Are cats smarter than dogs?

[Incitatus]

[bluedigger]

1. Unfortunately, I must say "Yes".

I've never seen a cat have to work for a living...

[petronius]

2. On average, I'd say yes - but there's a lot of variability

My cat, for example, is dumber than a box of hammers from which all the hammers have been removed, leaving only a vacant box...

[femmocrat]

3. You cannot compare them.

There are smart cats and stupid cats. I know... I own a really, really stupid one.

[mitchum]

4. Yes, though they are equally lovable

[BlueJazz]

5. Scientifically ... Dogs (on the average) are much smarter than Cats.

Rankings Top 12
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ape
dolphin
monkey
elephant
parrot
pig
dog
raven
squid
squirrel
Rat
Cat

[SoxFan]

36. Oh, please

Cats simply say "fuck you" if you try to test them.

Plankton
Krill
Eggplant
Tree Stump
Dog
Coal

[BlueJazz]

46. Oh...Kitty Cats....Well hell ..I was talking about These "Cats"

[bigwillq]

6. No.

Dogs are smarter. :)

[Orrex]

7. My cat is dumber than a photo of a dog

Hell, he's even dumber than himself.

[jellen]

8. cats are smarter.

Cats are smarter,but who cares? Cats are so loveable. I got one yesterday and we're already in love.

[SoxFan]

47. You dare to say this withput posting a pic?

[ThomCat]

9. Cats just seem smarter because they don't make fools of themselves

nearly as often as dogs do.

But, dogs are smarter than cats. They learn more, faster, and they're trainable.

[Lost in CT]

10. Good lord yes... and crueler,,, and they are one of the few mammals

that hunts for pure sport.

[Sheets of Easter]

18. Dolphins do too.

And coincidentally (or not), dolphins and cats are two of the most intelligent species next to humans.

[Lost in CT]

19. And killer whales... and many apes...

[MilesColtrane]

24. They do that to keep their chops up.

They know that there's a fine line between domesticated and feral, and what side of that line they end up on is not in their control.

[Lost in CT]

27. Sure they are pratacing...

House cat's are unique in how they are ranked in the deadliest cat rank. You'd think that a tiger or a lion would be the top predator, but no, in fact, the house cat is number one. Unlike other cats who only kill for food or for protections, cats are pampered and fed. They find chasing and killing more of a hobby than anything. It's one of the reasons they bring us living creatures for us to kill. We give them food so they bring us...food.

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting.

[Avalux]

11. Depends. Which cats and which dogs?

I have a cat that figures things out in her head then does them - it's amazing to watch. Then I have a dog who is so dumb it's painful.

[Lil Missy]

12. Apples and oranges.

[harmonicon]

13. no - simple fact

I love cats and dogs, but there's little question about this one. It has to do with that whole science and research stuff.

[Mike 03]

14. Sadly, it's the truth

I've worked with dogs for ten years, and had three of my own, and one cat through this entire time.

My cat is just smarter. He know how to use vertical space, he knows how to mold his responses to what I say.

Cats are brilliant.

Dogs... Although I love them best... need some help.

[Oldtimeralso]

15. I 'd Rather Be Dogmatic Than Catatonic! n/t

[havocmom]

16. Have yet to see cats pulling a sled through a blizzard

or fetching smelly ol slippers.

[Lost in CT]

20. Well that is a sure sign they are smarter. nt

[Sheets of Easter]

17. Yes. And I am not just saying that as a cat lover.

I am saying this as a concerned citizen. Once they get opposable thumbs, the human race is finished.

[krispos42]

21. Nah

We'll just turn on the vacuum cleaners. :evilgrin:

[Sheets of Easter]

32. Touche!

:D

[Tommy_J]

22. In general, social animals are smarter

with predators smarter than herbivores. It doesn't take a lot ob brain power to sneak up on grass.

[jeff30997]

29. Lol!

Does it apply to Human herbivores as well? :rofl:

[sammythecat]

23. Smarter at what?

It makes a difference.

[Tommy_J]

26. Most everything probably

Interacting in social situations requires much intellect, foresight, empathy, collaboration communication...

Why its even a challenge for humans

;-)

[MilesColtrane]

25. Without question.

[Lucian]

28. I think comparing the intelligence of two different species is absurd.

I've seen my dogs do some really smart things and I've seen my cat do some really stupid shit. Doesn't make one smarter than the other. :shrug:

[jeff30997]

31. "comparing the intelligence of two different species is absurd"

In fact we are comparing the intelligence of tree different species.Cats,Dogs and Humans.We judge their

intelligence according to our own specific definition of intelligence.And even our standards are

biased.Stephen Hawking can't catch a frisbee with is mouth or use opposable thumbs but he's considered

one of the smartest human alive.Absurd indeed. :)

[SoxFan]

38. What if I put a potato chip on Hawking's nose?

Can he flip it into his mouth?

[Lil Missy]

50. My cats could if I used cheese.

[last_texas_dem]

30. I like both cats and dogs, but lean towards the idea that dogs are smarter

Perhaps it's just that dogs seem to behave more rationally (at least, they're far more predictable), but I've had some experiences with my cat that made me question whether she wasn't mentally impaired. For example, she was on "tolerant" (though I wouldn't quite say "good") terms with the other cat she was living with. They were separated for five days, and suddenly she behaved as if she had no clue who that other cat was- and they've still never developed the relationship that they once had! She even acts as if she doesn't know who I am from time to time, and I've been around her since she was about three months old!

Who knows, though? Maybe I shouldn't let my weirdo of a cat shape my opinion of the intelligence levels of all cats!

[SoCalDem]

33. Predators think "differently".. they have to , or they starve

Cats are predators..dogs are omnivores..


Cats have to plan a "meal", dogs "find stuff"..

not "smarter than"..just different:)

[NV Whino]

45. I think the photo in your post is particularly relevant to this thread

:rofl:

That said, cats are smarter generally speaking. I've know a couple of really smart dogs--as in not just obeying, but weighing the issues and making conscious decisions, and I've actually owned one of the dumbest cats to have ever walked the Earth.

[Orsino]

34. Different kind of smarts.

As far as adapting their behavior to be compatible with ours, dogs are generally much better. Cats say, "fuck that," and dare us not to adapt to their habits.

[TZ]

35. Cats are less domesticated than dogs..

They are much closer to wild types than domestic dogs, so that does mean they behave differently..As for more or less intelligent..thats a hard call.

[SoxFan]

37. For the dog people

If someone came up to you, asked to put a potato chip on your nose and have you flip it up and catch it in your mouth, would doing so make you more intelligent?

My cats would tell said person to get lost. I would, too!

[Strong Atheist]

39. Of course. nt.

[Deep13]

40. Cats do nothing and get doted on for it.

Dogs fall over themselves for attention and are willing to be taught demeaning tricks.

Cats are smarter.

[Shell Beau]

41. Dogs are smarter.

[kiva]

42. Absolutly, cats are obviously more intelligent...

*help, my cat is making me write this!*...ignore the previous typo, please, and carry on.

[ogneopasno]

43. I had a friend who had both a dog and a cat. The cat used to eat the dog's food all the time. One

day, the dog got annoyed at this, and when the two animals were fed, the dog peed on his own food to keep the cat from eating it. The cat looked at the dog and started eating the cat food. The dog bent down to eat his own food and then stopped with a look on his face that clearly said, "Who the hell peed on this? This is disgusting!"

[SoxFan]

55. ROFL

:rofl:

[redqueen]

44. Of course not.

All the re-defining in the world won't change it either.

[Arugula Latte]

48. Smarter, cuter, softer and better in every way.

:D

[TK421]

49. Ummm...no

and I believe that this has been proven in studies

[lost-in-nj]

51. NO.............dogs rule

sorry

but my pups are so smart


my cats used to crap outside of the litter box

:shrug:


lost

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. Cats are as smart as they need to be.

They are very good at being predators of small animals. They suck at calculus. But they don't need to be good at calculus to kill rodents. The kind of smart they have is exactly the kind of smart they need.

[FloridaJudy]

53. My cat is very, very smart

Unfortunately, judging by her temperament, she was the CEO of a Fortune 500 Company in a previous life. If she doesn't get her way, life becomes very unpleasant for everyone around.

My dog, on the other hand, has the IQ of a Dixie Cup - a used Dixie Cup. I'm not sure which came first: the brain damage or the running head-first into trees and walls chasing squirrels. Suffice it to say the repetitive concussions don't seem to improve her mental acuity. But she's good natured, which is a refreshing change from the cat.

[badgerpup]

54. I'd say cats are smarter...

But I'll cop to being biased...and also to being a 'cat person' because dogs are too 'high maintenance' for my preference.

Don't get me wrong. I respect and like dogs...but at a distance. They're wonderful critters and probably worth all the time and effort that one puts into caring for them...but one of the things I treasure most about my cats is their independence and the fact that while they are affectionate and loving, they aren't 'needy'.