Animals and Us

Personality

We Know Animals Have Personalities. Does That Make Them Persons?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on June 21, 2021

That animals from bugs to chimps have individual personalities is now widely accepted. But the moral implications are unclear.

That animals from bugs to chimps have individual personalities is now widely accepted. But the moral implications are unclear.

Sex

Women Dominate Research on the Human-Animal Bond

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on May 24, 2021

Women now comprise about 80% of investigators who study the human-animal bond. But the lack of male subjects in human-interaction research remains a big problem for researchers.

Women now comprise about 80% of investigators who study the human-animal bond. But the lack of male subjects in human-interaction research remains a big problem for researchers.

Trauma

Do School Closures Cause a Surge In Dog Bites to Children?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on April 12, 2021

In the wake of pandemic stay-at-home orders, the number of children who suffered dog bites sky-rocketed. The question is why?

In the wake of pandemic stay-at-home orders, the number of children who suffered dog bites sky-rocketed. The question is why?

Moral Injury

How Much Money Is Your Pet Worth to You?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on March 2, 2021

Lady Gaga recently offered $500,000 for the return of her two French bulldogs. Behavioral economics and the law offer different perspectives on the monetary value of pets.

Lady Gaga recently offered $500,000 for the return of her two French bulldogs. Behavioral economics and the law offer different perspectives on the monetary value of pets.

Anxiety

Study Finds Therapy Dogs Have No Effect on Anxiety in Teens

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

A new high-quality study raises important questions about the effectiveness of therapy dogs to relieve anxiety in teens.

A new high-quality study raises important questions about the effectiveness of therapy dogs to relieve anxiety in teens.

Child Development

Why Do Children Prefer to Save Dogs Over People?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on February 4, 2021

Children seem to be more likely than adults to value the lives of dogs and pigs over the lives of humans. Is this difference related to speciesism or immature thinking?

Children seem to be more likely than adults to value the lives of dogs and pigs over the lives of humans. Is this difference related to speciesism or immature thinking?

Relationships

Does Becoming a Vegetarian or Vegan Affect Your Love Life?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on December 22, 2020

A new study finds that becoming a vegetarian or vegan may change who you spend time with and restrict your pool of dating partners.

A new study finds that becoming a vegetarian or vegan may change who you spend time with and restrict your pool of dating partners.

Depression

New Study Asks “Do Assistance Dogs Improve Mental Health?”

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on December 7, 2020

A crack research team carefully examined 27 studies on the impact of assistance dogs on the mental health of people with disabilities. What they found was a big surprise.

A crack research team carefully examined 27 studies on the impact of assistance dogs on the mental health of people with disabilities. What they found was a big surprise.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why Do People Risk Their Own Health for Their Pets?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on October 24, 2020

“If my husband and I both had COVID, we would not leave our pets.”

“If my husband and I both had COVID, we would not leave our pets.”

Loneliness

Do Pets Improve Mental Health During COVID Lockdowns?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on October 13, 2020

The surprising results of a new study on the impact of pets on psychological problems associated with pandemic lockdowns.

The surprising results of a new study on the impact of pets on psychological problems associated with pandemic lockdowns.

Loneliness

Is America Really Raining Cats and Dogs?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

A pet industry insider argues that America needs at least 140 million additional dogs and cats. But some demographic forces point in the other direction.

A pet industry insider argues that America needs at least 140 million additional dogs and cats. But some demographic forces point in the other direction.

Diet

Did Eating Human Poop Play a Role in the Evolution of Dogs?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on August 24, 2020

"Interspecific coprophagia Involving human excrement" may have played an important role in the evolution of dogs from wolves.

"Interspecific coprophagia Involving human excrement" may have played an important role in the evolution of dogs from wolves.

Stress

The Problem of Loving Pets With Behavior Issues

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on August 6, 2020

A new study examines the "caretaker burden" associated with loving and living with dogs and cats who have serious behavior problems.

A new study examines the "caretaker burden" associated with loving and living with dogs and cats who have serious behavior problems.

Animal Behavior

Why Has the “Pet Effect” Meme Spread So Rapidly?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on June 26, 2020

An analysis of press coverage of "the pet effect" partially explains the mismatch between our beliefs about the impact of dogs and cats on human health and what the science says.

An analysis of press coverage of "the pet effect" partially explains the mismatch between our beliefs about the impact of dogs and cats on human health and what the science says.

Diet

Can Pets Really Help Fight America's Obesity Epidemic?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on May 21, 2020

Do pets really save Americans nearly a billion dollars every year in obesity-related health care costs?

Do pets really save Americans nearly a billion dollars every year in obesity-related health care costs?

Suicide

How Many People Who Die By Suicide First Kill Their Pets?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on April 27, 2020

Incidents in which pets are killed by suicidal owners are probably going to increase dramatically.

Incidents in which pets are killed by suicidal owners are probably going to increase dramatically.

Loneliness

Can Pets Relieve Loneliness In the Age of Coronavirus?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on April 13, 2020

People are flocking to animal shelters to adopt and foster dogs and cats. Here's what the science says about the connection between pets and loneliness.

People are flocking to animal shelters to adopt and foster dogs and cats. Here's what the science says about the connection between pets and loneliness.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Viruses of the Mind: The Great Irish Setter Epidemic of 1963

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on March 31, 2020

Research on fads for dog breeds reveals surprising similarities between the spread of viral infections and the spread of rapid changes in cultural preferences.

Research on fads for dog breeds reveals surprising similarities between the spread of viral infections and the spread of rapid changes in cultural preferences.

Sex

The Odd Demography of Loving Pets: Sex, Money, and Race

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on March 13, 2020

Thanks to new representative national study, we know a lot more about the impact of sex, race, ethnicity, and money on human-pet relationships in the United States.

Thanks to new representative national study, we know a lot more about the impact of sex, race, ethnicity, and money on human-pet relationships in the United States.

Diet

What Should Vegetarians and Vegans Feed Their Pets?

Hal Herzog Ph.D. on February 3, 2020

Many vegetarians and vegans are morally conflicted over the diets of their companion animals. Do plant-based dog and cat foods offer a solution to "the vegetarian's dilemma?"

Many vegetarians and vegans are morally conflicted over the diets of their companion animals. Do plant-based dog and cat foods offer a solution to "the vegetarian's dilemma?"