Which is more intelligent a dog or a cat, and why did you choose the one you are answering?

Question

"dogs r soooooooo much smarter. that's a fact not my opinion."
Prove it Yo! If it is a fact you can prove it.

And just because dogs and cats learn differently doesn't make it an unfair question. I mean, which is more intelligent a man or a dog? They learn differently, but it is still a fair question to consider. Don't you think?

I think the fact that cats don't eat poop or drink from the toilet is such a good point. (I've seen dogs that will eat their OWN poop and vomit!)

It is easy to see that we are more able to train dogs, but does that make them more intelligent-- or less?

Answer 1

Hi there...actually both are intelligent. Intelligence is a relative term to the species of the animal as ALL animals have the capacity to learn. Two primary factors will influence accuracy in the interpretation of any test for animal intelligence -- an understanding of the animal's natural history and an understanding of the limits of the test. An animal will naturally show an aptitude for a concept it needs or uses regularly in the wild.

As an animal trainer we discover while we are educated that intelligence has very little to do with how trainable an animal is. Yet, as humans, the subject of intelligence continues to fascinate us.

So both dogs and cats are trainable and neither are more intelligent than one another they are different in their abilities based on their natural behaviours.

I could go on and on with the scientific aspect and the anthropomorphic aspects which are the biggest reason for the dispute.

As a professional animal trainer for over 20 years I specialize in training both domestic and exotic cats. Both my housecats not only understand obedience commands (come, sit, down, etc) but are also toilet trained, can flush the toilet, go to wherever I point, follow a target anywhere, jump through hoops, roll over, fetch, take apart a 3-D layered puzzle, wave, give a high-five, raise a paw to ask a question, fetch, do agility (like dog agility), walk on a leash in public and so much more. They understand both visual and verbal cues/signals as well and learn most new behaviours quite quickly within a matter of days and for the more complex behaviours such as balancing and walking on a basketball in a month. Here's a video of someone who has taught her house cat a couple handful of tricks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcoYqlAjRk

Training is conducted using operant conditioning through positive reinforcement just as with canines. We never coerce/mold an animal to learn rather reward desired behaviour with food, praise (most cats only work for food) or toys and always ignore undesired behaviour so that extinguishes itself over time. This is the key technique to train any animal including goldifsh. Yes! You read that correctly... even small fish can be trained to learn new behaviours! Here's some videos of goldfish playing football, soccer and going through a hoop: http://www.fish-school.com/gallery.htm

Answer 2

I dont know that you can compare the two effectively. Whats constitutes "intelligence" on the part of animls? are you going to use behavior as the only yardstick?...what about memory and other factors that typically are considered when discussing intelligence?...its a cool question but Im not sure its totally answerable without parameters. Having had both dogs and cats all I will say is that they are different. Dogs are much more domesticated than cats. Cats retain a degree of Innate natural intelligence that comes from centuies of being in the wild. in other words cats seem to reatain a degree of :instinct" ,Dogs have had a lot of that bred out of them.

Answer 3

I am a dog person. You can teach a dog lots of things. Cats just kind of do what they want. Specifically for a larger dog a lab or golden retriever, very smart. or a smaller a pug smart yet with a small wild streak. Also a mini Dachshund (wiener Dog) extremely smart and cuddly. Also very protective. *but not in a mean way.

Answer 4

the question is unfair. dogs and cats think differently and react to stimulus differently. dogs are a more social animal while cats don't require as much attention. i have 3 of each and work with both daily, so i am able to watch and learn from both. see for yourself and you'll notice the differences too

Answer 5

Dogs are far more intellegent . You can train them well to do many things. Dogs also give greater companionship and thats a good sign that they're smarter and they don't snob you off like cats do .

Answer 6

Cat i don't like cats but thier r far more intelligent dogs r cute and fun but i am not saying their dumb they just learn slower every animal learns in different ways their both intelligent they both by people teahing them

Answer 7

I think both are equally intelligent. I have had smart cats and smart dogs. I have also had dumb cats and dumb dogs. It depends on the individual animal not the the breed.

Answer 8

Dog, the larger animals seems to have a bigger brain. Labs and setters # 1 choice - family friendly at the same time.

Answer 9

Dogs are a bit smarter than cats...but cats are more independent

Answer 10

A cat!!!!!! Well I don't know if it is just my cat is smarter than my dog. My cat is smart anoufe to know that the tollite is not a water dish and that the bus is not for him to ride and she is potty trained. My dog is acually scared of my cat. And she looks at him like he has lost his mind.