dog cat emotionsThe Truth about Cats and Dogs Emotions

1st August 2015

I was stood at the checkout purchasing cat food when the lady checking my items scanned the bag of cat food and she glanced at it. On the back of the bag it read, “Tending to the Emotional Life of Your Cat.”  She repeated the heading, rolled her eyes, and said, “Cats with emotions? Good Lord.” Well, I was quick to assure her that, “Yes, cats have emotions. All animals have emotions.” She looked at me like I was a fruit loop of some sort.

It’s true. Anyone who has cared for animals knows this. Emotions like happiness, sadness and fear are felt by all creatures everywhere. When you get home from work, odds are, your dog greets you at the door rather like Dino used to greet Fred Flintstone: with a great deal of rambunctious joy! Cats express happiness through purring as we scratch their bellies. When dogs are feeling sad, they express this through downtrodden expressions. Cats become aloof and also seem to have a sad look about the eyes. Furthermore, it doesn’t take long to figure out that a canine is stressed, or a cat for that matter. In my opinion, those barks, growls, high-pitched meows and hissing sounds are clear proof that animals are in tune with how they are feeling and what they are experiencing.

But what about the more complex emotions? Well, I believe that animals have far more complex emotional lives than we give them credit for. I have had experiences that have shown this to be true in not only cats and dogs but other animals as well, which I would like to share with you. I had an unfortunate little grey bird fly into the bay window of my house one time just as I was headed to my car to leave for work. I heard the poor thing hit it behind me and went to where it lay to survey the damage and see if I could help in some way. I approached the little feathered thing and picked it up tenderly. I was heartbroken to see that it had a broken neck. I carefully placed it into the flowerbed and shed a few tears over its fatal accident, speaking to it with kindness. I was utterly amazed when out of nowhere another little grey bird flew over and landed right in front of where I was kneeling. He was extremely worked up and vocal. He’d been watching me from a distance tending to his injured mate. This wild bird was distraught enough to confront me and share exactly how he felt about the situation. Finally, I stood up slowly and headed to the car but before I could get in, that same grey bird landed on the hood of the car right in front of me. He was quiet and still. He just looked at me. Only two feet between us, I told him that there was nothing I could do and that I was very sorry. What he did then was beyond belief: He landed on my shoulder and stayed there for a few seconds. Then he was gone.

Does this sound too far-fetched? Honestly, I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand. My husband was with me, so he saw the whole thing happen, too, and was just as amazed. We just stood and looked at each other for a few seconds, dumbfounded, and not sure if all this really did happen.

This led me to believe wholeheartedly, that animals definitely have the ability to feel loss and to grieve. The Daily Mail Australia, last year reported on the saddest story about a dog whose mate had been hit by a truck and couldn’t be revived. The video showed the dog, pawing at his mate and howling into the winds as if to say ‘why him!’.

On a less sad note, shame is another emotion that naughty house pets express from time to time. Those big sad eyes, tail between the legs, and drooping head your dog shows you after he’s destroyed your favourite throw cushion. Why do you think your adorable kitten is hiding under the bed, staring out from a dark corner with guilty eyes? About the time you notice the shower curtain has been shredded, it all makes perfect sense. Here you can witness the evidence for dogs and cats for yourself.

Another complex emotion that animals have shown me is jealousy. When I got my cat Cecilia at the animal shelter, she was the only pet I had. For three years, she ruled the house. Then, I adopted two male kittens who needed homes. Cecilia was not happy--as a matter of fact, she was downright infuriated. Her little pussycat face became set in the same expression of jealous rage and she never warmed up to either one of the other cats. She was clearly jealous of the younger boys just like the first born human sometimes gets jealous of a new baby sibling. Pets become spoiled just like children and don’t like sharing your attention with anyone or anything, so they express their emotions through jealous behaviour. It has longed been argued by scientists and behaviourists alike, but now it seems that us pet owners have finally been proved right! A recent study done at the University of California San Diego claims to show that dogs do, in fact, feel jealousy.

Let us not forget however, the most powerful emotion of them all. The whole reason why we get pets to begin with: love. Our pets give us love that is unquestionable, steadfast and loyal. Are you nodding your head along with me here? If so, I rest my case, animals do experience emotions.

Cat boarding and the delicate nature of cats

The whys and how’s of pet sitting

A short guide to doggie day care

More 'Tails' and Tips

Write a Review

Home

Write a Review. Pets need you.

Write a Review ...
10 important questions to ask before boarding your pet
10 important questions to ask before boarding your pet

Going away on holiday can be an exciting time for us pet owners, yet how can you be sure that your companions stay will be as happy and relaxing as your own, whilst you are away? Leaving your pet with knowledgeable and experienced pet boarding operators can be achieved by knowing the right questions to ask.

Read more