Source: Phys Org
A study published in Animal Behaviour by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University and the HUN-REN–ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group found that dogs behave more like toddlers than cats when it comes to helping humans. The team compared untrained companion dogs, cats and 16–24-month-old children to see whether they would spontaneously help a caregiver locate a hidden object without being asked or rewarded.
More than 75% of dogs and toddlers indicated or retrieved the object, showing strong prosocial motivation even though the item—a sponge—had no value to them. Cats, however, rarely helped unless the hidden item was something they personally wanted, such as a favorite toy or treat.
Researchers suggest the difference reflects evolutionary history. Dogs evolved from highly social ancestors and were shaped by thousands of years of cooperation with humans. Cats descended from more solitary ancestors and were not selectively bred for cooperative tasks. The findings highlight how domestication and social evolution influence pets’ willingness to help.
Read the full story HERE: https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dogs-toddlers-cats-humans.html