My furry valentine

Dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, gerbils, degus, hamsters or rats – whatever the size or the species, if you have a furry friend in your life, you know exactly how they can steal your heart. But why is this the case? Why do we unconditionally love creatures that need walking, feeding, grooming and cleaning out – and who don’t even speak the same language as us?

Of course, pet owners will testify that there are all sorts of benefits. From helping us to keep fit, to providing companionship and filling us with an enormous sense of wellbeing, having pets is undoubtedly a good thing. However, scientists, with their analytical, evidence-based mindsets, struggle to put their finger on an explanation for these affectionate inter-species relationships.

A brief history

The story of humans beginning a meaningful relationship with another species started in the dim and distant past. Around 30,000 years ago, less timid wolves began to hang around hunter-gatherer people, perhaps seizing the opportunity to scavenge leftovers. Resourceful humans saw the value of wolves as hunting partners and protectors and domestication began. Over thousands of years, these canine ancestors evolved into dogs as we know them. 

Cats joined the history of pets story a little later. Somewhere around 8,000 years ago, people began creating settlements and farming. Quick-off-the-mark cats suddenly found a plentiful supply of food around grain stores and their vermin-hunting ability made them firm friends with farmers.

And the answer is?

But where, when and how did having a useful animal around the place turn into unconditional pet love for all manner of creatures beyond dogs and cats? You’ll be hard pressed to find an answer. Even the Director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University, Dr Clive Wynne – a man who has devoted his career to studying animal behaviour and the evolutionary relationship between animals and people – doesn’t know. 

In The Washington Post Dr Wynne admits that even though it’s possible to trace how animals found their place within human society, there’s no satisfying evolutionary explanation for the warm, gooey feeling we get when we look at our dogs and cats, stating: “My own dog, who I love out of all proportion, is utterly and completely useless.”

Some things simply defy explanation – even by the most learned and eminent minds. And perhaps, when it comes to the love we have for our pets, that’s just as it should be.

How does your pet show you that they love you?

There are all sorts of ways our pets tell us they’re loving our company, once you know what to look for...

• As well as a wagging tail and soft expression, dogs lean into your hand when you stroke them.
• A slow blink from your cat is a sign of true affection – in the cat world, closing your eyes in the presence of another is a sign of trust.
• If your bunnies adore being around you, they’ll softly grind their teeth to communicate contentment.
• When guinea pigs are feeling really happy around you, you’ll be rewarded with a low ‘purring’ sound.
• Devoted rats will happily sit in your lap or on your shoulder, grinding their teeth (known as bruxing) to show they are quite content.
• You know your ferrets love you back when they perform the ‘dance of joy’ around you – this involves puffing up their tail, baring their teeth and hopping around in all directions.
• Chinchillas who have bonded with you will like it if you sit on the floor so they can show their affection by hopping all over you while they make little chattering sounds.
• Gerbils reveal they’re really happy to see you by jumping up in the air.
• A yawning hamster isn’t bored – they’re simply pleasantly sleepy and comfortable in your company.
• Degus show fondness by grooming one another – so if your degus start gently nibbling on your skin, remember it’s just their way of showing they care.

Read more about how your pets show happiness and affection here

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Sources: bbc.co.uk/earth, washingtonpost.com, newscientist.com