It's a question that cat lovers and dog fans have debated for centuries – but which are smarter, aloof felines or man's best friend?

Cat owner Duy decided to test his pet Coco with a little challenge to find out. He used a puzzle designed for dogs and that contains treats a dog needs to unlock to enjoy.

More from IBTimes UK

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Coco the cat to figure out the puzzle – even if there was a little cheating along the way.

In January, scientists in Japan proved that cats are just as good as dogs at performing memory tests – which suggests they are equally clever.

Dogs are able to recall specific non-immediate events, which is known as episodic memory.

The study – involving 49 domestic cats – showed felines are also able to remember pleasant experiences, such as eating their favourite foods or recalling which bowl they had already eaten out of.

Another study published in 2015 found the cat family – felids – have historically been much better at surviving than canids, which includes dogs, wolves and other dog-like mammals.

The research – which involved more than 2,000 ancient fossils – found cats have played a significant role in making 40 dog species extinct, partly because cats are generally more effective hunters and have outperformed dogs when it comes to seeking out food when it is scarce.

coco the cat