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Cats and dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, but one question continues to start debates among pet owners: Are cats smarter than dogs? Dog lovers often point to their trainability, ability to follow commands, and strong connection with humans. Cat owners, however, know that cats are excellent problem solvers, independent thinkers, and highly adaptable animals. The truth is that intelligence in animals is not as simple as giving one species a higher score. Cats and dogs developed different skills based on their lifestyles, instincts, and relationship with humans. So, which pet is smarter? Scientists suggest the answer depends on how we define intelligence. How Do Scientists Measure Cat and Dog Intelligence? Unlike humans, cats and dogs cannot complete IQ tests. Animal intelligence is usually measured through specific abilities such as memory, problem-solving, learning ability, and social behaviour. Researchers have studied different areas of animal cognition, including brain structure and problem-solving skills. In Australia, organisations such as RSPCA Australia also emphasise the importance of mental stimulation and environmental enrichment to support pets’ overall wellbeing. Providing suitable toys, activities, and spaces to explore can help cats and dogs express natural behaviours and stay mentally active. One interesting study by neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel examined the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain linked to decision-making and information processing. The study found that dogs generally have more cortical neurons than cats. A Golden Retriever, for example, was estimated to have around 623 million neurons, while cats had around 250 million. However, more neurons do not automatically mean one animal is “better”. Intelligence depends on how those abilities are used. A dog’s intelligence often appears through cooperation and learning from humans, while a cat’s intelligence is often shown through independence and problem-solving. Cats vs Dogs: Different Types of Intelligence Intelligence Type Cats Dogs Problem solving Strong independent problem solvers Strong when working with humans Training ability Learn through motivation and rewards Usually easier to train Hunting skills Excellent natural hunters Depends heavily on breed Social intelligence More independent communication Strong human bonding Adaptability Excellent at adjusting environments Excellent at routines Why Cats Are Excellent Problem Solvers Cats are natural hunters. In the wild, they need to observe, plan, and react quickly to survive. Studies have shown that cats are often willing to solve problems independently instead of immediately seeking human help. When faced with food puzzles, cats tend to keep trying different approaches until they find a solution. This problem-solving ability is one reason why interactive play is important for cats. Toys that encourage chasing, hunting, and thinking can help keep their minds active. For example, a quality cat toy can simulate hunting behaviour and provide mental stimulation, especially for indoor cats. Free Your Hands Extended Elastic Wire Cat Stick Teaser Cat Toy $9.80 AUD View Product Miaofairy 3-in-1 Whack-A-Mole Cat Scratching Board Toy Price Available Online View Product Purlab Cuddle Goose Cat Toy With Catnip Price Available Online View Product Why Dogs Are Considered Highly Intelligent Dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, which has made them excellent at understanding human behaviour. They can recognise gestures, learn commands, remember routines, and work together with people. This is why dogs are often used in roles such as assistance work, search and rescue, and detection tasks. Their intelligence is closely connected with teamwork and communication. A suitable dog toy can help dogs develop problem-solving skills while preventing boredom, especially for active breeds that need regular mental challenges. Natural Coffee Wood Dental Chew Stick for Dogs Price Available Online View Product Fruit & Veggie Plush Pet Toy with Crinkle Paper and Squeaker Price Available Online View Product Interactive Squeaky Plush Ball Dog Toy for Active Dogs Price Available Online View Product So, Are Cats Smarter Than Dogs? The answer depends on what type of intelligence you value. Dogs often excel in social intelligence, communication, and learning from humans. Cats are naturally strong at independent thinking, hunting, and adapting to new situations. Neither animal is simply “smarter”. They are intelligent in different ways. Instead of asking whether cats or dogs are better, a more useful question is: How can we provide the right environment to support their natural abilities? For cats, that may include climbing spaces, scratching areas, and interactive toys. A well-designed cat tree can encourage exercise, exploration, and mental stimulation. For dogs, regular training, interactive play, and engaging toys can help them stay physically and mentally healthy. At PawPawUp, we provide thoughtfully designed products that support the natural behaviours of cats and dogs, helping pets stay active, curious, and happy. Explore our collection of cat toy, dog toy, and pet essentials today to find the right match for your furry companion.

If you have one cat, is one litter box enough? Technically, it can be. But once you have two or more cats, the answer becomes less straightforward. A widely used rule is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So two cats should ideally have three boxes, three cats should have four, and so on. The reason is not simply cleanliness. Cats can be particular about where they toilet, and sharing a single box can create competition, stress or avoidance, especially if one cat tends to guard access. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association recommends one litter box per cat plus one extra, placed in different areas of the home rather than all together. It also recommends having at least one box on each floor where practical. See the FelineVMA guidance on litter box setup. How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need? A useful starting point is: Number of Cats Recommended Litter Boxes 1 Cat 2 Boxes 2 Cats 3 Boxes 3 Cats 4 Boxes 4 Cats 5 Boxes 5 Cats 6 Boxes This does not mean every one-cat apartment absolutely needs two huge trays. Space matters. But if your cat is having accidents, avoiding the tray or regularly waiting for you to clean it before using it, adding another cat litter box is one of the simplest things to try. For multi-cat homes, additional boxes matter more because cats do not always consider a shared toilet a shared resource. Two cats that happily sleep together may still prefer different toileting areas. Why Putting Three Litter Boxes Together Does Not Really Count as Three One common mistake is buying enough trays but lining them all up in the laundry. From a cat's point of view, three boxes side by side may function more like one toileting station. If another cat blocks the laundry doorway, all three suddenly become inaccessible. Spread boxes across separate locations where possible. In a two-storey house, having trays on both floors is particularly useful for kittens, senior cats and cats with mobility issues. Avoid placing them directly beside food and water bowls, noisy washing machines or busy entryways. Cats usually prefer somewhere quiet but not somewhere so enclosed that they feel trapped. Choosing the Right Litter Box Matters Too More boxes will not solve the problem if your cat dislikes every box you provide. Size is one of the biggest considerations. Your cat should have enough room to enter, turn around, dig and cover waste comfortably. Large cats need substantially more floor space than kittens. Open trays give cats clear visibility and easy access, while enclosed boxes provide more privacy and can help contain scattered litter. Neither style is automatically better. Some cats strongly prefer one over the other. That makes it useful to offer different designs when setting up several litter stations rather than buying three identical boxes immediately. Three Practical Litter Box Options These three styles suit slightly different households. The enclosed MAX gives cats more privacy, the open tray provides straightforward access, and the stainless steel option has high edges and a non-porous surface for easier cleaning.  Makesure Cat Litter Box MAX $149.00 AUD View Product Makesure Open Cat Litter Tray with Litter Mat $69.00 AUD View Product Stainless Steel Open Cat Litter Box – Large High-Edge Design $69.00 AUD View Product The Makesure MAX measures approximately 67.7 × 49 × 49.5 cm and offers an enclosed setup for cats that like more privacy. The Makesure open tray measures 47 × 41 × 20 cm and includes a litter mat, while the stainless steel box measures 60 × 40 × 20 cm and uses high sides to help control litter scatter.  How Often Should You Clean Each Litter Box? Having extra trays does not mean cleaning them less often. Waste should ideally be scooped at least daily. In a busy multi-cat household, twice-daily scooping can make a noticeable difference. FelineVMA guidance recommends scooping once or twice daily and regularly emptying and cleaning the tray. Watch the litter depth as well. Too little litter may make digging frustrating, while filling the tray unnecessarily deep can create another texture your cat dislikes. Think of the box as part of a larger cat environment. Toileting, resting, scratching, playing and eating should each have their own spaces. For example, a cat scratcher belongs in an activity or resting area rather than directly beside the litter tray. What if Your Cat Suddenly Stops Using the Litter Box? Do not immediately assume your cat is being difficult. First check the practical things. Is the box dirty? Has the litter changed? Has another cat started guarding it? Did you move it somewhere noisy? Has your cat grown too large for the tray? For older cats, arthritis or reduced mobility may make a high entrance uncomfortable. A lower-entry tray or more conveniently located box may help. A sudden change in toileting can also have a medical cause. Urinary disease, constipation, diarrhoea and other conditions can contribute to house-soiling, so persistent or sudden changes are worth discussing with your veterinarian. The same principle applies to other stressful experiences. A new home, unfamiliar people or even a trip in a cat carrier can temporarily change a cat's routine. Keeping familiar litter and providing an easy-to-find toilet area can make transitions smoother. So, Is One Litter Box per Cat Enough? For one relaxed cat in a small home, one well-maintained box may work perfectly well. But the more cats you add, the more useful the one per cat plus one extra rule becomes. The bigger lesson is that quantity alone is not enough. A good cat litter box setup gives each cat choice, privacy, easy access and enough room to toilet comfortably. If you are setting up a new home, adding another cat or replacing an undersized tray, explore the litter boxes and everyday cat essentials available from pawpawup. Choosing the right size and placing it in the right spot can make everyday life cleaner for you and considerably more comfortable for your cat.

Your cat’s paws might look small and soft, but they do far more than simply carry your cat from one room to another. They help with balance, climbing, hunting, grooming, scratching, temperature regulation and even communication. Understanding how cat paws work can also make everyday care easier. You may notice why your cat dislikes having its feet touched, why scratching is such an important behaviour, or why a sudden change in the way your cat walks deserves attention. Here are 10 useful facts about cat paws that every cat owner should know. 1. Most Cats Have 18 Toes A typical cat has five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw, giving them 18 toes in total. The extra digit on each front foot is the dewclaw. Unlike the other toes, the dewclaw sits slightly higher on the leg and does not normally touch the ground when a cat walks. However, it can still help with gripping toys, prey or objects during play. It is worth checking dewclaws when trimming nails because they may not wear down as quickly as the other claws. 2. Cats Actually Walk on Their Toes Cats are digitigrade animals, meaning they walk mainly on their toes rather than placing the whole foot flat on the ground like humans. This body structure helps cats move quickly and quietly while keeping their legs relatively long for their body size. It also contributes to the springy movement you see when a cat runs, jumps onto furniture or suddenly launches into a round of zoomies. Their paw pads add traction, while the toes can spread slightly when extra grip is needed. 3. Some Cats Have Extra Toes Cats born with more than the usual number of toes are known as polydactyl cats. The extra digits can appear on the front paws, back paws or both. They are caused by an inherited genetic variation rather than anything the cat has done during its lifetime. Extra toes do not automatically cause a health problem, but owners should check the additional claws regularly. Awkwardly positioned nails may grow differently and can sometimes become overgrown if they do not naturally contact scratching surfaces. 4. Cats Can Have a Preferred Paw Cats are not always equally comfortable using both front paws. Research and behavioural observations suggest that some cats consistently favour one paw when stepping over an obstacle, reaching for food or batting at a toy. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that studies have found female cats may be more likely to favour the right paw, while males may be more likely to favour the left, although individual cats vary. You can test this at home by watching which paw your cat uses first across several different activities rather than judging from one attempt. 5. Paw Pads Help Cats Grip, Climb and Land Those soft pads underneath the feet are built for movement. They provide traction on different surfaces and help cushion the feet when a cat jumps down. The toes and claws then provide additional grip when climbing. This is one reason indoor cats benefit from stable vertical spaces rather than only having toys on the floor. A sturdy cat tree gives cats somewhere appropriate to climb, stretch their legs, use their claws and move between different heights. For larger or energetic cats, stability is more important than simply choosing the tallest tower. For cats that enjoy climbing and elevated resting spots, these three options offer quite different setups: Japanese-Style Double-Level Cat Tree 90901B $149.00 AUD View Product Luxury Japanese-Style Cat Tree with Large Bed 90906 $189.00 AUD View Product Fantasy Series Cat Climbing Tree – Dreamland 165cm $179.00 AUD View Product The compact 90901B is better suited to cats that mainly want a raised window-side bed, while the 115cm 90906 adds more climbing levels and a larger resting area. The 165cm Dreamland offers considerably more vertical movement for active cats and multi-level play. 6. Cats Can Sweat Through Their Paw Pads Cats do have sweat glands in their paws. Cats may leave damp paw prints when excited or stressed, although sweating through the paws only plays a relatively small role in cooling the body. So if you notice slightly moist paw prints during a vet visit or stressful situation, it does not necessarily mean your cat has stepped in water. 7. Scratching Is Part of Normal Paw Care Scratching is not simply a bad habit aimed at your sofa. Cats scratch to stretch their muscles, maintain their claws and remove old outer claw layers. Scratching also forms part of normal territorial behaviour. Rather than trying to stop scratching completely, give your cat an appropriate surface with enough resistance to push against. A stable cat scratching post should ideally let your cat extend its body comfortably without wobbling. Placement matters too. Put scratchers near sleeping areas, favourite furniture or places where your cat already scratches rather than hiding them in an unused corner. 8. Paw Pads Help Cushion Landings Cats are excellent jumpers, but their paws still deal with significant forces every time they land. The soft tissue within the paw pads helps provide cushioning and distributes some of the impact. Their flexible legs and joints also contribute, so it would be misleading to think of paw pads as the cat’s only shock absorber. For indoor cats, consider how they get down as well as how they climb up. Older cats, heavier cats and cats with mobility problems may appreciate lower platforms or intermediate steps instead of one large jump. 9. Paw Pads Are Highly Sensitive A cat’s paws contain many sensory receptors that help them respond to texture, pressure and movement. That sensitivity explains why some cats immediately pull their feet away when owners try to touch them. Instead of forcing paw handling, gradually build tolerance with short sessions, gentle touching and rewards. This becomes useful later when you need to inspect the paws, trim claws or check between the toes for litter, small objects or irritation. Quick Guide: What Your Cat’s Paws Can Tell You Your cat’s paws can sometimes give you useful clues about comfort, stress and mobility. The table below shows some common paw-related behaviours and what owners should pay attention to. What You Notice What It May Mean What You Can Do Frequent scratching Normal claw maintenance, stretching and scent marking Provide a stable scratching surface near favourite resting or activity areas. Repeated paw licking Normal grooming, but excessive licking may suggest irritation, injury or something trapped between the toes Check the pads, claws and spaces between the toes for redness, swelling or debris. Wet paw prints Cats can sweat through their paw pads, especially during stress or heat Consider the environment and watch for other signs of overheating or stress. Avoiding jumps or climbing Possible paw discomfort, joint stiffness or reduced confidence Add lower platforms or easier access points and monitor whether the behaviour continues. Limping or not putting weight on one paw Possible injury, damaged claw, foreign object or pain Inspect the paw carefully and contact a veterinarian if the problem is persistent or severe. 10. Paw Problems Can Be an Early Sign Something Is Wrong Get into the habit of occasionally checking all four paws. Look for swelling, broken claws, cuts, burns, cracked pads, redness or anything trapped between the toes. Also pay attention to behaviour. Repeatedly licking one paw, suddenly avoiding jumps or limping can indicate pain even when the injury is difficult to see. Minor surface dirt can usually be cleaned carefully, but persistent limping, bleeding, severe swelling or a damaged claw should be assessed by a veterinarian. If a trip to the clinic is necessary, using a secure cat carrier will also reduce the chance of further injury during transport. Give Your Cat’s Paws Somewhere to Work Healthy paws are designed to grip, climb, scratch, stretch and explore. Indoor cats still need opportunities to use those natural behaviours, so the goal is not simply to protect your furniture. It is to create an environment where the cat has better alternatives. Provide different scratching surfaces, check the paws regularly and choose climbing furniture that suits your cat’s size, age and activity level. Explore the range at PawPawUp to find a suitable cat tree, scratching furniture and everyday essentials designed to make indoor life more comfortable and interesting for your cat.