Everyone wants to know what is the #1 smartest pet, because maybe they want a pet that can talk or do things. I think being smart is not always good because smart pets get bored in house.
Some things we think about before getting a smart animal
- Can they learn tricks fast?
- Do they feel sad when alone?
- Is it hard to clean after them?
- Do they need many toys from pet products shops?
Maybe the pig is the best?
Pigs are very very smart. people eat them but they are actually like dogs or even better. I read that they can play games with a screen. We know many farm animals but pigs are special in the head. they remember people for a long time. If you want smartest pets you should maybe look at a pig but they get very big and eat a lot of food.
The bird that talks
So, what is the #1 smartest pet? many people say it is the African Grey bird. this bird is not just making noise. it knows what a circle is or what red color is. It is like a small child living in a cage. but they scream very loud. If you live in small apartment in Reykjavik, your neighbors will hate the bird. they live for 50 years so it is a big commitment.
Dogs that work too much
The Border Collie is the dog that everyone says is the top. they are too smart. If you don’t give them a job they will start herding your kids or your cats. They are the smartest pets for people who like to run outside. They know many many words. I saw a video of one dog who knew 1000 toys by name. That is more words than I know in some languages!
Small rats
People think rats are dirty but they are “pocket einsteins”. They love their owners. They can learn to come when you call name. They are smarter than hamsters. Hamsters just run in wheel and do nothing. Rats actually think.
Selection Criteria for the Smartest Pets
When deciding on the smartest pet, consider these dimensions:
- Trainability: How easily the pet learns commands and tricks.
- Problem-Solving Ability: Can it adapt to new situations or puzzles?
- Social Intelligence: Does it understand and respond to human emotions?
- Activity Needs: Does the pet require mental stimulation and interaction?
- Lifespan & Commitment: Consider long-term care requirements, especially for birds and dogs.
Why i think about this
If a pet is smart, you have to talk to it. You can’t just give food and go to sleep. The smartest pets need you to be smart too. I think most people should just get a lazy dog, but if you want a genius, get a parrot or a collie. Just remember to buy them things to do so they don’t eat your sofa. Check the products here if you need stuff for them.
Things I read online (References)
Harvard Gazette: a story about a parrot that was smarter than some university students in a test.
A-Z Animals: they have a list of animals and say which ones are good at learning.
AKC: this is about dogs and which ones are the best at following orders.
Questions People Ask Me
Is my cat stupid because it doesn’t listen?
No, cats are just different. they know what you want but they don’t care. that is a different kind of smart.
What is the easiest smart pet?
Maybe the rat. because they stay in a cage but they still love you. but they don’t live a long time, maybe only 2 or 3 years and then you are sad.
Can i leave a smart dog alone?
No, they will destroy your house. they need to exercise their brain all the time.
Does the parrot really know what it says?
The African Grey does. other parrots maybe just copy sounds like a car alarm or a phone ringing.
