Are Himalayan Cats Dumb – It’s A Myth!

You just moved into your own apartment and are looking for a low-maintenance companion to keep you company. You want a pet to snuggle with when you are home during your off time but is independent enough to enjoy a more low-profile lifestyle while you are away. There are many different breeds of cats with specific temperaments and common personalities. You come across the Himalayan cat breed as you are doing your research. The common concern with this breed is, “Are Himalayan cats dumb?”

Himalayan cats are not dumb. It’s a common misconception when it comes to the Himalayan cat breed is that they are dumb and lazy. It all depends on how they are raised.

Knowing that different cat breeds come in all shapes and sizes and have vast ranges of intelligence, you may be wondering where the Himalayan’s rank is when it comes to trainability and independence. Let’s dive deeper into this theory of whether or not Himalayan cats are less intelligent than other cat breeds.

Where do Himalayan cats rank in comparison to other cat breeds?

Himalayan cats are considered one of the top five dumbest cat breeds. However, I genuinely believe this depends on the owner’s perspective.

Veterinarians and animal trainers have come up with methods to test feline intelligence, but whether there is any weight to these findings is up to the cat’s owners to decide. In my experience, the intelligence of a feline depends on the interactions they have with their humans and their environment. 

Common concerns with unintelligent feline breeds

1. Are they independent enough to be left alone for several hours at a time? 

• If your cat cannot find their water and food bowl or their litter box when you aren’t around, how will they be able to sustain themselves while you are gone for work or school? This is a valid concern when it comes to living a single lifestyle or when you know your cat will be alone for 10-12 hours a day. 
• It is important to remember that this cat breed relies heavily on consistency. Although they may not be the brightest felines, providing them with a common, easy place to find their food, water, shelter (bed), and bathroom is the best way to accommodate their lack of wit.
• Also, remember that cats will often sleep up to 20 hours a day, so this may not be as much of a concern as you’d think. They are more likely to sleep the day away than worry themselves with food and water.

1. If there are other animals in the house, such as a dog, are they smart enough to find a safe escape from them if need be?

• House cats’ biggest rivals are other pets. It is not common for them to experience any other threats if they are kept solely within the four walls of your home. It is still essential for them to be able to get somewhere they feel safe enough to relax so that they aren’t anxiously running around all day trying to avoid the playful nature of another animal.
• This can be a cause for concern when it comes to the less intelligent breeds such as the Himalayan. Cats are typically less likely to win a fight with a dog as they are not necessarily known for their strength and brute. If there are going to be other animals in the home, it may be best to consider a less timid, more evasive cat breed in this case. This may not be as much of a concern as a single pet home.

1. Does their lack of intelligence affect their willingness to be affectionate to their owners?

• Himalayans are known to be very calm, loyal to their family, and affectionate. However, their lack of brains can cause them to be more reserved and cautious in the beginning. With this breed, trust and affection take time and effort on your part. Himalayans typically think long and hard about their decisions, such as trusting people or other animals.
• They are known to enjoy being alone in calm, quiet environments, so to the right cat parents, this might be a perk. When you are home, it is possible to train your cat to come around for affection; it just takes time to build the trust and bond between you and your Himalayan. 

How do Himalayan cats show their intelligence?

Himalayans have several ways they like to show their intelligence: talking or yapping at their surroundings and their owners, responding to their owner’s voice, the way they show affection, the fact they are easily trained to use a litter box, and their curious, playful side.

Their talkative side

Once a Himalayan cat is comfortable and trusts you and their surroundings, their true personalities show through. Although they enjoy a quiet, serene home, they also enjoy spending time with their owners too. 

Their responsiveness to their owners

They are also known to respond to their owner’s voice when called. In time they learn their name when they are called and the routines that surround them. This makes for a great apartment cat because they like the quiet, yet they also appreciate their affection from their owners when they are home.

Ability to be litter box trained

I’ve personally owned several different breeds of cats throughout my life, and I have never had an issue litter box training them. This is an essential learned behavior when it comes to owning a cat, especially when you are in and out of your home a lot and aren’t always around to monitor them. Himalayans show their intelligence by quickly learning how to use a litter box and locate it in the house.

They show great curiosity and playfulness

Himalayans are often considered dumb, but are they really? Could they be so inquisitive that they take their sweet time figuring out the next course of action to take? They may be slow to the draw, but it’s because they are analyzing everything. They are very curious about their surroundings and can often be seen fidgeting with things around them. They remind me of the Eeyore character from the kid show Winnie the Pooh: very slow yet very deep thinkers.

Are Himalayans able to be trained?

Yes! These cats are known to be trainable to walk on a leash, use their litter box, and respond when their owners call for them.

As with any pet, training must be a consistent, practiced activity. If you want your Himalayan to learn their name or learn to walk on a leash, practice makes perfect! Treating them with affection and their favorite feline treat when they do what is asked of them is a great incentive for these cats. 

Again, in my experience, training a cat to use a litter box has never been a difficult task, but walking on a leash and responding when called can be a more challenging event. Felines, in general, are known to be extremely stubborn and typically tend to live life at their own pace. Himalayans are especially slow, and every activity is thoroughly calculated. Patience and consistency are your best bet at training this breed to do the tasks you are asking of them.

Final Thoughts

Although this breed is rated as one of the least intelligent cat breeds, I suggest you meet one before counting them entirely out. Felines are very hard to gauge when it comes to intelligence because they are so often independent and known to live life one moment at a time. 

Slow and steady wins the race with this breed of cat. Consistency and patience are the keys to owning one of these fur babies. If raised in the right environment, they can be a very loving and rewarding cat breed.