Yeah, Chad, I've had this chat with other cat-people. They all 'mystify' these poor beasts and impart great powers to what is essentially a dumb animal. In one test, dogs will recognize themselves in a mirror, but cats? Forgetit!
Don't forget, I've owned several cats over the years, but never a dog. by choice.
Cats are mechanically clever. You can teach the essentially neat cat to use a flush toilet.
Innovative....they'll mess with something until they get a result. and remember.
Users. Once you are 'on staff' they'll expect good service
But, I've seen a cat back up to an outlet and let fly. Big 'explosion' with breaker popping and a terrified, running cat. It did it the next day, again, just to be sure?
Some anti-cat humor is simply unfunny. make the same joke about a dog and you'll get raked. You'd be better off with a Scottsman / Sheep joke.
I think that WILD and big cats may be smarter. They are under different pressures than what is pretty much a domestic animal...the 'house cat'. Just like wolves may be smarter than domestic canines, and some sub-dog forms like the Chihuahua.