Buffalox@lemmy.world 3 days ago
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, the pet is included and has become part of the group maybe even family.
So in short it’s based on an instinct that helps the group survive, this is also useful regarding dogs horses and to some degree farm animals. For less “useful” pets, the instinct is the same, but doesn’t really serve an immediate purpose. Except maybe it can be helpful to overcome hardship.
andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 3 days ago
I think animal affection – particularly for cute, non useful animals – is an extension of our infant protection drive.
Buffalox@lemmy.world 3 days ago
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 in a situation of disaster, and will also be rescued. For those animals the love goes deeper than just looks.