe it.