GP IQ

[eppingstrider]

How smart are guinea pigs, as animals go?

I remember I found a pet IQ test on an old BBC childrens site last year (it was at least three years old then) and it seemed to indicate that most GP owners said their pet understood about 1 command, compared with dog owners 10 or more. At that stage I would give a big 0 for my GPs understanding of commands!

This week Fred has shown me he understands grass time. The cage part comes off the tray part of their home and goes out onto the grass. Then I tap the top of the chube and he comes out to sit in it to be transported in comfort out to the run! This has been going on all week, and yesterday we managed to do the reverse trick - I tapped the top of the chube when they had to come in, and after a few misses, he came in and waited to be transported home! He also investigated my feet before he did this...

I think this shows intelligence......

[Hugs-Cavies (Doris)]

They are alot more intelligent than people give them credit for.

Most of ours know their names. Some answer to them, some choose not to.

Gabriel, our blind boy, well he comes when I call him, he understands "home time boy" and "go find the girls"

Our late biscuit did the IQ test, and he came up quite high. Not sure if its the same one you found, but it involved one of biscuits favourite things - food!

Our late Rolo understood the command "up" and would beg for treats.

I think each piggie is different, but generally they are pretty intelligent.

[PigPog]

I think guinea pigs have their own level of intelligence as a species.

For example, they generally know when their regular feeding times are and choose to make noise at this time. Some of them also respond when called by name, while others groom their owners. They have enough nouse to know when they feel safe around their humans. Guinea pigs also have their own communication system which takes some level of intelligence in the first place.

It's probably not quite as simple as measuring their intelligence by asking them to respond to commands because there are different ways that intelligence manifests intself and although dogs might respond to command, we can't assume pigs aren't as intelligent because they have their own ways of expressing themselves.

[Hugs-Cavies (Doris)]

What you say Pigpog is very true, the fact they learn off each other also shows intelligence.

Begging has radiated round our flat, starting with Rolo, no one knows where he learnt it from, but he has taught many a pig to do this, we still have beggers even now, and Rolo has been gone a year!! The first thing Oliver did was teach his new cagemate Rumour to beg!

I think they are intelligent, but not necessarily in ways that we can see, and I think thats why people don't realise how intelligent these creatures are.

[Bob - Hugs Cavies]

I think they are cleverer than you think sometimes, they can sense if you are sad - I had a minor op and was not feeling that great and Doris brought in the original Harry to see me and he sat down and cuddled up next to me

They also seem to understand the difference between a weekend and a weekday

[cashmincal]

yes I think guinea pigs are clever They wheek when I call out "guinea pigs", wheek when you rattle bags, etc, surely this shows to me intelligence? My late Crystal was very clever. I miss that wee sow

[Tanya's Tribbles]

Guinea pigs are very clever they can tricks and all sorts of things.
Tanya

[warren]

I agree following commands doesn't indicate IQ. A dog would score well as they can be taught commands and they try to please. A cat, on the other hand, will not do anything s/he doesn't want to do. But they will certainly command the owner what to do!!!

I had a cat that would smack me around the ankle - really hard - in the morning if I even just dared to put the kettle on before getting his food.

[eppingstrider]

You're right. I think the quiz I saw said that cats displayed intelligence by refusing to do the tests!

[1toni2007]

i think piggys show there iq by doing what they want to do