103. Valentine’s Love, Animal Bonds & Why Pets Become Our Heartmates

In this Valentine’s Day–themed episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore love in all its forms — romantic, familial, and especially the deep emotional bonds we share with animals. From how pet parents celebrate Valentine’s Day with their pets to hopeful conservation news and groundbreaking research on human–animal attachment, this episode is a heartfelt reminder of why pets truly add life. Story Time features: Kristen shares new survey data revealing that 70% of U.S. pet parents buy Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets, with spending expected to reach $3.7 billion. Millennials lead the trend, treating pets as close companions and proudly sharing the love on social media. Chris highlights uplifting conservation news: giant pandas have been reclassified from “endangered” to “vulnerable,” marking a major milestone for global wildlife conservation efforts and showing that sustained protection and awareness can make a real difference. Special Guests: Dr. Monique Udell, Human–Animal Bond Scientist & Associate Professor, Oregon State University Dr. Naomi Hoyer, Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist Pet Product Recommendations: Oxbow Applewood Chew Sticks (for small animals) – https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com Maxbone Stranger Things Pet Collection – https://www.maxbone.com/products/ Q&A Topics: Are there science-backed ways to deepen the bond with a dog if it doesn’t feel instant or natural? (Submitted by Alex from Boulder, CO) Do fish recognize their owners, or is the calming connection of aquariums one-sided? (Submitted by Ryan from San Mateo, CA) Related Links: Human–Animal Interaction Lab (Oregon State University): https://haib.org Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC): https://vohc.org Wildlife Conservation Society: https://www.wcs.org American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org DOGTV Unleashed FAST Channel: https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org Social Channels: Pets Add Life (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petsaddlife Pets Add Life (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/PetsAddLife Pets Add Life (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@petsaddlife Pets Add Life (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@petsaddlife Subscribe & Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts! Submit a question to the podcast: https://www.petsaddlife.org/podcast Presented by: American Pet Products Association (APPA) & DOGTV