Animal Emotions

Consciousness

Animal Minds: Can We Really Know What They Think and Feel?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 18, 2026

Dr. Mike Dacey analyses the challenges researchers face when studying the cognitive and emotional lives of animals and offers a holistic optimistic pathway for future research.

Dr. Mike Dacey analyses the challenges researchers face when studying the cognitive and emotional lives of animals and offers a holistic optimistic pathway for future research.

Ethics and Morality

A Compassionate History of American Attitudes Toward Animals

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 16, 2026

Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy's new book offers a history of the moral revolution on behalf of animals and ask us to honor the obligations we have to all our kindred creatures.

Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy's new book offers a history of the moral revolution on behalf of animals and ask us to honor the obligations we have to all our kindred creatures.

Animal Behavior

Why Rick McIntyre Is the Go-To Guy for All Things Wolves

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 14, 2026

This tireless researcher, widely recognized as "the ultimate guru of wolf behavior," talks about his long-awaited memoir filled with science, grit, laughter, life lessons, and heart.

This tireless researcher, widely recognized as "the ultimate guru of wolf behavior," talks about his long-awaited memoir filled with science, grit, laughter, life lessons, and heart.

Animal Behavior

The Clout of Companion Animal Psychology for Dogs and Cats

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 11, 2026

Psychologist Zazie Todd makes the science of dog and cat behavior widely accessible and teaches pet guardians how to use positive, force-free methods.

Psychologist Zazie Todd makes the science of dog and cat behavior widely accessible and teaches pet guardians how to use positive, force-free methods.

Animal Behavior

Reimagining Animal Sentience: A Novel View of Animal Minds

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 7, 2026

An eye-opening new book seamlessly intertwining science with poetry—"kinpoetics"—depicts other animals as individuals with dynamic personalities, emotional lives, and subjectivity.

An eye-opening new book seamlessly intertwining science with poetry—"kinpoetics"—depicts other animals as individuals with dynamic personalities, emotional lives, and subjectivity.

Relationships

Dogs and People: Stories of Redemption and Mutual Rescue

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 4, 2026

Katharine Mershon examines how stories about human-dog relationships are actually very much about ourselves—​who's rescuing whom—​as well as race, identity, and thriving.

Katharine Mershon examines how stories about human-dog relationships are actually very much about ourselves—​who's rescuing whom—​as well as race, identity, and thriving.

Relationships

Dogs, Cats, and Other Nonhumans Are Not 'Just Animals'

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 28, 2026

Rob Gierka and Karen Duke explain why this dated, insensitive dismissal ignores the power of human-animal bonds and how animals are vital to our physical and spiritual well-being.

Rob Gierka and Karen Duke explain why this dated, insensitive dismissal ignores the power of human-animal bonds and how animals are vital to our physical and spiritual well-being.

Animal Behavior

'Animate': How Nonhuman and Human Minds Are Inherently Linked

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 24, 2026

Michael Bond explains how animals have influenced our minds and cultures and why human exceptionalism is downright misleading―we are not separate from or superior to other animals.

Michael Bond explains how animals have influenced our minds and cultures and why human exceptionalism is downright misleading―we are not separate from or superior to other animals.

Relationships

The Power of Human-Animal Relationships: 'Unleashing the Bond'

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 19, 2026

Rustin Moore argues that human-animal interactions are more than feel-good phenomena and that these connections enhance health, resilience, and well-being, often in unnoticed ways.

Rustin Moore argues that human-animal interactions are more than feel-good phenomena and that these connections enhance health, resilience, and well-being, often in unnoticed ways.

Animal Behavior

Marginalized Animals: Important Life Lessons from "Pests"

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 17, 2026

An entertaining view of what unpopular creatures, including raccoons, rats, coyotes, gulls, snakes, and other intruders, teach us about intelligence, adaptability, and ourselves.

An entertaining view of what unpopular creatures, including raccoons, rats, coyotes, gulls, snakes, and other intruders, teach us about intelligence, adaptability, and ourselves.

Relationships

The Ethics of Dog-Human Relationships—The Trouble with Play

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 11, 2026

Julia B. Linares-Roake explores how people navigate the muddiness of living with dogs from their point of view as we over-control how they play and express their "dogness."

Julia B. Linares-Roake explores how people navigate the muddiness of living with dogs from their point of view as we over-control how they play and express their "dogness."

Ethics and Morality

Cows Are Not Placid, Dull, or Stupid

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 7, 2026

A review of Michael Glover's book about how colonialism affected the lives of cattle.

A review of Michael Glover's book about how colonialism affected the lives of cattle.

Animal Behavior

Animal Consciousness: Behavioral Flexibility Is Ubiquitous

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on March 2, 2026

It's time to stop bickering, accept what science tells us, acknowledge the widespread occurrence of intentional behavioral flexibility, and pay attention to why it has evolved.

It's time to stop bickering, accept what science tells us, acknowledge the widespread occurrence of intentional behavioral flexibility, and pay attention to why it has evolved.

Environment

Brawn and Engineering, Not Brains, Led to Human Domination

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 19, 2026

A new book offers eye-opening ideas that physical power and engineering brilliance—rather than intellect—allowed us to dominate the planet.

A new book offers eye-opening ideas that physical power and engineering brilliance—rather than intellect—allowed us to dominate the planet.

Ethics and Morality

The Hidden Lives of Lab Animals and the Need for Reform

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 17, 2026

Larry Carbone offers an insider's perspective on the ethics of using animals in invasive research, the need for more compassion, and what must be done immediately on their behalf.

Larry Carbone offers an insider's perspective on the ethics of using animals in invasive research, the need for more compassion, and what must be done immediately on their behalf.

Ethics and Morality

Dog Training Methods Reflect Owners' Stance on Animal Ethics

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 14, 2026

Research shows that people with an animal rights mindset preferred positive force-free training, while anthropocentrists preferred physical correction protocols.

Research shows that people with an animal rights mindset preferred positive force-free training, while anthropocentrists preferred physical correction protocols.

Animal Behavior

Tool Use By Animals: Why the Hype and Why It's So Important

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 12, 2026

Benjamin Beck, an authority on "tooling," offers a state-of-the art clarification of this fascinating behavior and why it's essential to know more about the nitty-gritty details.

Benjamin Beck, an authority on "tooling," offers a state-of-the art clarification of this fascinating behavior and why it's essential to know more about the nitty-gritty details.

Animal Behavior

For Your Pet to Thrive, Listen to What They're Asking of You

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 10, 2026

Jeff Feinman's love letter to animals views wellness through their perspective and combines scientific rigor with spiritual sensitivity so they can have happy and balanced lives.

Jeff Feinman's love letter to animals views wellness through their perspective and combines scientific rigor with spiritual sensitivity so they can have happy and balanced lives.

Ethics and Morality

The Morality of Predator Control

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 7, 2026

Three experts assess the mindset and morality of lethal control​ and human responsibilities toward nonhuman animals​, and in doing so, they expose the "con" in conservation.

Three experts assess the mindset and morality of lethal control​ and human responsibilities toward nonhuman animals​, and in doing so, they expose the "con" in conservation.

Biophilia

Rewilding Rejects the We're-So-Special Exceptionalism

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 5, 2026

Personal Perspective: Personal rewilding is a positive, inspirational movement that means getting over our self-centered mindsets.

Personal Perspective: Personal rewilding is a positive, inspirational movement that means getting over our self-centered mindsets.