Scientists discuss whether cats and dogs are indeed smarter than infants.

Compared to other animals, human infants begin their lives needing to learn a great deal. While some animals can start walking within hours of birth, human babies require months or even years to master even the most basic functions. Can we compare the intelligence of cats and dogs? Are these pets actually smarter than human infants? This is a complex question, and the answer depends on how we measure the intelligence of animals and humans, writes Live Science.

How smart are dogs compared to infants?

According to Stanley Coren from the University of British Columbia, while it is impossible to make an exact comparison between the intelligence of dogs and humans, dogs possess certain cognitive skills that roughly align with those of young children. For instance, the average dog can understand about 165 words and signals. In exceptional cases, some dogs may learn significantly more words.

Most dogs can also "count" up to three. Research indicates that a dog's brain reacts similarly to a human's when they observe changes in the number of dots on a screen, suggesting they recognize when the quantity increases or decreases.

Coren states that many dogs have some internal understanding of basic counting. In comparison, 14- and 18-month-old human infants can already distinguish between two and four objects when counted by an adult.

By analyzing cognitive functions, it is possible to assess a dog's mental age in human terms. The mental age of the average dog is roughly equivalent to that of a 2.5-year-old child, at least regarding cognitive skills such as vocabulary, counting, and emotional awareness.

Understanding mental age can help dog owners comprehend their pets' capabilities. For example, 2-year-old children are not yet fully capable of experiencing and understanding guilt, and dogs are likewise unable to do so. Hence, a dog's shy behavior after doing something displeasing to its owner is merely a manifestation of fear of punishment.

According to Coren, a dog's intelligence greatly depends on its breed and training.

How smart are cats compared to infants?

According to Jennifer Vonk from Oakland University in Michigan, there is significantly less research on cat intelligence, yet some data exists regarding the cognitive abilities of these pets.

Cats are known to learn and gain new experiences, as well as adapt to new conditions to solve various problems.

Studies show that cats have good memory and can locate food based solely on a single memory. Cats also understand the concept of object permanence—recognizing that an object still exists even when it is no longer visible. Human infants typically grasp the concept of object permanence between the ages of 4 and 10 months. Research also suggests that cats may associate words with images better than human infants.

Vonk notes that while various tests can assess cat intelligence, it is pointless to view the intelligence of these animals through the lens of human development. After all, animals are not humans, and they have evolved to address different challenges in various habitats. When it comes to cats, they are undoubtedly superior hunters compared to humans and have a better sense of smell.

On the other hand, scientists believe that cats lack the same motivation as humans to enhance their intelligence. Vonk argues that comparing the intelligence of cats and human infants is meaningless, as it is impossible to declare one smarter than the other due to their differences in species.