Although dogs and cats are among the most common pets in the world, there are still many things that are unknown, especially about their behavior, one of which is their intelligence.
This curiosity is usually generalized, like knowing whether animals dream. Therefore, it is common for people, especially pet owners, to debate the intelligence level of these animals and which of the two is more intelligent. .
This question asked by many reached animal behavior researchers who, in various studies, tried to determine the level of intelligence of both animals and it seems that they have found the answer.
Who is more intelligent?
First of all, it should be borne in mind that most of the studies that have been carried out to answer this question are carried out empirically, i.e.
On the other hand, in recent years, various institutions around the world have been studying the brain structure of both animals. However, scientists assure that it is very difficult to compare two such different species.
In the study conducted by Vanderbilt University in the United States, researchers decided to analyze the number of neurons because they are associated with thinking, planning and behavior, three characteristics associated with intelligence.
After analyzing and counting the number of cortical neurons in the brains of both species, they found that cats have an average of 250 million neurons, while dogs have 500 million. This number would be comparable to the 16 billion neurons found in the human brain.
Suzana Herculano, researcher of the study, explained: “I believe that the number of neurons an animal has, especially in its cerebral cortex, determines its internal state of mind and its ability to predict what will happen in its environment” based on their previous Take experiences into account.
How do you determine your behavior?
Kristyn Vitale, a professor of animal health and behavior at Unity College in Maine, said animal intelligence can be divided into the main areas of problem solving, concept formation and social intelligence.
According to research, dogs therefore have the biological ability to do far more complex things than cats. Likewise, it explains that they can be trained by humans by performing tasks that require them to decide between multiple options and solve problems.
This number of neurons and their more complex neural processes can also be detected when a guide dog uses its memory to follow a path and make decisions.
On the other hand, despite popular belief that cats are more antisocial and independent, cats have been shown to prefer human interactions over food and toys. This would explain behaviors such as sleeping on the feet of cats, people, or staring at.
