As the two most popular pets worldwide, cats and dogs are often compared. From discussions about which makes the better companion to which is the ultimate cuddler, the debate extends to the classic question of which animal is smarter.
Dog lovers often highlight canines’ trainability, while cat enthusiasts point to their pets’ independence and problem-solving skills.
Though pet owners can argue the strengths of each species endlessly, scientists have also weighed in. While studies comparing the intelligence of cats and dogs aren’t as abundant as we might hope, the available research provides some insight into the ongoing question: are cats smarter than dogs?
Cat Brain vs Dog Brain
The question of which domestic species is smarter isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. While human intelligence can be gauged through IQ tests, there is no clear-cut method to assess an animal’s overall intelligence. While we can make comparisons between human intelligence and that of other animals, comparing animals to one another is far more complex. Brian Hare from Duke University explains this well, stating, “Asking which species is smarter is like asking if a hammer is a better tool than a screwdriver. Each tool is designed for a specific problem, so it depends on the problem you’re trying to solve.”
Cats and dogs evolved in distinct ways to meet their unique survival needs. With different physical traits and behaviors, each species faced specific challenges and adapted with specialized solutions. The cats and dogs we know today are the products of that evolutionary problem-solving. It’s impossible to claim one is inherently smarter than the other without considering all aspects of intelligence and ensuring a fair comparison. So far, scientists have yet to find a perfect method to do so. Since intelligence is measured from a human perspective, it’s hard to design a truly impartial test for cats and dogs.
However, there are studies that highlight certain types of intelligence, offering a general sense of which animal excels in particular cognitive areas.
Counting Neurons as a Measure of Intelligence
One way scientists have tried to measure animal intelligence is by comparing the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions like memory, thought processes, and decision-making. Researchers believe that the more neurons an animal has, the more cognitively capable it is. Neurologist Suzana Herculano-Houzel explains, “Neurons are the basic information processing units. The more units you find in the brain, the more cognitively capable the animal is.” To count neurons, Herculano-Houzel conducted an experiment in which she counted the number of suspended neuron cells in liquefied brain tissue from various species. The animals used in the study had all died naturally and were donated to science. Among the species included in her research were one cat, one Golden Retriever, and one small mixed-breed dog.
The results showed that, among domestic pets, the Golden Retriever had the highest number of neurons, with 623 million. The small breed dog followed, and the cat’s brain contained 250 million neurons.
These findings suggest that dogs might have superior cognitive abilities, but there are other factors to consider. One key issue is how brain size correlates with intelligence.
Previous studies have indicated that larger brains generally contain more neurons, and thus, might correlate with higher intelligence. This was supported by a 2014 study on an animal’s ability to exercise self-control. While cats weren’t part of that research, the findings suggested that larger brains are linked to better self-control, which in turn suggests enhanced cognitive function.
However, Herculano-Houzel’s experiment revealed that larger animals with bigger brains, like brown bears, had fewer neurons than smaller animals. This has led researchers to call for further studies to better understand the role of brain size in intelligence.
Another important consideration is that counting neurons doesn’t prove that all the neurons are actively being used. For instance, while a Golden Retriever has approximately 623 million neurons, this doesn’t tell us whether the dog is utilizing its full cognitive potential.
