An Oxford University study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences settles an age-old argument: Dogs are indeed smarter than cats. The study suggests that animals benefit intellectually from interactions within a peer group. Over time, social species develop greater mental capacity than animals who prefer to go-it-alone.
"Dogs have always been regarded as the more social animals while cats like to get on with their own thing alone. But it appears that interaction is good for the brain and extends to other species, like ourselves," said Dr. Susanne Shultz, who led the research.
So, fellow dog owners, our animals are officially smarter and unofficially less of a pain in theass than cats.We could point out to cat owners that while their animals contribute almost nothing tosociety, dogs are great for such useful tasks as finding quail, fetching ducks and chasing away solicitors;however, before we get too cocky, let's exercise a little humility. After all, another study suggests cat owners are smarter than dog owners.
