Dogs Have Bigger Brains Than Cats Because They Are More Sociable, Research Finds

Science Daily ^ | 11/28/10 | Staff

[Nachum]

Over millions of years dogs have developed bigger brains than cats because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals, according to a study by Oxford University. For the first time researchers have attempted to chart the evolutionary history of the brain across different groups of mammals over 60 million years. They have discovered that there are huge variations in how the brains of different groups of mammals have evolved over that time.

[berdie]

Thanks for the ping.

I think cats and dogs just have a different kind of intelligence.

A dog works you with their doe eyed devotion. How can any human resist that love?

A cat works you by really acting like they don’t care (but they do, for food or whatever). How can any human resist trying to gain their favor?

I really wish I could be included in the next study. $$$?

[Ueriah]

I would speculate that we are clearly at the bottom of the food chain on this one.

Any time I start getting uppity, I remind myself that I scoop the cat poop, not the other way around. Also I have to go out and bring food to my feline overlords. Also I am responsible for maintaing a clean living environment. How can I possibly claim to be the smarter one in this relationship?

[samtheman]

Thank God for science. I’ll sleep better tonight now that I know this.

LOL!

(just don't think about who's paying for this or it might keep you awake)

[Undocumented_capitalist]

All animals were created at the same time when God created earth. That was what 4000 years ago? Not enough time to evolve any brains.

[NordP]

DOGS RULE!

[cripplecreek]

Thank you.

I personally suspect that dogs brains grew larger as a result of interaction with humans. The same is probably true of humans.

[UCANSEE2]

First off it occurs to me that dogs are generally much bigger than cats.

Second, there are chihuahuas.

Are mice smarter than cats or dogs?

[Peanut Gallery]

Dogs come in varying sizes. Cats, domestics ones at least, don’t. How about let’s compare brain size relative to body size...

Perhaps the finding will be that bigger dog breeds are smarter than smaller dog breeds, and that smaller dog breeds are no smarter than cats. LOL..

[NordP]

Whoops, I SHOULD have posted DACHSHUNDS RULE ;----)

[JSteff]

watching the surgeries etc in a way other cats never have and that he was clearly highly intelligent.

Maybe the vet just wanted a "cat scan" of the surgeries. Were there also fish at the vet clinic that day? I bet they didn't really mean anything (as far as understanding of the procedures) either. Unless that vet was getting medical opinions from the fish.

[UCANSEE2]

or maybe they are more social because they have bigger brains??

Rats are very social (at least with each other), and highly intelligent.

Yet their brain is tiny compared to a cat or dog.

[JSteff]

Really? How did you know, or did the other dogs tell you?

[JSteff]

Yes.

[JSteff]

the brain grows to fit the skull.

Or was the skull developed to allow for a larger brain?

[mdmathis6]

“We had a dog in a cats body that socialized our dogs so THEY thought they were cats “

That must be hell on your cat boxes!

[JustAmy]

LOL ... Dogs are more sociable but cats are smarter. :)

Thanks for the ping, Weinie. Guess that you win this one.

[UCANSEE2]

They’re talking about “size of their brains relative to body size”.

"Actually, brains are rather overrated."

[UCANSEE2]

I personally suspect that dogs brains grew larger as a result of interaction with humans. The same is probably true of humans.

Get the right dog, and it can train you to do all kinds of tricks.

[cripplecreek]

The only problem with dogs is that they don’t live 80 years or so.

[rockinqsranch]

That caption would have been even better IMO with a picture of Obama, and his fat lip.