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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSorry, Grumpy Cat Study finds dogs are brainier than cats
Vanderbilt University study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=8Ah5G9iYLO0
Theres a new twist to the perennial argument about which is smarter, cats or dogs.
It has to do with their brains, specifically the number of neurons in their cerebral cortex: the little gray cells associated with thinking, planning and complex behavior all considered hallmarks of intelligence.
The first study to actually count the number of cortical neurons in the brains of a number of carnivores, including cats and dogs, has found that dogs possess significantly more of them than cats.
In this study, we were interested in comparing different species of carnivorans to see how the numbers of neurons in their brains relate to the size of their brains, including a few favorite species including cats and dogs, lions and brown bears, said Associate Professor of Psychology and Biological Sciences Suzana Herculano-Houzel, who developed the method for accurately measuring the number of neurons in brains.
https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2017/11/29/grumpy-cat-study-dogs/
KT2000
(20,587 posts)cats have just streamlined their neurons. That makes them smarter.
FuzzyRabbit
(1,969 posts)why does my dog do whatever I want, but I do whatever the cat wants?
GaYellowDawg
(4,449 posts)That would make you the dumb one. Why should you do what the cat wants? I lived with a cat for a year, and it did what I wanted because it knew I wouldn't put up with its bullshit.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)Our cats come when called. They mew in answer to their names. They do NOT do whatever they want.
And the dog is the one who figured out how to turn the bathroom faucet on if the water bowl is empty. The cats didn't do that.
CozyMystery
(652 posts)It was fascinating. I practically read it aloud to my kids (all 4 voting Democrats).
I have had both cats and dogs, and my dog (a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier) is very smart. It took me months to start to understand how he thinks (when he was a puppy). I was used to a different breed -- a smart, but very helpful one (Rough Collie).
Now I can predict what my dog will do much of the time. He isn't often helpful, though -- more like a furry, mischievous toddler than a much needed helper who frequently pitched in as I raised my kids.
It is interesting to watch my dog plan ahead, figure out how to do things he shouldn't do, and succeed. Of course, nothing dangerous. Those ideas, I nip in the bud. I tell my dog all the time that he is a PITA and lucky to have me because he intrigues rather than annoys me.
The most interesting part, IMO, was about raccoons.
DanTex
(20,709 posts)mythology
(9,527 posts)And unlike a dog who would just re-eat said puke, the cat left it for her servant to clean up. Clearly the superior intellect.
Azathoth
(4,611 posts)It's like a supercharged, finely-tuned six-cylinder versus a big block V8 in need of a tune-up. The V8 has a lot more potential raw power, but the V6 still runs circles around it.
trueblue2007
(17,238 posts)HA HA HA ..... IT WILL BE LIKE THAT MOVIE about the evil cats trying to wipe out humanity and the doggies.
Cats assume they will take over the world and dogs just wanna chew on bones and chase balls.
CAT RULE US ..... BECAUSE WE LOVE THEM. CATS ARE THE MOST AWESOME ANIMAL ON EARTH, BAR NONE.
ileus
(15,396 posts)That's their greatest useful talent compared to our GSD.
lindysalsagal
(20,730 posts)than mice.