Dogs are capable of learning and responding to commands. On the other hand, cats may be clever and curious in equal measure. To find out, PBS NewsHour enlisted the help of scientists on this matter.
PBS NewsHour asked three scientists — a neuroscientist, a dog cognition expert, and cat behavior and cognition researcher — to weigh in on the issue.
Researcher Suzana Herculano-Houzel researches animal intelligence by delving deep into the gray matter of the brain. Her findings are fascinating. She liquefies animal brains in order to count the neurons within them. When it comes to neurons, she has discovered that dogs have double the number of neurons as cats.
The central nervous system’s neurons are responsible for processing and transmitting data. Neuron count was compiled by Herculano-team, Houzel’s which studied the cerebral cortex (the wrinkled outer layer of the brain).
They found that dogs have roughly 530 million cortical neurons, but cats only have about 250 million. It’s likely that even small dogs, such as chihuahuas or corgis, have more neurons than cats, according to Herculano-Houzel.
“Then the logical implication is that, yes, dogs are much more capable than cats,” Herculano-Houzel said.
Herculano-Houzel admitted that she left her own prejudices out of the study, but she believes her dog, Mielina, is an excellent example of why dogs are smarter than cats.
Researchers have long hypothesized that larger brains are associated with more “braininess.” In other words, animals with larger brains are smarter. Although bears were shown to have the same number of neurons in their cortex as cats by Herculano-Houzel’s team.
In addition to dogs and cats, the researchers discovered a few surprises among the other animals. The complete story is here…
All of this shows that the size of one’s brain is irrelevant. Species or body size were not favored by evolution or breeding when it comes to the number of neurons in the brain. Herculano-Houzel asserted that intelligence comes in all shapes and sizes.
Canine Cognition Center Director Brian Hare is careful when putting animals against one another in the debate on intelligence.
“Asking which species is smarter is like asking if a hammer is a better tool than a screwdriver,” Hare, said via email. “Each tool is designed for a specific problem, so of course, it depends on the problem we are trying to solve.”
As Kristyn Vitale Shreve, an Oregon State University cat cognition and behavior research fellow, put it, “A lot of what we already know about intelligence in other species falls on a gradient or a spectrum,”.
Consider, for example, your hunting prowess. The skilled end of the spectrum is occupied by cats, with dogs in the center and humans at the bottom. However, when it comes to math, humans come out on top, while dogs and cats fall short.
In light of what we currently know about the neuron numbers in various brains, however, Vitale Shreve said we need comparison research to establish how general behaviors relate to brain physiology.
To create comparisons between dogs and cats, Vitale Shreve argued, scientists need to establish the correct methods.
In the end, intelligence is a complex and subtle subject. Herculano-Houzel, however, has a message for all pet owners she wishes to convey:
“Please love your cats and dogs alike as much as you want,” she said. “Regardless of how many neurons they have.”
