Cats and Dogs- Who is Smarter?

By DB
@dgobucks226 (34196)
December 14, 2017 7:07pm CST
I am sure you've heard the expression "it's raining cats and dogs. Well, this Vanderbuilt University study is more like Cats vs Dogs. Although this is very hard for us cat-lovers to take, it appears dogs are the smarter house pet. The researchers discovered that dogs possess more neurons in their cerebral cortex, ostensibly allowing them a better capacity for thinking, planning, and complex behavior. The study found that dogs have about 530 million cortical neurons while cats only have 250 million. (For context, humans have 16 billion.) This doesn’t necessarily mean that every dog is smarter than every cat. That's good because I've seen a lot of dumb dogs out there. What it does suggest however, is that dogs were born with the potential for greater intellectual capability. “Dogs have the biological capability of doing much more complex and flexible things with their lives than cats can,” one of the authors of the study, Suzana Herculano-Houzel, said in a statement. One example of that greater intelligence can be seen during earthquake rescue efforts when trained dogs assist in searching for people buried under rubble. However, there may have been a point in time many centuries ago when cats were smarter than dogs. A 2010 study from Oxford University claimed that dogs’ brains are continually evolving while cats’ brains haven’t changed since they were domesticated about 8,000 years ago. A final explanation is sociability which requires more gray matter which according to the Vanderbilt study, dogs have. So, it seems dogs overall are more social than cats. As a many time cat owner I always felt my cats were very social and intelligent. I know dogs are very smart too, it's just is so hard for me to accept they are not equally bright. I think this study has opened up a "can of worms." Or put another way, pet owners "fighting like cats and dogs!" What do you think? Source- Hello Giggles Photo- U tube
10 people like this
12 responses
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Dec 17
Cats trains their humans while dogs are trained by their humans. dogs want to please their master. Cats want to be the master.That is based from my experience.
4 people like this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Dec 17
All very true which makes the cats smarter.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
15 Dec 17
Yeah, just ask @JolietJake . @CaptAlbertWhisker .
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
15 Dec 17
Well stated and so true. Cats can be very independent vs dogs.
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Dec 17
I have both a cat and 2 dogs, they are all smart they made me their slave!
3 people like this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Dec 17
Yes we have to do what they say.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Dec 17
No my cats were a lot smarter than my dog. Cats know how to get their way and they will be your friend only if they want to be your friend.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
15 Dec 17
Well, that's not very sociable. A dog is a man/woman's best friend (as long as you feed them)
@LadyDuck (454867)
• Switzerland
15 Dec 17
I am also a cat person and no matter what the experts say I think that cats are smarter. Cats train humans to be their "slave", dogs are slave of their humans.
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
15 Dec 17
Dogs are smarter; sorta. I've trained dogs and they are quick on the draw. A cat if you tell them to do something, will give you a look (and maybe a response) of "Oh please, you want me to do what???!!"@dgobucks226
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Dec 17
@dgobucks226 Boy ain't that the truth.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
16 Dec 17
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
16 Dec 17
Ha, ha, ha, very good Nanette. Cats in a nutshell!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129074)
• Israel
18 Dec 17
I find this very interesting. I still say my cat is very smart.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
19 Dec 17
Even though cats brains are smaller than dogs and humans it doesn't seem to be a handicap to them. As far as brain size is concerned I've met some really dumb "big brained" humans in my life.
@Hannihar (129074)
• Israel
19 Dec 17
@dgobucks226 ditto to that DB.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
15 Dec 17
It makes complete sense to me when you consider the tricks, etc. that dogs can do.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
15 Dec 17
They can be trained to do some amazing things and want to please their masters.
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Dec 17
They are both alien races fighting for world domination!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
16 Dec 17
And they both have created a passionate niche among humans.
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24497)
15 Dec 17
Probably both, it depends on the person who will train them.
1 person likes this
@rubyriaz007 (4188)
• India
15 Dec 17
I feel dogs are smarter than cats. If dogs are trained properly they become wonderful pets. They are very sharp and can sense things. Dogs are loyal to their masters, but cats are not. Dogs never forget their master and have an attachment with the master,but cats are selfish.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
15 Dec 17
All perceptive comments! Thanks for your opinion.
1 person likes this
• China
15 Dec 17
I have to say cats are smarter. They even want to be the master of human being. You think you are raising a cat? No. You are raised by cat.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
15 Dec 17
Yes, cats do like their way!
@iamfemme (120)
17 Dec 17
I am not a cat person so I would go for 'dogs'. I got two smart canines with me. Always keeping an eye on me and my kids wherever we go. They act like our security dogs. Whilst our cats (I don't hate them but I don't like them either) they just sleep all day and come close to me wen they are hungry.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34196)
17 Dec 17
That does sound like cats, lol. Dogs are very protective of us a great quality to have.