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.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com.hubermanOur Place: https://fromourplace.com/hubermanBetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanFunction: https://functionhealth.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Karolina Westlund00:02:19 Students & Animal Species; Horses00:06:36 Dog Breeds & Interaction, Predatory Sequence, Smell, Domestication00:12:42 Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep00:16:09 Dog Breeds & Domestication, Bulldogs00:20:16 Core Affect Space, Petting, Tool: Consent Test; Polyvagal Theory00:27:53 Space, Dominance, Resources, Leash Walking; Dog-Owner Training00:37:13 Tail Wagging & Interpreting Body Signals, Facial Expressions00:43:24 Play Bow, Tool: MARS & Playing; Dogs & Empathy00:48:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv00:51:46 Fairness, Social Groups; Anthropomorphism vs Anthropodenial00:57:45 Cats, Hunting, Bring Gifts?, Interaction & Socialization01:03:56 Scent & Territorial Marking; Covering Waste, Tool: Litter Box Placement01:08:17 “Pee Mail” & Communication; Wolves, Domestication01:11:54 Zoos, Conservation; Tigers01:18:53 Sponsor: Function01:20:41 Stalking; Birds, Parrots01:25:22 Nose Work, Wildlife Chasing, Tool: Dog Feeding & Challenge01:31:01 Understanding & Choosing Dog for Your Lifestyle, Tool: Introducing Cats01:34:27 Recognizing Self vs Other, Inbreeding Avoidance, Imprinting01:40:51 Imprinting vs Attachment Bonds; Dogs, Weaning & Secure Attachment01:48:36 Spaying & Neutering, Hormones, Tool: Neutering Alternatives01:57:07 Humans as Animals, Tools, Cultural Learning02:02:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network NewsletterDisclaimer & Disclosures
Huberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.
- No. of episodes: 298
- Latest episode: 2025-05-05
- Health & Fitness Science Life Sciences
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