It’s probably mostly a side effect of our ability to feel love for each other.
As a group animal we have an instinct to protect each other that is born from love, that instinct help us survive as a group. The pet is included and can become part of the group maybe even family.
This trait has also helped us build relations with some animals that have historically been beneficial to our survival, like dogs horses and farm animals. For less immediately “useful” pets, the instinct is the same, and although it doesn’t serve the same purpose, it may be helpful psychologically to overcome hardship, and maybe tie the group together more closely.
Yes, but that goes only for infant animals, infant animals generally look cute to most predators, to give them a chance to survive if they are detected by a predator.
But I think the question is meant to go further than that, because animals can become part of our group as adults too. And will help rescue and protect in a situation of disaster, and will also be rescued and protected. For those animals the love goes deeper than just looks.
It’s probably mostly a side effect of our ability to feel love for each other.
As a group animal we have an instinct to protect each other that is born from love, that instinct help us survive as a group. The pet is included and can become part of the group maybe even family.
This trait has also helped us build relations with some animals that have historically been beneficial to our survival, like dogs horses and farm animals. For less immediately “useful” pets, the instinct is the same, and although it doesn’t serve the same purpose, it may be helpful psychologically to overcome hardship, and maybe tie the group together more closely.
I think animal affection – particularly for cute, non useful animals – is an extension of our infant protection drive.
Yes, but that goes only for infant animals, infant animals generally look cute to most predators, to give them a chance to survive if they are detected by a predator.
But I think the question is meant to go further than that, because animals can become part of our group as adults too. And will help rescue and protect in a situation of disaster, and will also be rescued and protected. For those animals the love goes deeper than just looks.