Dog Tips

Are Cats or Dogs Smarter?

Looks like you’re looking for a companion that can help you cheat in exams at home or be trained to do all the household chores for you. Whatever the reason, it’s going to be a tough match here.

In one corner we have the cunning and aloof feline, master of the mysterious stare and stealthy pounce. In the other corner, the loyal and lovable canine, champion of fetch and sniffer of everything. We’ll have to go back a little to the ancient times to get a bit of context here. 

From the Mesopotamian times to the ancient Egyptian times to the times of The Mahabharata and The Ramayana, cats have found mentions and have been accompanying mankind for ages. We domesticated them mostly because of their hunting skills but their intelligence far exceeds than just that. (7)

Dogs on the other hand are believed to be the first species tamed by mankind about 15,000 years ago. Since then, they’ve helped us in hunting, protection, herding, and much more. In today’s times, dogs are rescuing people and helping people cope with depression. They clearly are not just adorable creatures but highly intelligent ones as well. (7)


So, are cats or dogs smarter? Now, the debate of which four-legged pet is smarter has created a divide among pet owners. Some feel that just because dogs are known for their loyalty and trainability, they are smarter than their feline counterparts who are more known to be aloof and independent. However, comparing intelligence is not a simple task.  

Animal intelligence is typically measured in terms of the animal’s ability to perceive, think, and learn from its environment. These can be subjective as they relate to cognitive abilities like problem-solving, as well as memory, decision-making, and even emotional intelligence. And for testing these, an artificial environment must be created, which may not represent the true picture. (3)

Then there is something called as practical ability. A cat is natural at hunting with stealth. Dogs, on the other hand, are good at companionship, herding and agility. A cat’s independence can be seen as a sign of intelligence by some, while a dog’s ability to learn commands and perform tricks can be the same for others. 

Let’s try another textbook method to solve this debate then - 

What is the IQ of a Cat?

Abyssinian

This actually would be a wrong question to ask. IQ as a concept is difficult to assess for any other creatures apart from humans. This is because there are tests developed for measuring it. But unfortunately, they only take answers in human languages. So, unless your dog or cat can speak the same language as you, we wouldn’t know their IQs.

Having said that, a cat’s intelligence can be assessed by studying cognition. Basically, the way animals gather information, process it and then react to it. Here are some findings based on cognition research on cats – (3)

  • Cats will know that an object hasn’t disappeared and is simply kept under the box.

  • They have a working memory and a long-term one. Meaning that once they decide to do something, they will remember it and get it done even if you prevent them from doing so initially.

  • They can tell the difference between different periods of time and quantities. (not talking about math here)

  • They can take cues from human gestures and respond to their moods.

  • They can recognize different human voices and become attached to the ones close to them. 

And then there are all the orange tabby cat videos on the internet showing cats playing basketball, jamming on songs, playing the piano, purposely irritating their humans and much more. 

Having said that, the intelligence levels in cats may vary from one cat to another. One cat may be a master problem solver, and another may be a feline therapist who can instantly recognize your mood and make it better. 

Some cat breeds, however, are known to be smarter than others. These include – (3)

  • Abyssinian

  • Siamese

  • Scottish fold

  • Persian

  • Cornish Rex

What IQ Do Dogs Have? 

Border Collie

The same logic applies here as for cats – We can’t really know a dog’s IQ. Some scientists, however, have suggested that a dog’s brain may be equivalent to that of a 2-year-old human toddler. While dogs possess on average about 530 million neurons in the cortex, cats have only about 250 million. (1) 

To know if your dog is smart, here are some signs you can look for – (4)

  • They are good at training. They learn tricks, commands and cues easily. 

  • They can manipulate you (you read it right). Dogs tend to manipulate humans into things with those adorable dog-eyes of theirs. They can convince you that they’ve not eaten anything and need some treats 5 minutes after someone else has already fed them.

  • They can learn languages – human ones. It is said that an average dog can learn around 165 words. Some even go to 200. 

  • They understand gestures and cues. Some things don’t require training as over 15,000 years of domestication have made dogs evolve into creatures that can understand human cues and gestures. Pointing, signalling to come back, etc. are some examples.  

  • They know where their treats are kept. Dogs understand physical environments and tend to remember the location of valued objects. 

  • They feel things. Both humans and dogs have similar brain structures and hormones like epinephrine and oxytocin. Assuming that dogs are as good as a 2-year-old baby, they must feel emotions like joy, disgust, fear, and anger. Some studies even say that they can feel jealousy and empathy. 

And then again, we’ve seen dogs being trained to use men’s urinals, open doors, guide the visually impaired and much more. Even here, some breeds are known to be smarter than others. These include -  (4)

  • Border Collie

  • Poodle

  • German Shepherd

  • Golden Retriever

  • Doberman Pinscher

  • Labrador Retriever

Are Cats Smarter Than Pigs? 

Siamese

Pigs evolved completely differently from cats. So, their abilities and cognition are expressed in very different ways. The real shocker here is that pigs are not the dirty and dumb animals that most of us think. 

Studies have shown that pigs can feel a variety of emotions. They can resolve conflicts in a group. They are also very social. They use 20 distinct sounds to interact with each other. They even have social preferences within a group. And the biggest shocker of all – they are actually very tidy creatures. They will defecate only in designated areas. The only reason they spend a lot of time in mud is to cool themselves down as they cannot sweat – after which they will clean the mud off by rubbing themselves against a tree. 

While intelligence can mean different to different people, in comparison to cats, pigs are actually considered to be smarter! (we were as shocked to know this). A cat’s brain is considered to be equivalent to a 2-year-old human baby. A pig’s brain, on the other hand, is considered to be similar to that of a 3-year-old baby (don’t think of it as just a year but as 50% more).  (5)

What is the Smartest Dog? 

Border Collie

If you look at the top 5 smartest dog breeds in the world, you’ll see the names changing from rank 2 to rank 5 in different lists. But rank 1 will always be the same – Border Collie. 

To justify this, a Border Collie named Chaser holds a record for learning the meaning of 1000 proper nouns as compared to 160 for any other average dog. (6)

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Are cats or dogs smarter? Cats and dogs both are smart in their own ways. But you might want to think again if you’re smart enough if you haven’t already got pet health insurance for your four-legged buddy. 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

  • Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.

  • Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget. 

  • Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.

Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services. 

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.

Sources

1. Dubey, A. (n.d.). Are Dogs Smarter than Cats? Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/are-dogs-smarter-than-cats

3. Coates, J., DVM. (2023, September 15). How smart are cats? PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-smart-are-cats

4. LaMon, V., DVM. (2023, August 30). How smart are dogs? PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-smart-are-dogs

6. Bauhaus, J. M. (2024, January 1). Top 20 smartest dog breeds. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-care/smartest-dog-breeds/

7. Mark, J. J., & Yamamura, K. (2022). Cats in the Ancient World. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/466/cats-in-the-ancient-world/

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