"I've always argued that dogs, for example, are not our best friends nor are they unconditional lovers and that for companion animals-aka "pets"-to have the best lives possible, the people who choose to bring these individuals into their homes and hearts must become fluent in the languages they speak and how we must learn what they are telling us in the myriad ways they communicate what they're thinking about feeling about their lives in our homes."
"Of course, dogs and cats aren't the only animals who routinely become captive companion animals, and some other pets such as fully sentient rats, fishes, and reptiles (lizards and snakes) often suffer greatly when held captive because some people mistakenly think they're having great lives because people believe they don't need much social or physical enrichment. For a wide variety of reasons, I'm pleased Jay could take the time to answer a few questions about his most important new book about the lives of a wide array of pets, those who compose what he calls a "petscape.""
Companion animals form a broad "petscape" including dogs, cats, rats, fishes, lizards, snakes, and other species. Pets may not always have wonderful lives; some suffer in captivity from inadequate social and physical enrichment. Dogs are not intrinsically unconditional friends, and owners must learn species-specific signals and communication to understand pets' feelings and needs. Knowledge of how pet-keeping evolved and attention to mental and physical enrichment improves animal welfare. Some animals might be better off without human captivity, so careful evaluation of individual needs and appropriate care are required to help companion animals thrive.
Read at Psychology Today
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