Cat Learning

Cat Learning

by Michael
(London, UK)

There is a highly amusing video on YouTube that I think is an example of a cat learning to box, human style! Usually, when we talk of cats learning as kittens we are referring to how kittens learn to hunt.

It was thought, and it probably still is, that kittens learn and perfect predatory skills through play with siblings etc. However this may not be true. Cat learn from a variety of experiences. As usual the speed of learning and competence in hunting is also dependent on individual cats – a natural talent is a factor too. Some kittens learn fast while others lag behind. The differences, however, are smoothed out in adulthood.

Experiences that allow a kitten to acquire predatory skills need not just be hands on. They can learn by watching and they do as the video shows. A kitten can learn by watching mother hunt or watching any cat with which the kitten is familiar.

The power of observational learning is such that a kitten will prefer to eat bananas, yes bananas, if his or her mother was trained to eat them and the kitten watches his mother eat them1.

Useful links
Anxiety - reduce it
FULL Maine Coon guide - lots of pages
Children and cats - important

Well this video of a cat learning the boxing actions of professional boxers is, I think, an example of a cat learning by observation!

It is likely to be the case because people do stand in the shoes (metaphorically!) of mother cats. Our cats see us a parent cats. We feed them and care for them.

Here is the video:

Please note that sometimes videos are pulled off the internet without notice – the screen will go black if that happens.

Maybe I am off the mark. I don’t know. Perhaps someone trained the cat to do this but I doubt it.

This is an example of a cat learning by observation it seems to me – enjoy.

Dorothy Wandruff picked this video out for me – thanks Dorothy.

Michael Avatar

Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

Note:

1. Wyrwicka W 1978 Imitation of mother’s inappropriate food preference in weanling kittens referred to in Wild Cats Of The World page 110.

From Cat Learning to Cat Behavior

Comments for
Cat Learning

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 13, 2011 Sign Him Up!
by: Gail (Boston, MA USA)

Man, that cat’s got a mean left and a great right cross! Sign him up!

I think they learn from observing also. Haven’t you ever seen your own sit and watch TV if it catches their attention? Who says they cannot learn as well? Why not?



Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.

Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in many jobs including professional photography. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare. If you want to read more click here.

You may also like...

1 Response

  1. February 16, 2013

    […] very much like a person, actually, and I think it puts the cat in a new light. It reminds me of the cat who is watching boxing on television and mimics the boxers. Our behavior rubs off onto our […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *