Friendship - Interspecies and Animal Friendship

Interspecies and Animal Friendship

See also: Ethology, Altruism in animals, and Sociobiology

Friendship as a type of interpersonal relationship is also found among animals of higher intelligence, such as the higher mammals and some birds. Cross-species friendships are common between humans and domestic animals. Less common but noteworthy are friendships between an animal and another animal of a different species, such as a dog and cat.

A study done by Krista McLennan, a PhD student at Northampton University, discovered a relationship between cows and their so-called "friends. " McLennan measured the heart rates of the cattle on three separate occasions to determine their stress levels. In the first trial the cows were isolated from the rest of the herd. The second trial penned the animal with another cow that they were familiar with. Finally, the third trial put two random cows together. Her research showed that the cows were much more stressed when alone or with an unfamiliar cow than they were with one of their friends. This proves that cows are very social animals and are capable of forming close bonds with other cows in their herd. If farmers can group these friends together, it could create tremendous benefits. Reducing the stress levels of these cows improves their overall health and can even produce a greater milk yield.