Why some people love animals, according to science

Ancient partnership

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Humans have bonded with animals since prehistoric times. These early relationships weren’t just for survival; they laid the groundwork for emotional connections, with some animals eventually becoming trusted companions and not just tools or food sources.

From wild beasts to best friends

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Domestication began when early humans formed friendly relationships with certain animals. By treating them as companions rather than food, humans helped create today's pet species, whose ancestors were chosen for their tameness and sociability.

Biophilia

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Humans may be hardwired to love nature and living things. The biophilia hypothesis suggests we have an inborn tendency to connect with animals and nature, since it offers emotional balance in increasingly artificial environments.

Caregiving instincts

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Animal features that resemble human babies (such as big eyes or small noses) activate our natural caregiving responses. This “baby schema” encourages us to nurture and protect animals, especially those with cute, vulnerable appearances.

The brain’s reward centers

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Brain scans show that seeing our pets activates emotional and reward centers, much like seeing a loved one. This neurological response reinforces affection, making time spent with pets emotionally gratifying and deeply fulfilling.

Empathy and compassionate hearts

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Animal lovers often score high on empathy when it comes to psychological evaluations, since they have a tendency to show strong concern for the feelings and welfare of others. This compassionate mindset extends naturally to animals, driving their desire to nurture, protect, and emotionally connect.

The hierarchy of humanity

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Loving pet owners often assign human traits to animals—talking to them, interpreting emotions, or treating them like family. Experts believe that those who vehemently dislike animals oftentimes enforce a hierarchy where animals are seen as lesser than and not equal to humans.

Cute vs. creepy

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

The level of a person’s affection toward animals also verily depends on appearance and instinct. Mammals with soft features are seen as cute, while reptiles or insects may trigger fear or disgust due to deep-rooted evolutionary responses designed to protect us.

Animals in religion and spirituality

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Religious beliefs often influence how animals are viewed. Some cultures (such as indigenous Americans and Hindus) revere them as sacred, while others stress human superiority. These views can foster deep respect and love, or create emotional distance from animals altogether.

Modern pet parenthood

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Today, pets are more pampered than ever. With fewer children and more emotional space, people increasingly treat pets like kids. This modern view amplifies love and reshapes how society sees the human-animal bond.

Lack of exposure

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Many people who don’t love animals simply never had the chance to bond with them. Without early positive experiences, animals remain unfamiliar or irrelevant, which makes emotional connection less likely to develop over time.

Time, money, and responsibility

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Some people avoid pet ownership not out of dislike, but due to the effort involved. Pets require time, care, and finances—barriers that may lead people to appreciate animals from afar while avoiding the commitment of ownership.

Social and cultural pressures

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

Social environments shape whether loving animals is encouraged or seen as odd. Some people downplay affection due to fear of judgment or peer norms, even if they secretly enjoy animal companionship or admiration.

Cruelty and pathology

Ancient partnership, From wild beasts to best friends, Biophilia, Caregiving instincts, The brain’s reward centers, Empathy and compassionate hearts, The hierarchy of humanity, Cute vs. creepy, Animals in religion and spirituality, Modern pet parenthood, Lack of exposure, Time, money, and responsibility, Social and cultural pressures, Cruelty and pathology

In rare cases, people lack empathy entirely and may even harm animals. These pathological personalities don’t form emotional bonds and may see animals as tools or threats, not companions worthy of care or love.

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