Animals

Dogs seem more social and submissive than wolves, a difference long attributed to domestication. But a new study suggests another factor is at play: us. Humans interacting with both species were unconsciously warmer to dogs, complicating our understanding of their...

Thousands of years of co-evolution shaped dogs into emotional experts. Evidence suggests they respond to our tone of voice, recognize our facial expressions, and even mirror our stress. This interspecies empathy is reinforced by oxytocin, deepening the human-dog bond.

A new study in Animal Cognition found that pet dogs showed no preference for generous humans over selfish ones, whether they experienced the treatment themselves or observed it toward another dog, raising questions about dogs’ ability to form human reputations.

Your body has two major stress systems. A groundbreaking study now shows that having a dog nearby doesn't just blunt one response—it helps orchestrate both, keeping our biology in an optimal "sweet spot" to better handle life's challenges.

Pets can bring comfort—but for some, the bond may increase emotional distress. New research links anxious pet attachment to poorer mental health.

New research reveals that a cat's attachment style influences its behavior, problematic actions, and oxytocin levels during owner interactions, highlighting the importance of nurturing human–cat relationships.

A study in BMC Psychology found that while dog owners are more active, only independent exercise—not dog-related activities—improves mental health. Researchers caution against adopting dogs solely for well-being, as loneliness and exercise habits play a greater role.

Researchers trained rats to drive cars to study learning, anticipation, and joy. Enriched environments enhanced learning, while anticipation training improved cognitive and emotional resilience. The findings highlight the importance of positive experiences in shaping brain function and behavior.

A recent study found that human brains process emotional expressions from humans and dogs similarly, with empathy enhancing attention to emotional cues. Aggressive faces elicited stronger neural responses, highlighting our sensitivity to emotionally significant stimuli across species.

Dogs and their owners appear to share emotional states, reflected in synchronized heart rate variability and activity levels during interactions, highlighting a physiological bond unique to each dog-owner pair.

Animals create stunning, functional works that challenge the traditional notion of art as a uniquely human endeavor.

A recent review explores how animals regularly encounter ethanol in nature, its ecological and evolutionary significance, and urges research into its effects on animal behavior, health, and adaptations.

Research shows that when dogs and humans gaze at each other, their brain activity synchronizes, strengthening bonds and enhancing connection. Familiarity deepens this effect, highlighting the unique, neural-based relationship between humans and their canine companions.

Recent research found associations between childhood parenting styles and dog caregiving approaches in adulthood, with permissive upbringing linked to permissive dog care.

New research reveals that over 40% of cats play fetch, a behavior typically associated with dogs. The study explores the surprising similarities between the species, shedding light on predatory instincts, playfulness, and human-animal bonding.