Animal Instinct Versus Intelligence

Animal Instinct Versus Intelligence Between Two Animals
I believe that a dog acts more on instinct and a cat acts more on intelligence. Intelligence is the ability to understand from experience or the ability to retain knowledge whereas instinct refers to the inborn characteristics of species in a naturally acquired way. Two animals I would compare in terms of instinct versus intelligence are my golden retriever, Sissy and my tabby cat, Japetto. There is something about having pets that brings excitement and joy to me and I love them like a family member because they seem to always be there when I need them. They are my best buddies and they really are a source of comfort and support to me when I am happy and when I feel down.

It is interesting to note how two animals like a dog and cat can be instinctively and intellectually so different and how humans respond to them. It is so interesting to watch my dog and cat behaviors and I have so much enjoyment from both pets but they are very different animals indeed and they are just like part of the family. Watching these two in different environments is better than watching television. For example, at the end of a very rough day, there is nothing I like more than to walk into the house and be greeted by Sissy and Japetto. There is always certain to be some sort of adventure related to Sissy and Japetto either separately or together through some sort of mischief.

As I enter the house, I know Sissy will come and lick my hand with her rough, wet tongue begging me to take her outside so she can run and play. Japetto on the other hand tries to make a fast, swift exit out the door so she can roll in the grass. We call her the great escape artist.

Japetto is very intelligent and knows when the door opens signaling the potential for a quick, backyard escape. Little does Japetto know if she gets into the backyard that it is highly probably that Sissy will eat her because Sissy’s instinct is to hunt and kill. Even though the two are in the house all day with each other, the minute they are outdoors together, Sissy goes into a hunting mode looking for moving prey to attack and eat. Japetto has no idea the danger she is in if she does escape into the back yard she must be intelligent enough to make a fast get away up the nearest tree.

I have seen Sissy act in a very strange ways and cannot for the life of me figure out why she does what she does. For example, she is always steadfast and loyal walking by my side no matter what I do. She is faithful and obedient and loves to be with people. As they always say “dogs are a man’s best friend” and this is true I think our of a dog’s instinct to protect his/her master. Sissy loves to go with me to feed the horses and the moment I turn my head to do a chore, Sissy sneaks away to a big pile of fresh horse manure to roll in it. There is just nothing intelligent about rolling in horse manure and now matter how much I scold Sissy, she just loves to roll in green horse manure right after she has a bath. I cannot for the life of me figure why she does this other than instinct to cover her odor and smell awful maybe as a form of instinct and self preservation that is from instinct.

As far as an animal acting out of intelligence, I would say this is the case with my tabby cat Japetto who is very intelligent. For example, when Japetto hears a door open or a visitor’s voice, she immediately hisses and alerts us that someone is here who normally should not be in the house. Japetto does not forget anything and is very smart. Japetto only likes certain people and she remembers who she likes and who she doesn’t. For example, Japetto turns into a miniature mountain lion if someone comes to visit and she does not know them. She begins growling and hissing and most certainly you will get a nasty welcome if she does not know you. She has even been known to strike out with her paw and try to scratch some unknowing strangers meaning I have to shut her in a room to protect the innocent who think she looks like a furry best friend.

My relationship with my dog and cat are like the relationships I have with my family. My days are great because I have my pets. There is never a dull moment as Japetto and Sissy go on a chase through the house tearing up the rugs and making things fall off shelves as Sissy chases Japetto in hot pursuit dart around the living room. There is just something really fulfilling about having pets like Sissy and Japetto who come from two different worlds.


Alexander Petrunkevitch "The Spider and the Wasp" published by Scientific American (August 1952)