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Animal Empathy Anonymous
From experience or actual scientific knowledge, do pets have any sort of empathy to their owner's feelings?

I remember back in 7th grade when I was baawwwing and there was no one home the cat came charging in, demanding to be petted. Normally having never behaved that way before. Whenever she'd be in the room since then and I might be upset, she'd often just get up and start to demand attention, usually making me feel better.

Earlier I was pissed off and it happened again, making me curious about the whole thing. Do animals pick up on how their owner's feel? Or is it just coincidence?
>> Anonymous
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I have a cat that does that too, if she sees me crying she'll sit on my lap =]
>> Anonymous
Animals are experts at reading body language, since they haven't got a spoken one. Cats and dogs especially seem to be good at reading people. It's obviously impossible to tell what a pet feels, but quite often they seem to show empathy. Primitive sort of empathy has also been found in mice, so it might be more common in mammals than previously thought.
>> Anonymous
All animals are philosophical zombies.
>> Anonymous
its more in their self interest as well (prepare to be depressed)

Animals do show some empathy, but mostly to make sure their provider is in good shape to keep feeding them. While we think it's cute, they just want us feeling better so they can keep eating. similarly with dogs, when they bark at intruders, it's often to get YOUR attention so YOU can handle it.. they will follow your lead. But cats are generally more fickle.. if a neighbor feeds it more, they will stop showing up at your house
>> Anonymous
For fuck's sake, sympathy and empathy are not synonyms.
>> Anonymous
I have crippling back pain right now and one of my cats is snuggled in my lap. He usually never does that, prefering my partner's lap. It's making me feel better.
>> Anonymous
I got arrested when I was 15 (beers) and I went home and was crying and my Lab at the time was clearly concerned and sat next to me the whole time trying to lick me.
>> Anonymous
>>229687
Crippling BUTT pain, thanks to your "partner". Be honest.
>> Anonymous
>>229688
ahaha you fucking faggot
>> Anonymous
>>229690
I'm a girl >:{ and I have a slipped disc
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>229694
> >:{
Nice moustache, M'am.
>> Anonymous
I don't cry, 'cause I'm not a faggot, but if this counts, I remember when my dog was a puppy and hadn't quite realised how strong she was when we played, if she ever accidentally hurt me, she would always stop right away and lick me where she'd hit me and sort of try to pet me with her paw until she knew I was ok, and wouldn't try to start playing again unless I showed her it was ok and I wanted to keep playing.
Of course, if anyone's ever fighting, she runs away and hides like a little bitch and won't come out unless you pretty much drag her out... and once when people broke into our house and stole our car, she supposedly slept right through it (though I have a feeling she more likely would have given the intruders a friendly greeting) but ah well, no one's perfect.
>> KZN
I believe they DO have empathy; I do not see why not, because the part of the brain present in humans that causes 'feelings' is also present in other mammals... (I forget what it's called, does anyone here know?)

>>229639
As this Anon said, animals are very good at reading body language and posture. This also includes facial expressions as well, I think, especially with dogs.

Anyways, whenever I'm upset my dog can tell, and he comes to lay his head on my lap or lay next to me. The same goes with anyone else in my family, though mostly just me and my mother, since I guess he's 'closest' to the two of us.

As for my cat...I really don't know. I do think she's capable of empathy, but she doesn't seem to understand me much, since I've only had her for around 3 weeks.
>> Anonymous
>>229706
>>I do cry, just as long as no one sees. But I act tough on the intarwebz

Fix'd
>> Anonymous
>>229706
lol yes crying is known to be an indicator of a preference for anal sex with other men
>> Anonymous
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yes i can say that dogs at least do have empathy

and i love anal sex with my boy friend and im a girl, so stop ragging on anal sex, anal sex is good.

that is all

pick some what related, its my dog but he does not like anal sex, i think
>> Anonymous
>>229694
I made the butt joke. Could still be applicable. I have a herniated disc/k and feel your pain. No kidding. Hurts like a mofo sometimes. :(
>> Anonymous
Dogs can have genuine empathy for humans.

Cats, however, can not, as they are fucking cats. They may only seem "sad," but that's just because you aren't paying attention to them or feeding them anymore.
>> Anonymous
>>229791
Shut up CUnT.