Do you think animals have emotions ?

Question

Do they have emotions or are they driven by the need to reproduce and food ?

Answer 1

nope they are just freakin animals

Answer 2

There are animals with varying degrees of intelligence, and varying degrees of emotional capacities. I personally believe that to have the ability to experience complex emotions requires higher cognitive functioning, aka intelligence. So the lower on the food chain you go, possibly the less ability those particular animals have at experiencing emotions. What exactly is emotion to you? I will say that it is a scientific fact, that some animals do in fact have emotions. For example, I have read that elephants happen to be very emotional. And in regards to your second question, they have emotions and an instinctive drive for survival. I think you are maybe asking the wrong question. What animals are lacking in a sense, is the ability to self reflect, except some monkeys might have acquired this. Humans have self awareness, most other animals do not. And also I think part of survival involves some type of emotional response. But this is all assumptions I just made because I liked your question and wanted to try and respond but I am no expert when it comes to animals so I could definitely be wrong.

Answer 3

I think you are asking 2 separate questions here. Animals go into heat and are driven by the hormones and instinct that drive them to reproduce. Hunger drives them to search for food.

We humans have domesticated alot of animals and they look to us for affection and I believe they rather enjoy being petted and loved. I have seen alot of sad eyed dogs and cats in the shelter where I work. When a person adopts them they perk up and that to me is a true emotion of hope.

Answer 4

I know they have emotions! If you had know the two cats I've lost after 13 an 14 yrs old, you would know it for a fact too. They each have a different personality. The cat I have left is 17 yrs old. When she was a kitten if I raised my voice at my husband in an argument, she came to my feet and cried.

Answer 5

Whatever you want to call it, yes. Some cats are definitely more "emotional" than others.

But they are driven to reproduce -- as are all species -- and eat. Again, we all gotta have that, too.

Answer 6

animals defiantly have emotions for example:

Animals feel pain, therefore they can feel sad or sick. You know this when they are lethargic or have a change in personality.
They feel fear when they see something larger and scarier then they are, resulting in some puffing up of fur or running away .
they feel love. when a cat looks to you and blinks his eyes, its called love. When a cat willingly lies and cuddles into you its called love. When a horse willing comes up to you its called trust. When a dog protects his owner form intruders its called loyalty.
All animals feel some kind of emotion. We see it everyday in how they act towards us when we come home (exciteded) and when they have had a big day (tired) or when they feel threatened (angry).

if you do not think they show emotion you are a sociopath..

Answer 7

well dogs are primarily the animal of choice that ive always grown up with. all different kinds. but yes they definitly have emotions exactly like we do. i mean, when they are puppies and taken from their parents they are scared and shy away from you, then as they get to know you they put all their trust into you.

Answer 8

Lots of animals have emotions. But you can't compare them to human emotions. Animals' emotions are primitive. The basics: fear, happiness, anger, jealousy, depression.

Answer 9

Yes they do. If humans have emotions, then animals have them too. Humans are also animals, just a little less intelligent.

Answer 10

I've seen dogs grieve,express joy,and; recently the chief of police in our town whose ancient lab was very ill, had taken her to one of her favorite places,she was too ill to leave the front seat of his vehicle.She watched him finish her grave. She was too weak to get out of the vehicle on her own,so he came to the truck and started to carry her to the grave half way there she whimpered and died in his arms. The tough young cop admits to crying like a baby.
My point is that animals understand much more than we can possibly imagine.

Answer 11

Absolutely. I have no doubt. I have never conducted scientific experiments on my pets to prove this, but then, neither have I on my kids and husband, but I can read it in their faces, body language, and overall behavior. Most the time they don't have to tell my what they are feeling. Same with my dog.