Have you ever wondered what your cat is really feeling when she purrs on your lap? Or whether elephants mourn their dead? For centuries, we assumed that animals operated largely on instinct, with little room for emotions.

But the latest research tells a very different story—one that's reshaping how we think about the inner lives of animals.

Recent discoveries from neuroscience, behavioural studies, and field observations reveal that animals—from dogs to birds to octopuses—experience a wide range of emotions. This isn't just heartwarming—it's a scientific breakthrough that may change how we treat the animals we live with and share the planet with.

Let's explore what scientists are learning—and what it means for us.

The shift: from instincts to emotions

For much of modern science, animal emotions were a taboo topic. To avoid being accused of anthropomorphism (projecting human feelings onto animals), many researchers avoided the subject altogether.

That's changing fast. Advances in brain imaging, hormonal analysis, and long-term observation are providing hard data on what animals feel.

Dr. Jaak Panksepp, a pioneer in the field of “affective neuroscience,” showed that basic emotional circuits—like those for joy, fear, and grief—exist across many mammal species. His work helped open the door for serious scientific study of animal emotions.

As Dr. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, puts it: “It's no longer a question of if animals feel emotions. The question now is what they feel, how they feel it, and why.”

Joy: play reveals more than fun

One of the clearest emotional behaviours in animals is play—and it turns out to be much more than simple entertainment.

Rats emit high-frequency chirps associated with pleasure when tickled, as demonstrated in Dr. Panksepp's famous experiments. Dogs exhibit “play bows” and joy-driven behaviour that closely mirrors the emotional expressions of happiness seen in humans.

Even birds show playfulness: ravens have been observed sliding down snowy rooftops for fun, while parrots invent complex games with each other and with humans.

According to Dr. Bekoff: “Play is an emotional window into an animal's well-being. Animals that are stressed or fearful don't play. When they do, it's a sign of positive emotion.”

Grief: mourning in the wild

One of the most striking findings in recent animal emotion research involves grief.

Elephants are known to show clear mourning behaviours: returning to the bones of deceased family members, touching them with their trunks, and standing vigil.

Cetaceans—whales and dolphins—have been observed carrying dead calves for days, a behaviour many scientists interpret as grief. A 2018 study published in Zoology documented dozens of such cases worldwide.

Chimpanzees and even some bird species exhibit mourning-like behaviours after the loss of companions.

Dr. Barbara King, anthropologist and author of How Animals Grieve, argues that: “Grief is not uniquely human. When we look carefully, we see the emotional pain of loss in many social animals.”

Empathy: sensing the feelings of others

Empathy—the ability to sense and respond to the emotions of others—is now recognised in a growing number of animals.

Studies show that rats will work to free trapped companions, even when no direct reward is offered. Dogs show concern when their owners appear distressed, often attempting to comfort them.

Research with primates has revealed consoling behaviours: bonobos, for example, hug and groom individuals who are upset after a conflict.

Neuroscientist Dr. Frans de Waal explains: “Empathy is deeply rooted in our evolutionary past. The more we study social animals, the more evidence we find that they can recognise and respond to the emotions of others.”

Jealousy and fairness: complex emotions emerge

Some recent experiments suggest that animals may also feel more complex emotions, such as jealousy and a sense of fairness.

In a famous study, capuchin monkeys reacted angrily when they saw others receiving better rewards for the same task—throwing away cucumbers when neighbours got grapes.

Dogs also display jealousy-like behaviours when their owners pay attention to other dogs or even stuffed animals.

Dr. Sarah Brosnan, who led many fairness studies in primates, notes: “These responses show that animals care not just about their own outcomes, but about how those outcomes compare to others'. This adds a fascinating emotional layer to their behaviour.”

Why it matters: changing how we treat animals

Understanding that animals feel emotions has profound ethical implications.

It challenges how we design zoos, farms, shelters, and even our homes. Enrichment, social bonds, and opportunities for natural behaviour aren't luxuries—they are emotional needs.

Many experts now advocate for legal and policy changes based on this growing evidence. In 2022, the UK legally recognised certain invertebrates, including octopuses and lobsters, as sentient—capable of feeling pain and pleasure.

Dr. Lori Marino, neuroscientist and founder of The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy, says: “Once we acknowledge that animals are emotional beings, we have a responsibility to treat them with far greater respect and care.”

Final thoughts: connecting with the feeling world of animals

So, Lykkers—what do you think? The next time you see a crow playing, or your cat curled up contentedly, or even a squirrel carefully grooming its tail, remember: there's an emotional world unfolding there.

As science continues to explore these depths, one thing is clear—animals feel more than we ever imagined. The more we learn, the more we can build relationships with them rooted in understanding, empathy, and respect.

Perhaps the most remarkable discovery is not just how animals feel—but how those feelings can connect us more deeply to the living world we share.