The way people interact with animals often provides a clear window into their personality and emotional depth. In American households, pets hold a special place, with most owners treating them like family. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that 97 percent of U.S. pet owners see their animals as relatives. Despite this affection, animal cruelty and neglect remain widespread problems across the country.
Vinay Saranga, a psychiatrist based in Apex, North Carolina, recently discussed how treatment of animals highlights key psychological traits. He pointed out that caring behavior toward pets demonstrates strong empathy. “The first thing we can learn about how people treat animals is how empathetic they are,” Saranga noted. “When someone shows empathy toward an animal, it tells us that they are wired to notice vulnerability and respond with concern.”
Saranga explained that kindness to animals also tests how people handle power imbalances. Animals cannot speak up or defend themselves, so gentle care reflects ethical responsibility. He added that those who eagerly look after pets tend to be reliable and mature individuals. “If someone is kind and eager to take care of animals, it shows they are responsible and kind hearted,” he stated.
Positive interactions with animals often extend to broader life patterns. People who show patience with sick or elderly pets usually display emotional sensitivity. Handling pet-related frustrations, such as messes or unexpected needs, reveals tolerance and coping skills. Overall, nurturing animals signals a caring nature that likely appears in human relationships too.
On the darker side, cruelty toward animals raises serious concerns. Saranga described it as far more than a minor flaw. “Showing any kind of abuse to an animal is a major psychological red flag,” he warned. To him, it indicates instability and a potential liking for violence.
He further highlighted antisocial tendencies and possible past traumas in those who harm animals. Saranga expressed alarm at the emotional numbness involved. “This is a dangerous desensitization to suffering that should not be dismissed under any circumstances,” he said. “What really bothers me is that this person is so emotionally numb that an animal’s suffering doesn’t faze them.”
Research supports a troubling overlap between animal abuse and human violence. Studies show that animal cruelty appears in homes with domestic violence anywhere from 21 to 89 percent of the time. Experts estimate that around 10 million animals die annually in the U.S. from abuse or neglect, according to Shelter Animals Count. These figures underscore the need to take such behavior seriously.
The relationship between humans and animals has long fascinated psychologists. Known as “the link,” the connection between animal cruelty and later violence toward people is well documented. Many violent offenders, including some serial killers, have histories of abusing animals in childhood. This pattern led to the inclusion of animal cruelty in the Macdonald triad, an early set of behaviors once thought to predict sociopathy.
Since 2016, the FBI has tracked severe animal cruelty as a top-tier felony alongside other violent crimes. Animal welfare organizations like the ASPCA and Humane Society emphasize early intervention to prevent escalation. Compassion toward dependent beings, whether animals or people, remains a core marker of healthy character development. Recognizing these signs can help promote safer communities for everyone.
What does your own relationship with animals say about you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
