Animal Emotions

Do animals think and feel?

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.

Diet
What Is Meat? It’s Probably Not What You Thought

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 3, 2026

A new book provides a hopeful, rigorously researched exploration of how science, policy, and industry can collaborate to meet our demand for meat while building a kinder, healthier world.

A new book provides a hopeful, rigorously researched exploration of how science, policy, and industry can collaborate to meet our demand for meat while building a kinder, healthier world.

Career
How Listening to the Sound of Feathers Can Awaken True Joy

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 31, 2026

Kathryn Gillespie asks us to notice the small wonders of life around us and be open to the idea that emotionally bonding with nature can renew our creativity, compassion, and joy.

Kathryn Gillespie asks us to notice the small wonders of life around us and be open to the idea that emotionally bonding with nature can renew our creativity, compassion, and joy.

Animal Behavior
A Deep Dive Into Why Joy is Essential, Who Feels It, and Why

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 27, 2026

Joy—fleeting woo-hoo moments like "catching the perfect wave"—is felt by many diverse animals, and researchers want to know how they express it in various situations and why.

Joy—fleeting woo-hoo moments like "catching the perfect wave"—is felt by many diverse animals, and researchers want to know how they express it in various situations and why.

Animal Behavior
Do Cows Use Tools? New Research Says Yes

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 19, 2026

The unexpected observation of a cow using a broom to scratch herself isn't necessarily surprising, but it expands our knowledge about the biodiversity of tooling.

The unexpected observation of a cow using a broom to scratch herself isn't necessarily surprising, but it expands our knowledge about the biodiversity of tooling.

Pessimism
How to Be Less Miserable, End Negativity, and Feel Joy

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 16, 2026

Lybi Ma's new book combines evidence-based research with personal stories to demonstrate how we can achieve greater inner peace and overcome the mental gloom that often plagues us.

Lybi Ma's new book combines evidence-based research with personal stories to demonstrate how we can achieve greater inner peace and overcome the mental gloom that often plagues us.

Animal Behavior
It's Time to Celebrate Animal Sentience and Stop Squabbling

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 14, 2026

Science and common sense show diverse animals are feeling beings who care about what happens to themselves and others, and skeptics need to stop ignoring well-established facts.

Science and common sense show diverse animals are feeling beings who care about what happens to themselves and others, and skeptics need to stop ignoring well-established facts.

Animal Behavior
How Living With Black Bears Transformed a Woman's Life

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 11, 2026

Trina Moyles' book "Black Bear" is a story of grief and a vision of peaceful coexistence that captures the fragility of our relationships with human and nonhuman species alike.

Trina Moyles' book "Black Bear" is a story of grief and a vision of peaceful coexistence that captures the fragility of our relationships with human and nonhuman species alike.

Animal Behavior
What Do Dogs and Other Pets Feel About Their Captive Lives?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 4, 2026

Jay Ingram's "The Science of Pets" is a must-read about facts and myths about a global "petpourri" of animals, what's in their hearts and heads, and what they think about it all.

Jay Ingram's "The Science of Pets" is a must-read about facts and myths about a global "petpourri" of animals, what's in their hearts and heads, and what they think about it all.

Animal Behavior
Keeping Jane Goodall's Magic and Hope Alive and Well Forever

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 29, 2025

In an ever-changing world it is essential to celebrate her astonishing lifetime of science, advocacy, humanitarianism, hope, and peace and unrelenting efforts to help all beings.

In an ever-changing world it is essential to celebrate her astonishing lifetime of science, advocacy, humanitarianism, hope, and peace and unrelenting efforts to help all beings.

Animal Behavior
Demystifying Dogs' Emotions: A Fun-Filled Illustrated Guide

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 21, 2025

Science-based comics make it fun to become fluent in dog and to use the golden rules of social behavior for the benefit of dogs, their humans, and trainers, a win-win for all.

Science-based comics make it fun to become fluent in dog and to use the golden rules of social behavior for the benefit of dogs, their humans, and trainers, a win-win for all.

Relationships
Deep Insights Into Paradoxical Human-Animal Relationships

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 13, 2025

Dr. Laurent Bègue-Shankland's award-winning interdisciplinary book examines our dominance of and affection for animals and how empathy toward animals can easily be manipulated.

Dr. Laurent Bègue-Shankland's award-winning interdisciplinary book examines our dominance of and affection for animals and how empathy toward animals can easily be manipulated.

Animal Behavior
Who Sharks Really Are and Why Monster Myths Must Be Shelved

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 7, 2025

Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza explains how, when people replace mistruths with facts, knowledge dissolves fear, compassion replaces misunderstanding, and empathy leads to protection.

Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza explains how, when people replace mistruths with facts, knowledge dissolves fear, compassion replaces misunderstanding, and empathy leads to protection.

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