Animal Emotions

Do animals think and feel?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D.

Queer Ducks and the Natural World of Animal Sexuality

A timely young adult book discusses research on same-sex sexual behavior among diverse animals, showing it's more common than many people think.

Yanking a Dog's Leash: A Welfare Concern for Dogs and Humans

Research shows dogs and humans suffer when a dog is pulled here and there.

Dog Bites: Behavior of Dogs and Humans Before an Attack

Detailed analysis of videos preceding dog bites offers an understanding of what dogs and humans were doing and how to prevent them.

The Unknown Emotional and Physical Lives of Sport Horses

A riveting book and the French Parliament calling for an overhaul in horse welfare at the 2024 Olympics highlight how these sentient beings are routinely abused in sport.

Clever Dogs, Happy Cats, and Myths of Human Exceptionalism

"Much Like Us" argues there are numerous similarities between diverse nonhumans and us, and we must appreciate other animals for who they are, not only in comparison with us.

Humans Aren't the Smartest Among Earth's Diverse Intelligences

In a fascinating, wide-ranging book, James Bridle explains how the world is full of all sorts of other intelligences that are slowly revealing their complexity and agency.

How Animals Dream

A groundbreaking new book based on the latest behavioral and neuroscientific research explains the significance of animal dreams and shows we're not the only dreamers on Earth.

"Bitch" Repositions Female Animals to Where They Belong

Lucy Cooke decenters males, offers factual arguments against sexist science and cultural bias, and blows the cover off of misleading myths of males being the only show in town.

Trees Lower Medication Sales for Heart and Mood Disorders

New research in Brussels shows "both tree density and tree crown volume are inversely associated with medication sales for cardiovascular disease and mood disorders." Here's why.

Human Imprisonment, Animal Captivity, Social Justice, and Law

A new book called "Carceral Logics" explores "the complicated intersection of issues that arise in thinking about animal law, violence, mass incarceration, and social change."

The Science of Thinking and Feeling Like a Dog

Jules Howard's new book. written for a broad audience with a touch of history, shows what we really know about the cognitive and emotional lives of dogs—and much more.

Why New Zealand's Policy of Killing Animals Harms Children

An analysis of primary school curricula shows killing "pests" is encouraged, while there are deep concerns about the link between abusing nonhumans and harming humans.

Dolphins Use "Pee Mail" to Recognize Friends—and Birds Vote

Two fascinating studies show that bottlenose dolphins use urine to recognize friends—"pee pals"—and jackdaws vote as a group to fly away or stay put.

It's Time to Imagine a Walk on Your Dog's Terms

By imagining your dog walking you, there are many lessons such as not yanking them and saying, "Oh come on, there's nothing there!" when in fact, pee-mail has a lot of information.

It’s Time To Stop Wondering if Animals Are Sentient—They Are

We don’t need any more data to acknowledge that many nonhuman animals are sentient beings. Abundant science shows the real question is not whether sentience has evolved, but why.

Dog Training: Perception, Cognition, and Emotions

Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a form of force-free, positive training, focuses on why dogs do what they do based on their, not our, perceptions of a given situation.

Healthy Dog-Human Relationships Require Mutual Respect

Louise Glazebrook's book written from the dog's point of view explains how to make achieving reciprocal relationships playful and fun and that your dog isn't trying to annoy you.

Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Humans: Who's Moving in on Whom?

New data show how humans trespassing "here, there, and everywhere" affects the movement and behavior of wolves and bears, especially when looking for food and trying to rest.

Why Being Called a "Birdbrain" Is Quite a Compliment

An enlightening new book shows many human traits, including longevity, intelligence, monogamy and childrearing, and learning and language, are more avian than mammalian.

Is a "Bad Dog" Really a "Bad Dog?"

A blend of science, psychology, and patience go a long way in dog training. All too often calling a dog a "bad dog" says as much about the human as it says about the dog.

Are Pet Dogs Really Better Off Than Free-Range Canines?

An important new study highlights the unrealistic social expectations we place on pet dogs and the many ways we overrun their lives.

The Hearts and Souls of Passionate, Grudge-Holding Hawks

Sy Montgomery's new book explains how hawks are brilliant, emotional animals—loyal but quick to show anger and frustration and able to hold a grudge for years.

It’s Best Not to Judge Dogs by Their Covers

While dog breeds don’t have distinct personalities and breed is a poor predictor of a dog's behavior, understanding a dog's nature and nurture must be considered. 

Cats Deserve to Be Happy—Here's How to Enrich Their Lives

Dr. Zazie Todd's new book is an easy-to-read, research-based practical guide to how to give cats the fullest lives possible.

Domestication and Other Animal Models of Collective Trauma

Collective trauma is usually discussed only for humans, but domesticating other animals and how we're treating them in the Anthropocene are good examples of societal trauma.

Why Do So Many Animals Have the Ability to Do Math?

A new book challenges the myth that only a few animals have a knack for numbers and shows that many diverse nonhumans have well-developed numerical skills.

Empathic Skills of People With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Research finds that people with autism spectrum disorders have more difficulty understanding the emotions of humans than those of nonhumans.

Can Dogs Be Happy and Healthy Vegans?

A new study suggests that vegan diets are healthier and safer for dogs and may also positively affect their psychological well-being.

The Hidden Slippery Slopes of Animal Reintroduction Programs

A discussion of the biology, psychology, and ethics of moving animals such as wolves from one place to another to repatriate them in areas where others of their kind once lived.

Selfies Aren't Only About Self-Centered, Narcissistic Humans

A fascinating book 'Selfie Aesthetics' shows that narrow, popularized views stressing narcissism—"it's all about me"—sorely miss the point.

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