What Pets Actually Want & Need | Dr. Karolina Westlund

My guest is Dr. Karolina Westlund, Ph.D., a professor of ethology at the University of Stockholm and an expert in animal emotions and behavior who uses science-based methods to improve the lives of animals in human care. We discuss the often overlooked needs of domesticated animals—primarily dogs and cats—and the things we can do to improve their well-being and our relationship with them.

We cover how to interpret animal body language, the unique needs of specific dog breeds, and the needs of cats and birds. We also discuss the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and how weaning age impacts a pet’s attachment style. Whether you’re a pet owner, trainer, or simply an animal lover, this episode teaches you how specific pet behaviors are rooted in their immutable biology—and the simple things you can do to vastly improve your pets’ health and well-being, as well as your relationship with them.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Karolina Westlund

00:02:19 Students & Animal Species; Horses

00:06:36 Dog Breeds & Interaction, Predatory Sequence, Smell, Domestication

00:12:42 Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep

00:16:09 Dog Breeds & Domestication, Bulldogs

00:20:16 Core Affect Space, Petting, Tool: Consent Test; Polyvagal Theory

00:27:53 Space, Dominance, Resources, Leash Walking; Dog-Owner Training

00:37:13 Tail Wagging & Interpreting Body Signals, Facial Expressions

00:43:24 Play Bow, Tool: MARS & Playing; Dogs & Empathy

00:48:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv

00:51:46 Fairness, Social Groups; Anthropomorphism vs Anthropodenial

00:57:45 Cats, Hunting, Bring Gifts?, Interaction & Socialization

01:03:56 Scent & Territorial Marking; Covering Waste, Tool: Litter Box Placement

01:08:17 “Pee Mail” & Communication; Wolves, Domestication

01:11:54 Zoos, Conservation; Tigers

01:18:53 Sponsor: Function

01:20:41 Stalking; Birds, Parrots

01:25:22 Nose Work, Wildlife Chasing, Tool: Dog Feeding & Challenge

01:31:01 Understanding & Choosing Dog for Your Lifestyle, Tool: Introducing Cats

01:34:27 Recognizing Self vs Other, Inbreeding Avoidance, Imprinting

01:40:51 Imprinting vs Attachment Bonds; Dogs, Weaning & Secure Attachment

01:48:36 Spaying & Neutering, Hormones, Tool: Neutering Alternatives

01:57:07 Humans as Animals, Tools, Cultural Learning

02:02:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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