A new poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners shows that more than half wish they could converse with their four‑legged companions to learn what they truly think. the research, commissioned by pet insurer Petgevity, highlights the most frequent questions owners would pose if pets could speak.

54% of owners wish they could talk to their pets, says Petgevity survey

According to the Petgevity‑commissioned study,54 per cent of respondents said they often imagine what their pet would say if it could talk . This desire reflects a broader trend of treating pets as family members whose inner lives matter as much as those of humans.

Top five questions owners want to ask, led by “Are you happy?”

The poll identified the five most common queries: “Are you happy?”, “Do you like your life?”, “Do you understand every word I say?”, “What’s your favourite thing we do together?” and “What is actually happening in that head?”. The leading question, “Are you happy?”, was cited by 43 per cent of participants, underscoring the emotional bond owners feel.

Petgevity launches neurodiversity podcast with James Hoyles and Trevor the Iggy

Petgevity has responded to the curiosity surge by debuting a podcast on pet neurodiversity, featuring Doctor Who actor James Hoyles and his Iggy Terrier, Trevor. hoyles told the outlet, “Having a pet means you never stop learrning… No pet is the same – every animal is different and will have different needs.” The series aims to explore topics such as whether dogs can be autistic, a question raised by 18 per cent of owners.

Unanswered mystery: Are pets autistic or can they read minds?

While 18 per cent of dog owners wonder if their pets might be autistic, 36 per cent of cat owners speculate that cats can read their owners’ thoughts. The survey provides no scientific backing for either claim, leaving these intriguing possibilities firmly in the realm of speculation.

Who still doesn’t know the answers? Gaps in research and pet‑owner perception

Two specific gaps remain: first, there is no consensus on whether animals experience neurodiversity in the same way humans do; second, the claim that pets can read minds lacks empirical evidence. As the report notes, “They aren’t just pets but friends and members of our family,” yet the science has yet to catch up with owners’ imagination.