Comparing companions
The physical similarities and differences between cats and dogs
As mammals, cats and dogs share a lot of similarities. They’re both warm-blooded, air-breathing, fur-covered creatures, with almost all the same organs. However, there are some differences in their physiology. For example, their brains are set up slightly differently from one another. Typically, a dog has a bigger brain than a cat, and a larger portion of its mass is dedicated to the cerebral cortex. This part of the brain is responsible for receiving and processing sensory information – the smells, sights and sounds that a dog encounters – along with decision-making and social interaction.
Did you know?
The longest domestic cat is 123 centimetres long