- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you’re anything like us, watching TikToks and Instagram reels of cats “outsmarting” dogs is one of your favorite ways to pass some spare time. Yet while many cats are undeniably smart cookies, experts say cats aren’t necessarily “smarter” than dogs.
“It’s almost impossible to say if one pet is ‘smarter’ than the other because cats and dogs show intelligence in different ways,” says Susan Nilson, an accredited cat and dog training and behavior expert at The Cat and Dog House. “There are lots of different ways to measure intelligence. What we think of as ‘smart’ really depends on what we’re looking for.”
Cats and dogs have a similar brain structure to humans. They have a hippocampus for learning and memory, an amygdala for identifying threats, and a cerebral cortex for problem-solving and decision-making.
There are some differences, though. For example, a dog’s cerebral cortex has about twice as many neurons, or brain nerve cells, as a cat’s. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a dog is twice as smart—it may simply mean their brains are designed for different tasks!
Read on to learn more about the different ways dogs and cats show off their smarts, plus get expert-approved training tips to maximize your pet’s intelligence.
How Do Cats Show Their Intelligence?
Cats haven’t been studied in a lab setting as much as dogs, so science is still playing catch-up. But we know that cats may show off their intelligence in some of the following ways.
Social intelligence
While dogs have a reputation as “man’s best friend,” don’t discount a cat’s social intelligence. “Cats are absolutely capable of being social and forming bonds with humans,” says Beth Brown, a certified cat and dog behavior consultant and owner of Ear to Tail.
For example, a small study of 20 cats found that cats can distinguish their person’s voice from the voices of strangers. Another study suggests cats can recognize familiar cats by name, although it remains unclear how they learn names without training.
Memory
Experts don’t yet know how well cats can remember people and events long-term, but it’s very clear they can quickly commit important details to memory—especially when those details concern food!
In one study, researchers introduced cats to four different food bowls but only allowed them to eat from two. The researchers removed the cats from the room for 15 minutes and replaced the food bowls with empty ones.
The cats spent more time exploring bowls they’d previously eaten from, which suggests they can remember “what” and “where” information after a single event.
Communication skills
Cats have their own ways of communicating, from headbutts and tail swishes to slow blinks. But some cats can also understand what you’re trying to tell them.
For instance, cats can follow pointing gestures to find food. They can also tell the difference between human facial expressions and may even change their behavior in response to the emotional messages they receive from their people.
Problem-solving
“Cats are great at hunting, problem-solving, and navigating tricky spaces,” Nilson says.
Cats have object permanence, which is the ability to remember where something is, even if it’s out of sight. This problem-solving skill lets them understand when a mouse is hiding inside a hole—and that the treats are in the cabinet.
How Do Dogs Show Their Intelligence?
On the canine side of the coin, dogs may show off their intelligence in the following ways.
Social intelligence
Dogs were one of the first known animals ever to be domesticated by humans, so their brains are uniquely skilled at decoding social cues.
“They pick up body language cues that we humans don’t even realize we’re showing,” Brown says. For example, your dog may not understand that eating underwear is bad for them. But they can recognize you’re unhappy based on the tension in your shoulders or your frowning face. Dogs can see this difference in your behavior and respond to it, Brown explains.
Memory
Many dogs are good at remembering words and commands. The average dog can remember about 165 words. Some research also indicates that dogs have an episodic-like memory that makes it possible for them recall past experiences.
One study tested a group of dogs by training them to repeat a small set of actions when they heard the command “repeat.” Then, the researchers tested dogs on their ability to remember and repeat their actions in everyday situations.
When the dogs heard the command, they could still repeat their actions, even after delays ranging from a few seconds to an hour.
Communication skills
You probably know how to read your dog’s body language cues, like a wagging tail for happiness or pulled-back ears for fear. But dogs can also pick up on your communication cues.
One study indicated that dogs can match emotional sounds to the right facial expressions.
In the study, researchers showed dogs pictures of human or dog faces displaying either happy or angry expressions. At the same time, researchers played a vocalization that was either positive, negative, or neutral.
The dogs stared longer at the photo that matched the emotional cue of the sound. In other words, the dogs could match a “happy” or “mad” sound to the right facial expression.
Problem solving
Like cats, dogs also understand the concept of “object permanence,” which allows them to do cute tricks like playing the shell game.
Many dogs also excel at challenges like puzzle toys or hide-and-seek, but some evidence also suggests that dogs know when to ask for help. When faced with a task they can’t solve, dogs will gaze at humans for guidance.
Can Training Boost Your Pet’s Intelligence?
Brown and Nilson both agree that training your pet can sharpen their intelligence. “When dogs and cats regularly face challenges, they get better at figuring things out,” Nilson says.
You can exercise your pet’s brain through the following methods:
- Teach them tricks: Activities that teach pets a new visual or verbal cue can improve memory and focus, Nilson says. This could be anything from teaching your dog a new trick, like roll over, or training your cat to come when you call.
- Try an IQ test: Intelligence tests can be a fun exercise to do with your pet, Brown says. For example, tests like “Dognition” put a dog through 20 different challenges to test their memory and reasoning skills.
- Give your pet puzzle toys: Both dogs and cats can excel at puzzle toys and games, which challenge your pet to solve a problem to receive a treat.
- Try something new: Exposing your pet to novel experiences can also be a fun way to expand their mind, Brown says. For example, you might go on a field trip to a new and exciting place, like a walk in an unfamiliar part of the city or a drive on the back roads. Just ensure that your pet is comfortable and unstressed, Brown says.
Takeaway
Dogs and cats are both intelligent, but they might show their smarts differently!
“A cat might be a genius at figuring out how to open a packet of his favorite treats, while a dog might excel at learning tricks,” Nilson says. “Both animals are intelligent in their own unique way, based on their species-specific skillset.”
