Do cats understand object permanence as well as dogs?

Yes, cats demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of object permanence, comparable to many dog breeds and human infants around 12-18 months. Both species can track objects through invisible displacements (Stage 5), indicating they understand an object still exists even when unseen. While direct IQ scores for this specific cognitive ability aren't typically assigned, the *level* of understanding is similar. Explore our full article for a deeper dive into feline and canine cognition.