Mere choice of pet is enough to win that challenge...
With the cat you've got low maintenance, i.e. food, water & liter box. They give themselves baths, catch unwanted critters, are snuggly, more often than not can whip a dog's **** & don't embarrass the species with inability to contain emotion.
The cat knows he's loved, sleeps 18-20 hrs + & spends most of the time he's awake cleaning.
Yes, merely being drawn to cats as an acceptable pet rather than dogs shows greater intelligence on the part of cat owners.