Animals

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.

A new study reveals that nearly half of dog owners experience "puppy blues"—feelings of anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion—similar to postnatal depression. While distressing, these emotions typically fade with time, leaving more positive memories of puppyhood.

A study from Oakland University suggests that cats may experience grief-like behaviors, such as reduced eating and increased attention-seeking, after the death of a companion pet, indicating that cats might mourn the loss of their animal companions.

A study in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that wild African elephants use unique calls to address specific individuals, akin to human names, without imitating vocalizations. This suggests elephants have complex communication methods previously thought unique to humans.

Higher neuroticism, conscientiousness, being female, over 50, a dog owner, or a parent are associated with stronger pet attachment, new research has found.

Men who own pets show significantly higher levels of empathy towards animals compared to farmers and non-pet owners, highlighting the potential impact of personal and emotional connections with pets.

Recent research found that veterans with trained psychiatric service dogs experienced significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, lower anxiety and depression, and improved overall quality of life compared to those receiving usual care alone.

A recent study found that individuals with anxious attachment styles experienced more severe grief after losing a pet.

AI models, initially designed for human speech, can accurately interpret dog barks, identifying emotions like playfulness or aggression, and even distinguishing age, breed, and gender, enhancing our understanding of canine communication.

New research in Animal Cognition reveals that dogs anticipate human actions based on location, not the object involved, highlighting a unique aspect of canine cognition. Unlike primates, who focus on objects, dogs' predictions are shaped by where actions occur.

New research shows that moral judgments about sexual assault on AI-powered sex robots are shaped by the robots' perceived mental capacities, their roles in relationships, and the nature of their interactions with humans.

Owning cats during early life may more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders in young adulthood, though the impact on milder psychotic-like experiences remains unclear.

A study from Eötvös Loránd University reveals that dogs form "multi-modal mental images" of toys, thinking about them through sensory dimensions like appearance and scent. This finding enhances our understanding of how dogs perceive and interact with their environment.

Scientists trained dogs to detect PTSD symptoms by recognizing stress-related markers in human breath. This new method could allow service dogs to intervene more effectively, helping their handlers manage symptoms before they fully manifest.