Do Cats Play Pretend?

from JoeUser Forums
Socrates has started some new sort of game. He'll play with his favorite toy, an orange stuffed dinosaur, and then after beating the hell out of it he'll lay it next to his food dish with it's head over the rim as if he's feeding it.

I have to wonder if he's pretending to feed his playmate. Do cats have the capacity to play make believe? Does he really think his stuffed friend may be hungry? Or has he simply found this to be a handy place to leave his toy?

I think it would be very interesting if he and cats in general have the capacity to imagine. That indicates a much higher order of thought than one would normally associate with "dumb" animals.

He does learn things pretty quickly, as I would imagine all cats do. He has learned which switch in the sleeper turns off the lights. He has also learned how to blow the city horn (the one on the steering wheel). He will blow the horn when I am out of the truck working a load. Thankfully he hasn't figured out the air horns.

He knows when he hears the loud blow of air from the parking brake buttons that we are stopped and he can commence to act like a maniac. He also has learned the bedtime routine. He knows when I first lay down I am going to surf the net or watch a movie and he'll play for a while. But then after a while he'll climb into the bed and hit the switch to turn off the lights indicating that he thinks it's time for sleep.

He has even learned how to hit the snooze button on the alarm which has caused a bit of a problem.

Cats seem to be damned smart. But do they play pretend?
13,269 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good grief he is one smart cat! Maybe it's like Pinnocio in disguise and he'll be a real boy one day? Wouldn't that be shocking!! OK, blame it on me watching Narnia for the first time, finally! I really enjoyed that movie! Sorry, I know off topic!

As to whether he plays pretend or not...with your smart cat, he might just be! Hehe, he has an imaginary friend, didn't you know that?!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I really dont know if they can play pretend.  But I do know you named him very well!
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
And then there are the times when he acts really, really dumb...
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Aw Mason what a lovely little character Socrates is! He must be super company for you on the road. Your question - most peole will answer no ways. Have you watched a cat playing with another cat or dog? Seen how they hide behind the door and pounce when the animal walks through? That takes thought - some would argue it is part of their hunting instinct coming out - I don't they are playing there is a differnce. So as for Socrates? hmmmm he sounds really intelligent!

I have never heard of this type of behaviour before, he could just be putting the toy there as its place so it does not get lost or forgotten?

who knows - oh to hear what he thinks and says! now that would be fun!

He sounds really delightful.. you are going to have to write a book one day.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
he could just be putting the toy there as its place so it does not get lost or forgotten?


That's kind of what I thought too, but did have to wonder as he always places the head over the rim of the dish. Who knows? Maybe the dumb animals aren't as dumb as we think. Or maybe we aren't as much smarter as we like to think?

He is brighter than I thought a cat would be, but then he's my first cat.

He does make for pretty good company most of the time (except when he's raiding my crackers).

As far as writing a book, well, let's just say I doubt anyone would want to read it.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I kind of doubt he's feeding the dinosaur. Wouldn't he also think it needs water?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply #6
I kind of doubt he's feeding the dinosaur. Wouldn't he also think it needs water?


Beats me. Somehow he seems to think paper towels need water becaue he keeps putting them in the water dish. (See comment about acting stupid)
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds like a smart cat to me, and a really nice companion.

Yeah, I think they can pretend..the cat who adopted us is constantly chasing and running afer NOTHING...so unless she's crazy...well, heh, I won't rule that out.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply #8
Sounds like a smart cat to me, and a really nice companion.

Yeah, I think they can pretend..the cat who adopted us is constantly chasing and running afer NOTHING...so unless she's crazy...well, heh, I won't rule that out.


Crazy is always an option when it comes to cats
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
the cat who adopted us is constantly chasing and running afer NOTHING


My cat runs around right before she uses the litter box. I think the running helps.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
As far as writing a book, well, let's just say I doubt anyone would want to read it.


Yes they would, you put across his personality and antics so nicely - it always makes enjoyable reading, I look forward to hearing about Socrates each day!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply #10
I love your stories about Socrates!


Thanks
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
My cat runs around right before she uses the litter box. I think the running helps.


COuld be. Coffee usually does it for me.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply #12
As far as writing a book, well, let's just say I doubt anyone would want to read it.


Yes they would, you put across his personality and antics so nicely - it always makes enjoyable reading, I look forward to hearing about Socrates each day!


Thanks. He's a card alright.