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Are Dogs Smarter Than Cats?
the daily dish
Dog lovers and cat lovers may never stop arguing over the relative merits of their respective favorite pets, and one of the most hotly contested questions continues to be the debate over who's smarter: dogs or cats?
A recent Wall Street Journal essay has dredged up the old argument once again. The essay decidedly favors dogs when it comes to comparing their intelligence to cats, and canines seem to have science backing up their argument.
Traditionally, the cat's curiosity and sly independence have been considered by many to indicate a superior intelligence. Their apparent lack of great need for attention or approval makes them appear able to live life quite well mostly on their own, and therefore they may seem smarter than dogs. After all, cats don't need their owners to usher them outside just to be able to use the "bathroom," unlike dogs.
But the WSJ argues that science has shown on numerous occasions all the ways that dog brains beat out cat brains. A 2004 University of Portsmouth study showed the ability of dogs to use reason, understanding of human language and process of elimination to make decisions in a way that far outstripped almost all other animals, let alone cats. Other studies in recent years, at the University of Moncton in Canada and the University of Hungary, observed dogs' superior memory, and their ability to copy human problem-solving techniques in certain situations.
As for a cat's independence, a 2010 Oxford University study showed that it's precisely the cat's independent nature that holds it back intellectually, reports OpposingViews.com. The study found that social animals evolve bigger brains, and evolve them at a faster rate, than less social animals. Dogs, being among nature's most social animals, and bred over time to be "man's best friend," have larger brains than cats, and therefore, a capacity for superior intelligence.
It may be true that cats are generally more solitary, lower-maintenance and all-around easier to care for than dogs, but that could be the very reason they lose the debate over intelligence versus dogs. Maybe if cats would deign to socialize with their owners a little more often, they'd gain some brain power.
What do you think? Do you agree that your dogs are smarter than your cats, or do you still think those crafty cats are just tricking scientists into thinking dogs are smarter?
THE WORLD'S SMARTEST ANIMALS:
A recent Wall Street Journal essay has dredged up the old argument once again. The essay decidedly favors dogs when it comes to comparing their intelligence to cats, and canines seem to have science backing up their argument.
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Traditionally, the cat's curiosity and sly independence have been considered by many to indicate a superior intelligence. Their apparent lack of great need for attention or approval makes them appear able to live life quite well mostly on their own, and therefore they may seem smarter than dogs. After all, cats don't need their owners to usher them outside just to be able to use the "bathroom," unlike dogs.
But the WSJ argues that science has shown on numerous occasions all the ways that dog brains beat out cat brains. A 2004 University of Portsmouth study showed the ability of dogs to use reason, understanding of human language and process of elimination to make decisions in a way that far outstripped almost all other animals, let alone cats. Other studies in recent years, at the University of Moncton in Canada and the University of Hungary, observed dogs' superior memory, and their ability to copy human problem-solving techniques in certain situations.
As for a cat's independence, a 2010 Oxford University study showed that it's precisely the cat's independent nature that holds it back intellectually, reports OpposingViews.com. The study found that social animals evolve bigger brains, and evolve them at a faster rate, than less social animals. Dogs, being among nature's most social animals, and bred over time to be "man's best friend," have larger brains than cats, and therefore, a capacity for superior intelligence.
It may be true that cats are generally more solitary, lower-maintenance and all-around easier to care for than dogs, but that could be the very reason they lose the debate over intelligence versus dogs. Maybe if cats would deign to socialize with their owners a little more often, they'd gain some brain power.
What do you think? Do you agree that your dogs are smarter than your cats, or do you still think those crafty cats are just tricking scientists into thinking dogs are smarter?
THE WORLD'S SMARTEST ANIMALS:
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41 Comments
Biased cat owners... Just one question to you.
May 10 2013 at 7:51 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHave you ever seen a police cat, search and rescue cat?!
Dogs obey commands and orders. Cats aren't stupid enough to take orders and are they're own. Which would you rather be? An idiot taking orders or an independent being who doesn't need others to be strong.
April 28 2013 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replypfffffttt lol
Friday at 5:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDogs obey commands because they are loyal and they serve their master, cats are the most pointless pets ever, just sit there and wait to be fed.
Which would you rather have as a pet, a follower that is willing to put his neck on the line for you or a pointless mass that occupies your home?
cats are far smarter than dogs! when u kick a dog, it'll be like begging, or sometimes doing stupid things like rolling over your feet even! but if u kick a cat, it'll go off, and find somewhere to hide...sometimes being annoying, cats will find a place to climb and licking its paw above u! HOW SMART IS A CAT!!!
April 28 2013 at 12:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replycats are like a nature's intelligence! cats are a superior 'naturally intelligent' being compared to any animals! cats doesn't need anyone to teach them, cats are independently intelligent, smart and well-being...elegance, style, love, passion its all cats trait!
April 27 2013 at 11:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyPeople can train Dogs, Cats can train people...
February 12 2013 at 2:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDon't get me wrong, I am a dog owner and she is smarter than most people I know...
Cats are far smarter than dogs, no matter what spin the mainstream media want to put on this issue. Dogs come back if you kick them, and they will suck up to anyone. You have to EARN a cat's love and respect, and you lose them if you don't treat the cat with love and respect. That's a clear indicator of superior intelligence, as is the refusal to do stupid things by rote, as dogs do. As for being antisocial, this is another totally erroneous old wives' tale. Cats are extremely social and bond deeply to their own family members, other cats (and even -- horrors -- dogs! and other animals, including humans) they love, and their caregivers. In feral colonies, cats bond very deeply, as well. Cats have been observed coming to the aid of other cats, members of other species, and, of course, humans. Cats find their way to locations they have been familiar with from great distances, often over long periods of time. There's no comparison between the intelligence of cats (superior) and dogs (very inferior).
February 12 2013 at 1:30 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyCats are pretty smart. I've seen acts where cats have been trained to do some complex things. I've trained my cat to do a number of things (to reply when I speak to him, to come when I say "come here." He knows a lot of words (treat, outside, birdy, bedies, mamma, daddy), so I truly think that cats are as trainable as dogs.
February 12 2013 at 11:25 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI don't know, I think you could train a cat to do the same tricks as a dog. I've taught my cat to do a number of things just by repetition, and I think If I trained him, like you would a dog, to sit up or shake hands, he would be able to learn it.
February 12 2013 at 11:21 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI have two cats and they are both very intelligent and very loving. My male cat know where I keep his treats and he taught himself how to open the cabinet to get them, which of course meant I have to find a new place to put them. Also if he hears someone outside my door in the middle of the night he growls and acts like he is protecting his home (perhaps he thinks he is a dog who knows). When I'm sick or upset they try to cheer me up. I have had them since they were kittens and I think depending on how to talk to them and treat them makes a difference. Cats are amazing animals.
February 12 2013 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyOpening cabinets? Sounds like one of the cats I used to have. She learned to open the cabinet and pull out the can food; she would sit there and look at us with the can of food at her feet.
February 12 2013 at 12:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe also had a dainty cat that could pick up the dry food bits out of the bucket we kept it and eat them with her paws.
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February 12 2013 at 10:23 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply