Footage showcasing a cat outsmarting a dog in the use of communication buttons has delighted over 7 million viewers.
The Instagram video, featuring a man’s attempt to teach his dog, Ruby, how to communicate using voice buttons, takes a hilarious twist as his cat, Pearl, shows a quicker grasp of the technology.
The circular buttons are pre-recorded to say a word when pressed and are marketed as a way for furry friends to communicate with their owners.
At the start of the video, the owner can be seen kneeling down and speaking to Ruby, a red fox Labrador retriever, with Pearl, a rescue cat, close by. The on-screen text explains: “Teaching my dog to use voice buttons thinking nothing could go wrong.” He says, “let’s try these voice buttons” and then the pair head to another room.
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty
The clip then shows the cat strutting over and the text says: “I know what to do.” This is followed by footage showing Ruby chasing her tail while Pearl quickly demonstrates an understanding of the buttons’ function. With a confident paw, she presses a button to convey its message, much to the surprise and delight of her owner.
According to the caption, “unlimited power” for the feline has been unlocked.
This amusing role reversal not only showcases the cat’s intelligence but also highlights the variability in learning abilities and interest between different species and even individual animals within the same species.
Cats, often stereotyped as aloof or less trainable than dogs, can exhibit a high level of intelligence and adaptability when motivated or curious.
At the time of writing, the video shared to @_ruby.the.labrador_ has racked up 7.1 million views, over 307,000 likes and 907 comments since it was shared on March, 5.
One user said: “Cat inner dialogue ‘so this is how I shall become MASTER!?!?'”
“The cat stole that dog’s only brain cell,” joked another.
A third commenter said: “The cat wrote and directed this entire reel.”
“That’s hilarious!! The cat is smarter than the dog,” said a fourth commenter.
Newsweek has previously looked at various studies comparing canine and feline intelligence concluding that, overall, cats are not smarter than dogs.
The American Kennel Club states that dogs have larger brains relative to their body size and excel in tasks involving social intelligence, thanks to their evolution alongside humans.
Although cats have smaller brains, they show remarkable problem-solving abilities and are more independent having evolved as solitary hunters. So studies suggest that while dogs may lead in social intelligence, cats possess their own type of cunning intellect, making the comparison not straightforward.
Newsweek reached out to @_ruby.the.labrador_ for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
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Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.