August 12, 2025, 11:50 am | Read time: 5 minutes
A simple test that supposedly shows the intelligence of cats is currently going viral on social media: Cat owners form a circle with their thumb and forefinger in front of a treat in their hand—and film how long it takes for the cat to figure out how to get the reward. The faster the cat reacts, the “smarter” it is said to be. PETBOOK editor and pet expert Louisa Stoeffler conducts the test with editorial cat Remo and explains why the cat IQ test is worthless.
How the Viral Cat IQ Test Works
The setup of the test is simple and can be seen in countless Instagram videos and TikToks:
- The person’s hand is open, with a treat resting in the middle.
- A circle is formed in front of the treat with the thumb and forefinger, like a small “hole” through which the cat can see, but mainly smell, the treat.
- Now, the cat’s reaction is observed (and filmed!). Some sniff and try to stick their nose through the “hole,” or fish with their paw. Others stare at it for minutes or try to reach the goal by “headbutting.” Eventually, the videos end with the cat stretching its head up and taking the treat from the open palm, which it could have reached all along.
- Depending on how long it takes for the cat to get the treat, this is supposed to indicate how intelligent the animal is.
The comments under the videos quickly overflow with terms like “so dumb.” Statements like “No brain, just floof” or “IQ test failed” are also common. Particularly often, it involves a specific fur color, to which personal characteristics are attributed: “An orange cat would have bitten the hand.”
However, others also try to explain the behavior: “For those who think this cat is dumb: The cat recognizes food by its smell and not by its appearance. Because it wants to make sure it’s food and not poison,” reads a comment under a TikTok. This attempt at explanation is on the right track, but there’s more going on here.
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Why This “Cat IQ Test” Has Nothing to Do with Intelligence
As a pet expert, I can say: The test says little to nothing about a cat’s cognitive abilities—but all the more about our misunderstanding of cat thinking and perception.
Unfamiliar Situation
The test relies on a setup that is atypical for cats. In everyday life, there are hardly any situations for them where a hand doesn’t pet them, or simply gives them the treat. They simply don’t know what to make of it. This is not a sign of a lack of intelligence, but rather shows that they can’t make sense of the situation and try to solve it instinctively.
Different Sense in Use
What the TikTok comment alludes to is partly true: At close range, they rely less on their eyes and more on their sense of smell. The treat is not clearly visible to them, and the first thing they often do is stick their nose through the fingers to locate the scent.
This is a strategy that helps cats in the wild to locate and pounce on mice and other prey in the dark. That’s why you shouldn’t try it if your cat doesn’t have good impulse control, as you might end up with a claw in your palm.
Misinterpretation by Humans
The test says little to nothing about a cat’s cognitive abilities—but it does label the cat as dumb by human standards for clicks and likes, without truly understanding it.
The audience assumes it should be easy to get the treat—which is why it seems so silly. But this is not about the cat’s intelligence. It’s more about the naturally short attention span of cats.
Self-Experiment with My Cat
Of course, I couldn’t resist trying the trend with my cat. Not because I want to be a pet influencer, but because I was curious. I placed the treat in my open hand, formed a circle with my fingers—camera rolling.
Remo’s reaction? He showed behavior that was typical of him, trying to see what I was doing with my hand. He tried to push it down to get directly to the treat. Maybe it’s because he usually gets what he wants. He sniffed at the opening and tried with his paw. And he did something else that I’ve seen a few times in the videos. This is often humorously commented on with: “One brain cell, zero effort” or “Bro, zero effort.” But it’s not about the cat’s intelligence. It’s more about the naturally short attention span of cats.
After about a minute, he leaned over my hand and took the treat. It showed that he wasn’t impressed by viral trends, but rather that he had done a good job using his sense of smell. In the end, it didn’t say much about his intelligence—except maybe that he doesn’t get easily impressed by viral trends.
Opinion
Louisa Stoeffler has been keeping cats since 2003. She also enjoys trying out viral tricks with her cat, Remo. In addition to caring for her pet, she also advises owners on all “furry” questions.