Animals do feel: they have emotions, pain, and pleasure

The fact that animals feel may seem obvious to many, but in practice, millions of animals are still treated as “things” or objects, spending most of their lives confined in cramped spaces with little or no hygiene, inadequate food, and a great deal of suffering—all while being fully aware of their poor condition.

Just as they can suffer and feel pain, animals are also capable of experiencing joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and other positive or negative emotions that a human being can experience. This is supported not by one, but by various scientific studies and the testimonies of numerous breeders and animal experts with years of experience.

Want to learn more about this topic? Follow us to understand why animals feel joy, sadness, pain, fear, and pleasure just like you!

Animals feel

From birds to mammals, including fish and even mollusks, animals feel because they possess neurological circuits and structures that generate consciousness—even though it may be difficult for us, as humans, to interpret what they are feeling just by observing them.

This finding was published by the elite of the scientific community in 2012, in the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in human and non-human animals. The studies conducted and published in the following years support this Declaration.

Here’s what some studies have revealed:

• American neuroscientists discovered that rats and mice have the same neural circuits that are activated when a person feels emotions.
• A study from Emory University in the USA showed that chickens have their own personalities, understand numbers, and feel fear, anxiety, and empathy.
• Primates and elephants have been found to possess a sense of justice (refusing to cooperate with those who mistreat them) and have even displayed episodes of revenge against aggressive trainers and handlers.
• Macaws, birds known for their beauty, remain loyal to their partners for life and may stop eating and die of weakness when they lose them.

The importance of ensuring animal welfare

It is common for breeders to claim that they follow all the legal requirements regarding the nutritional, sanitary, and vaccination aspects of animals—however, animal welfare is often overlooked.

Simply providing conditions for the animal to stay alive is not enough to ensure they are free from pain and discomfort.

When the specific characteristics of each species are respected, including providing appropriate environments and spaces for socializing, resting, and exercising their natural behavior, animals feel comfort, security, and well-being.

This also makes management easier, with fewer losses and damages, and the final product is valued more highly.

Moreover, ensuring animal welfare also attracts the attention and gains the trust of consumers.

Conscious consumers

An increasing number of consumers want to know where their food and products come from and how they are produced, especially when it comes to animal-origin goods.

And not just out of simple curiosity: people today demand healthier food that is not a result of animal suffering or environmental damage.

This trend is so strong that many farmers in Asia are rushing to adapt to the new times and provide adequate animal welfare to their livestock.

Being aware that animals feel joy, sadness, pain, pleasure, longing, fear, security, and other emotions that we are accustomed to experiencing is the first step in ensuring their well-being. This is good for producers, great for consumers, and excellent for the animals.

→ Learn how to obtain your animal welfare certification!

Published on September 7, 2024