Cats or dogs: which is smarter?

Ask a dog owner which pet is smarter and they’re unlikely to hesitate. Ask a cat owner and you’ll undoubtedly get a very different answer.

Dogs learn commands, carry out complex tasks and work alongside humans in everything from policing to mountain rescue.

Cats, meanwhile, manage to manipulate us into opening doors and appearing with treats, and somehow always get their own way.

Dogs vs cats – which is smartest?

Scientists have spent years studying how cats and dogs learn, remember, solve problems and understand the world around them. The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as either side might hope.

1. Which pet has most brainpower?

In 2017, researchers in Brazil and the US counted cortical neurons (neurons in the outer layer of the brain) in eight species. The dogs examined had between 429 million and 623 million cortical neurons; the cat had about 250 million. As these cells support information processing, planning and decision-making, dogs appear to have more raw processing power.

“They might have that bigger computer, but it doesn’t necessarily translate into higher intelligence if they don’t have an outlet,” says trainer Nina Fotara of Confident Canine. Dogs may be given little freedom to make decisions, while cats are rarely asked to complete tasks at all.

Breed matters, too. In 2022, researchers in Finland tested 1,002 dogs from 13 breeds. Border Collies and Australian Shepherds showed strong self-control, while German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois persisted independently with an impossible task. Different working breeds may have different cognitive strengths.

2. Who has the better memory?

In 2024, researchers in Hungary and Austria tested five gifted Border Collies on the names of 12 toys they hadn’t seen for two years. Four performed above chance, remembering three to nine labels. The dogs had been selected for their rare ability to learn object names, so the findings don’t necessarily apply to Border Collies generally.

Cats have shown a different form of recall. In 2017, a team in Japan ran two food-container experiments involving 49 and 58 cats. After 15 minutes, the animals appeared to remember what the containers had held and where the food had been – information absorbed from a single experience without training.

Trainer Paula Stewart of animal agency The Animal Talent believes hunting may focus feline memory on useful resources. “Cats have better memories than dogs, so they can remember where prey or food is,” she says.

“If you count memory as intelligence, I think that cats win in this circumstance.”

3. Which learns fastest?

In 2023, researchers in Hungary showed unfamiliar objects to 42 puppies, 39 kittens and eight hand-reared wolf pups. After watching a person interact with one, the puppies paid closest attention and copied the action more often than the kittens, without food rewards. Dogs appear particularly primed to learn from people.

Working breeds can be persistent problem-solvers. Nina’s Weimaraner puppy learned to open door handles at six months, then mastered the bolts installed to stop her.

Cats can learn just as successfully. A 2025 US study found that kittens attending six weeks of training and socialisation classes maintained their performance in a learning task. Nina’s cat, meanwhile, joined a puppy clicker-training session of her own accord and learned to sit.

“People put more effort into training dogs, but you can definitely train cats,” says animal trainer and behaviourist Lisa Sinnott of St Claws Academy. Lisa taught her cat Dexter to high-five.

“I’ve seen Bengal, Burmese, Siamese and Sphynx cats excel in their training in the cat modelling world,” says Paula.

4. Who understands us better?

In 2026, researchers in Austria and Hungary gave ten gifted dogs just eight minutes to learn each new toy name. Seven succeeded, whether they were taught directly or simply overheard people talking.

Cats often listen and learn, too. In 2024, Japanese researchers paired invented words with animated pictures for 31 cats. After brief exposure, the animals noticed when the pairings changed, suggesting that they had rapidly formed sound-picture associations.

Both cats and dogs can understand us, so it’s hard to say which species wins at this, says Paula. “But I think we mere humans are better at understanding dogs because cats give more subtle signs to communicate their feelings.”

5. Which has greater emotional intelligence?

In 2012, psychologists in the UK found that dogs approached people more often when they pretended to cry than when they talked or hummed. Some nuzzled or licked even an unfamiliar person.

The behaviour could indicate concern, but it might just reflect learned association. Lisa is cautious about assuming either species shows empathy. “I’d love to think that animals try to comfort us,” she says, “but a pet may simply learn that tears lead to strokes and attention.”

6. Which is most self-motivated?

In 2023, researchers in Hungary compared how dogs and cats followed a human pointing towards hidden food. Dogs made more choices and were more successful. Cats participated less as the laboratory test progressed but were more willing at home. A poor result may reflect discomfort with the setting or reluctance to participate, rather than inability.

Cats are enthusiastic when an activity suits them. In the same year, UK researchers surveyed 924 owners whose 1,154 cats played fetch. In 94% of cases, the behaviour had begun without training, while cats started and ended games more often than their owners.

“I think cats are good at training us,” says Lisa.

Which is smartest? Cats or dogs?

Dogs lead on processing power, communication and responses to human sadness; cats have the edge on memory and motivation. Learning is harder to separate.

Dogs have been bred to work with people, while cats are more selective about rewards. Confidence and experience can matter as much as species or breed.

Overall result

Cats and dogs are clever in very different ways

Five ways to boost your pet’s brainpower

1. Create calm

Fear and overstimulation hamper learning. Settle your pet before asking for a behaviour, says Nina.

2. Wait for a response

Nina suggests giving one cue, then pausing, rather than simply repeating it.
 

3. Try target training

Lisa taught Dexter to touch a stick with his nose, marking success with “yes” and a treat.

4. Turn feeding into a game

Paula recommends hiding treats around a room or in toilet-roll tubes to enhance an animal’s problem-solving skills.

Lisa suggests starting with an easy puzzle feeder so your pet doesn’t give up.

5. Follow their interests

Choose activities your pet enjoys, says Nina, and stop before boredom sets in.

Paula adds that older animals can learn, too: she is teaching a five-year-old Staffy to close a door. “It’s never too late to start training your dog or cat to make them smarter,” she says.

Both acted on information people had missed. But intelligence is not just one ability: it includes learning, memory, problem-solving, self-control and understanding others.

“Both cats and dogs learn quickly what works for them,” says Paula.