[Liquidtruth]

Certainly they do, I have seen nothing to suggest otherwise. You do not have to hang around with pet owners for long before you start to see how the animal can understand them. If an animal was as stupid as some say, "go outside" would have no meaning, yet it apparently does. Take note of a cat, for instance, often times cats do things their owners do not approve of. To think the cat simply does not understand does not explain their behavior. My cousin's cat will sneak up on another cat (also belonging to my cousin), take note that their (my cousin) owner is watching them and realize their owner does not like when they pick on the poor girl who does not want to get laid. The cat will turn around and pretend that they were not planning anything at all, constantly checking back to see if the owner is watching. When the owner turns their head, the cat goes on to do what it knows the owner will dislike. Soon as the cat realizes the owner's attention is back on them, they seem to understand they just did something wrong, because they bolt.

This shows an ability to reason, a knowledge of self and personal wants, knowledge of others and their wants, and in summary, certainly shows conscious thought.