Which Pets and Animals Rank Among the World's Smartest?

For millennia, humans have claimed the pinnacle of intelligence. From standing upright and creating tools to mastering fire and building civilizations, we've convinced ourselves of our cognitive superiority over other species.

The ability of the human mind to design towering skyscrapers, develop advanced AI, and maintain self-awareness has fostered a sense of dominance, which we are now starting to reconsider.

However, certain animals exhibit higher intelligence than others. Over time, humans began domesticating these creatures as pets. Advances in animal behavioral science reveal that the gap between human and animal intelligence isn't as wide as once believed, particularly with highly intelligent pets.

Ranking the world's smartest pets is challenging due to the need to compare different species. Nevertheless, some animals, both domesticated and wild, are renowned for their exceptional intelligence. Here are 10 of the most notable examples.

5 Smartest Pets in the World

1. African Grey Parrots

African grey parrots rank among the most intelligent birds globally, boasting some of the highest levels of cognitive ability observed in both domesticated and wild animals.

These brilliant birds are renowned for their ability to understand human language and mimic it precisely. Additionally, studies have shown that they possess advanced problem-solving abilities and remarkable memory, enabling them to outperform the cognitive skills of a young child.

Some experts even suggest that certain highly skilled African greys can recognize objects, remember patterns, and solve problems more quickly than the average 5-year-old.

2. Pigs

At first glance, pigs might not seem like the brightest pets, but they are far more intelligent than they appear, resembling the clever hogs from George Orwell's "Animal Farm." However, it's unlikely these docile, round animals will ever lead a communist revolution.

Studies in comparative psychology reveal that pigs possess spatial awareness and memory skills comparable to a human toddler. They also exhibit strong social and emotional intelligence, not only with other pigs but also with various animals outside their species. These traits make them highly intelligent, ideal as both farm animals and pets.

3. Dogs

Dog owners understand that "man's best friend" is not just a loyal companion but also one of the most intelligent animals globally, particularly among pets. Studies suggest that the average domesticated dog has intelligence comparable to a human 2-year-old, though this varies widely across different breeds.

For example, the border collie is considered the most intelligent breed, with poodles, German shepherds, and golden retrievers following closely. These breeds excel at learning tricks and skills quickly, and they can be trained for specialized roles like guide dogs or police dogs. Dogs are also capable of understanding words and emotions, and there are countless tales of their bravery and loyalty in protecting their loved ones.

4. Cats

Ranking fourth on the list of the smartest pets is the domestic cat. Ancient Egyptians revered cats as divine beings, and these clever creatures have retained their air of superiority. Independent and resourceful, cats are ideal for those seeking a self-reliant companion. They score highly on intelligence metrics, excelling at remembering crucial details to navigate and thrive in their surroundings. Among cats, the Abyssinian stands out as the most intelligent breed, showcasing exceptional learning and reasoning abilities.

5. Rats and Mice

Despite their limited vision, rats and mice rely on their sharp memory and problem-solving abilities to tackle mazes and intricate challenges. This has made them frequent subjects in laboratory experiments, often involving harsh scientific testing.

Owners of these small rodents know they possess not only high intelligence but also immense affection. A study conducted by Bowling Green University revealed that rats reciprocate human affection, enjoy playtime, and can even emit chirping sounds resembling laughter when tickled. This capacity for love and joy has motivated animal rights advocates to oppose the use of rodents and other animals in harmful experiments.

Most Intelligent Animals in the Wild

A discussion about animal intelligence wouldn't be complete without acknowledging the brilliance of wild animals. While they may not be ideal pets, they are undoubtedly among the most intelligent creatures on the planet.

1. Great Apes

This category includes our closest relatives in the Hominidae family, such as gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Humans share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees, which are considered among the most intelligent wild animals. Chimps form complex social groups, create tools, and display distinct personalities and self-awareness.

In captivity, great apes rapidly learn human language and sign language, and they can even grasp abstract concepts, such as identifying objects or ideas not immediately visible. While many great apes are kept in captivity due to their endangered status, they thrive better in the wild, as controlled environments often lack the mental stimulation necessary for their well-being.

2. Dolphins

Dolphins rank among the most intelligent creatures on Earth, often regarded as the humans of the ocean. With brains weighing around pounds, they possess the second-largest brain-to-body ratio in the animal kingdom. While they lack human-like language, studies show dolphins have sophisticated communication systems that enable them to tackle challenges far more complex than solving mazes.

Dolphins use their remarkable intelligence to build social networks, employ tools, and even share cultural practices. For instance, a dolphin named Billie, after spending time in a training facility, imitated the "tail-walking" trick performed by other dolphins without any human instruction. After her release, multiple reports confirmed wild dolphins performing this impressive feat, even after Billie's passing, despite the skill offering no survival benefit.

3. Elephants

Unsurprisingly, these massive animals possess the largest brains among land mammals. Renowned for their remarkable memory, elephants have 251 billion neurons—nearly three times that of humans. This extensive neural network grants them extraordinary long-term memory, crucial for recalling navigation paths, feeding areas, and water sources, which can be vital for survival in the drought-affected regions they inhabit.

4. Crows

Crows are widely regarded as the most intelligent birds globally. While they may lack the charm of African grey parrots, they excel at tackling complex challenges in both rural and urban settings.

For instance, researchers at the University of Oxford observed New Caledonian crows crafting compound tools to solve a puzzle-box experiment and retrieve a hidden reward. This achievement demonstrates that crows possess problem-solving abilities on par with humans and chimpanzees.

Other crow species have been seen using breadcrumbs to fish and pulling fishing lines from the water for an effortless meal. Perhaps the most astonishing display of crow intelligence occurred in Japan, where local crows identified traffic light colors to crack nuts using passing cars while avoiding danger.

5. Squirrels

Despite their adorable and seemingly scatterbrained demeanor, squirrels are strategic and methodical survivors, especially in environments filled with predators. Their food-storing habits, particularly those of gray squirrels, highlight their forward-thinking nature.

Gray squirrels need a high-calorie diet relative to their size, prompting them to store food for the winter months. These clever animals build nests called dreys high in trees to stay safe from predators, but they also bury food in multiple locations as a backup. Squirrels even create fake caches to mislead potential thieves and safeguard their primary food supplies.