Cats vs dogs: who is smarter from a scientific point of view?

In this article we will look at cats and dogs: who is better, who to choose and how to find certain qualities in your animals.

Quite often, various disputes arise between owners of different animals, for example, who is smarter than cats or dogs, who is better among pets, who is better to have, etc. Each owner protects his pet and tries to present it in the best possible light, while it is worth remembering that dogs and cats are very different animals, and each has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the differences between these animals in the article.

Are dogs smarter than cats?

For many centuries, there has been an ongoing debate between cat and dog lovers around the world about which of these animals is smarter.

For a very long time, the main evidence that dogs are smarter than cats was their ability to train. To analyze human speech, dogs, like humans, use different areas of the brain.

So, in the left hemisphere of the dog’s brain, the meaning of words heard is processed. The right hemisphere evaluates the intonation with which the words addressed to the pet were spoken. Dogs have the ability to recognize newly heard words and associate them with a specific object or action.

However, scientists from Japan conducted studies of cats and came to the conclusion that they can also remember the words, voice and intonation of their owners. Later, similar studies were carried out by scientists from the USA. They confirmed the findings of their Japanese colleagues.

In addition, they conducted a number of experiments aimed at studying cat abilities. For example, they decided to determine whether cats would remember after some time which bowl still had food left and which did not.

The results surprised them! It turned out that cats remember everything that happens to them!

Interesting Facts

Human friendship with dogs and cats is measured not in years, but in millennia. The former were domesticated more than 30 thousand years ago, the latter - 10 thousand years ago.

Over the many years of their devotion to people, dogs have mastered many professions well: hunter, shepherd and watchman. Over the years, these horizons have expanded. Dogs began to be used as driving force. And these days they may well be police officers, rescuers, guides, sappers and even postmen.

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Cats, according to most dog lovers, are practically useless, but this is not true. In ancient Egypt, they were tamed to fight mice that stole grain reserves. Today, some “purrs” have forgotten a little about their purpose, and prefer reclining on a comfortable sofa to hunting.

How to determine the level of intelligence?

When it was proven that the level of intelligence development of both dogs and cats is quite high, scientists from a private research university in Nashville (USA) conducted a series of experiments aimed at studying the size and characteristics of the brains of cats and dogs.

It turned out that the size of the brain in dogs is approximately 1.2% of the total weight. Cats have a slightly smaller brain: about 0.9% of their total body weight.

In addition, it was found that the level of intelligence depends not only on the size of the animal’s brain, but also on the number of cortical neurons present in the cerebral cortex and responsible for processing, storing and transmitting data.

Scientists believe that animals with more of these neurons have better developed abilities to think, analyze and plan further actions. It turned out that the cerebral cortex of cats contains half as many cortical neurons as that of dogs: 250 million versus 530.

Differences in the cerebral cortex

Most fans of the cat family believe that cats are smarter than dogs. This is evidenced by differences in the cerebral cortex: cats have twice as many neurons as dogs. The latter have to constantly follow the owner, faithfully carrying out his instructions, while cats are self-sufficient.

Representatives of the cat family have much better developed sensorimotor intellectual abilities. This means that they are more sensitive and precise in their movements; if necessary, such animals can hunt large individuals relative to their own size.

Successful hunting is the goal of life for such pets. That is why even domestic animals living within four walls are constantly training: chasing toys, playfully attacking a person - all this indicates the instinctive honing of the hunter’s skills.

Rational intelligence is another characteristic feature of furry pets. Cats can be smart in those things that are truly useful to them, and completely dull in those matters that do not interest them. Such selectivity speaks of creative intelligence (the so-called reproductive intelligence is found in dogs, which simply mechanically reproduce previously learned information).

This is interesting: How many days can cats walk?

How are cats different from dogs?

Cats are completely different from dogs. Here are just the main differences:

1. Cats prefer a more solitary lifestyle. Of course, they do not avoid human society. But unlike “social” dogs, which adapt well to the company of people and are ready to be in it around the clock, cats need rest on their own.
2. Cats are excellent manipulators. The dog will wait for approval from the owner in any situation. This is completely unusual for cats. They will demand, and not ask for, what they need, and for this they are ready to go to any lengths.
3. Cats behave more attentively and cautiously. Without exception, all cats who find themselves in an unfamiliar place will first look around and make sure that they are not in danger, and only then will find a place to rest. Unlike dogs, cats will never approach a person or object that is unfamiliar to them.
4. Cats are more selective than dogs in choosing information. Thus, cats usually pay attention only to what interests them, and are indifferent to what is completely uninteresting to them.
5. Cats have excellent sensorimotor intelligence. Their movements are more precise and graceful than those of dogs. In addition, even domestic cats still have a strong hunting instinct. In addition, they are able to hunt prey many times larger than themselves.

Protect the individual and family

Categories of guards include pinschers, schnauzers, and hounds. Representatives not recognized by the classification are also noted:

• American Bandog;
• Moscow watchdog.

Any dog ​​that has completed canine training will not leave its owner and family in trouble. The Yorkie will stop seeming cute and playful, considering the situation around him dangerous. Small breeds are capable of getting scared, running away, hiding, or they can rush at the offender, grabbing onto an element of clothing, trying to bite through the flesh. Barking is a well-known deterrent that seems insignificant, but in reality it will help scare away a thief.

Mental abilities of cats

Most people who do not have knowledge of felinology consider cats to be selfish, vindictive, not very smart animals that are attached not to the owner, but to the house.

Feline scientists have proven that this is a myth. Among the mental abilities of cats that distinguish them from other animals are the following:

1. Cats usually perform certain actions in a certain order.
2. According to its mental abilities, a cat can be equated to a 3-year-old child.
3. Cats are very attentive and cautious, so they do not like all kinds of moving, noisy companies and unfamiliar places.
4. Cats quickly learn what they really need and simply ignore what does not interest them.

What dogs can do

People have never doubted the mental abilities of dogs. True, they differ among representatives of different breeds.

This is interesting! Service breeds and mixed breeds are recognized as the most highly intelligent. The least intelligent are chow chows or hounds.

Dogs have the following abilities:

1. Dogs can remember about 250 words and even gestures, can learn to count to 5 and solve the simplest mathematical problems.
2. Dogs have an excellent memory and some rudiments of logic.
3. Dogs quickly adapt to life with a specific person and try to imitate him, repeating some of his habits.
4. Dogs have an extremely low level of sense of danger - they are brave, and in unexpected situations they are very enterprising.

Friends of Man

A dog, by right, confirmed over the years, is considered a friend of man. The pet does not betray, serves faithfully for years, and is ready to give his life for his family. If you are looking for a true friend, choose a dog over a cat! Trusted four-legged friends are called the category of companions. Groups included here:

• terriers,
• retrievers,
• indoor and decorative.

Representatives of unaffected groups will be able to join the friendly atmosphere at home. This will be helped by competent upbringing and training of your pet. Parenting lessons include socialization, communication with people, children. A tamed animal will get used to its owner, fall in love, and become a friend.

Who is smarter - cats or dogs?

Various studies by cynologists and felinologists have not helped determine who is smarter. Despite the fact that dogs' brains are larger and contain more cortical neurons that influence mental abilities, dogs still cannot be considered smarter.

Most scientists from different countries agreed that it is almost impossible to objectively assess the intelligence of dogs and cats using these indicators:

• they belong to completely different species, so they think and behave differently;
• cats are more difficult to study;
• All cats are capable of developing and learning new things on their own.

Comparison of intelligences

Probably every owner wants to know what the level of intelligence of his cat or dog is. To do this, you can compare the individual skills of both.

Who has the better memory?

Who is smarter - cats or dogs and why? Some believe that cats have a much better developed memory, because they are the ones who are able to take offense at a person for a long time, as well as show their dissatisfaction and resentment in various ways. However, here again, lovers of these animals make a mistake.

Canadian scientists conducted an interesting study: in front of two animal representatives, they hid delicious food in one of the boxes (there were four boxes). The dog remembered exactly where the treat was and could easily find it even after a few minutes, while other animals forgot about it almost immediately. The conclusion suggests itself.

However, these pets' good memory does not extend to all situations. Other researchers conducted an equally interesting experiment in which animals were asked to find a treat in a fairly large maze. It turned out that rats and wolves orient themselves in space much better, which means that the possibilities of dogs are not unlimited. There is one note here: as soon as the four-legged friend has seen how the owner solves a certain problem in one way or another, he can remember the algorithm and cope with the task on his own.