Can my pet really love me back?

Since February is known as the month of love, we started thinking about how much we love our pets and whether they, and other animals, can love us back. Are animals really capable of feeling love? Many of us would quickly say, “Yes!” But the reality is more complicated and even more interesting. Recently one of our employees went to a lecture about animal emotions. This month she shares what she learned, and why it matters for the animals we care for, plus store news and Astro specials, all below!

Hi, Manda here! I’m a behind-the-scenes employee here at The Holistic Pet Nutrition Center, so we probably haven’t met, but one thing I love about working here is with stores and employees all over the country, we get to hear about new things from every corner of the animal world. A few months ago, I attended a lecture at The University of New England’s (UNE) Science Cafe called “Measuring Emotions in Animals” where Dr. Brian Greco talked about how scientists study and understand emotions in animals.

Two months later, in another corner of the country, a couple of us took a much-needed vacation and visited The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. There, we learned some interesting things about sea turtles and how they live. So, how can we use this newly learned information to help animals?

It’s not too often that a university lecture begins with a video of a Nirvana song, but at UNE’s presentation, this song was selected for a purpose. The final track on Nirvana’s debut LP, Nevermind, was a song called “Something in the Way”, written by Kurt Cobain about living a transient lifestyle, at times sleeping under a bridge. It was under this bridge that Kurt sings about trapping animals; instead of eating them, he made them his pets, believing it’s only okay to eat the fish because they have no feelings. Hearing this, my mind immediately went to another song, this one a few years later by Ani DiFranco, “Little Plastic Castle,” in which she declared that goldfish have no memories.

What Ani DiFranco didn’t know, is that at that time I had a goldfish. He was one of the biggest goldfish I’d ever seen. His name was Bob. Bob lived in our living room, where I could watch him every day. Did he have no memory? He definitely seemed to remember his food. A couple of taps on the glass and he’d mosey his way to the top of his tank, ready for the flakes I was about to sprinkle above. I thought of her song when I got him a little ceramic rock arch, (almost a plastic castle). At first he wouldn’t swim near it, but eventually he did, and eventually he even swam through it. He got used to it being there… meaning he remembered it. I didn’t believe Ani DiFranco. But, did he have feelings? How in the world could I tell? Well, I couldn’t.

Mentally bringing myself back to the lecture, the speaker asked if we thought animals have emotions. Someone replied, “What do you consider emotions?” That was exactly the question he wanted. First, he explained what scientists mean by feelings, then described what they call emotions and affective states.

I admit, it was here that my mind trailed off a bit and wondered, knowing this info, what does it matter? What good for animals can we do with it? Well, a lot…

Understanding animal emotions is fundamental to improving the health and well-being of pets. When scientists study how pets experience stress, fear, comfort, and social connection, that knowledge helps shape better veterinary care, safer handling, and more supportive environments. This information also influences how pet foods and supplements are developed and how stress-related health issues are addressed, leading to healthier, happier lives for them.

Research into animal emotions helps more than just pets. In farming, understanding how animals feel has improved their welfare and productivity. For example, Dr. Temple Grandin changed the cattle industry by using behavioral science to create calmer, more humane systems. She showed that respecting animal emotions is not just sentimental—it’s smart. Her important work is featured in the HBO film Temple Grandin, which is worth watching. Animal welfare is a top concern of ours when selecting foods that we sell; one reason that brands must be willing to disclose their sourcing in order to be carried in our stores.

Beyond our fascination with Earth and all its creatures, learning about animal behaviors helps us better learn to co-exist with them too. For instance, did you know that sea turtles have no lifetime partner, family or even a pack? They never even see their babies! They live a completely solitude life from other turtles. This lifestyle is completely contrary to say, the beaver. Beavers live a monogamous life, and family units stay together similar to humans. Without research into wildlife feelings and behaviors, conservation and restoration efforts wouldn’t even exist. Even you and I can help by knowing our local wildlife’s behaviors when potentially coming across animals and deciding what to do for the best outcomes of both parties.

Back at the lecture, we learned methods that researchers use to observe and measure animals' feelings.

Using these methods, they concluded that fish DO feel pain and respond accordingly, so yes, they do have feelings. As a matter of fact, many animals, and even bugs, do! According to Dr. Brian Greco, shellfish are the only species type that we don’t know about.

Sadly, there aren’t many studies on positive emotions in animals. That’s where we can help! Let’s make every day fun and positive for our pets and enjoy the love they give us. Most dogs and cats can learn to expect a treat as a reward. Try teaching them a new trick and enjoy being your own scientists at home!