I also don't get that "unconditional love" mindset. That isn't how it works with children or animals but I can't agree with you on the empty behaviors to get fed thing.

I think ALL love is conditional. If we don't fulfill some need in others they won't want to fulfill our needs. Barring some extreme condition where were aren't capable to provide love to the other person. If I go into a coma today I expect my husband will still care for me until I die but if I were to just stop actively caring for him and showing him love even though I am perfectly healthy I would expect him to be asking for therapy or a divorce within the year.

I think animals are more honest about it actually. I know that I am providing them with food, shelter and attention that they crave and in return they show me love, affection and protection without my asking them for it. They will very plainly let me know that they want to eat, walk or be petted. I rarely have to guess what they are wanting from me. With humans not so much. A lot of people will hide their true feelings for one reason or another and you have to figure out what you are supposed to do to make them happy.

As a child I was forced to respond to affection from relatives I didn't like or trust because it was polite. I gave hugs I hated, kisses that made me cringe on the inside and even foot rubs (I can't even touch other people's feet now) but even as an adult I'm expected to not show those people how much I hate these forms of affection out of politeness. These people never made an effort to do anything for me that I liked and they have no idea how much I despise them. I'm not the only person who feels this way about these people either but they have no idea most of their family despises their forced affections.

You can't force an animal to give you affection. Just try giving a cat a hug. You are most likely going to walk away with a few scratches and a pissed off cat. Now if you gently scratch its back it is most likely going to rub up on your leg and purr. You have to fulfill their needs in the way they want or they aren't going to respond in a positive manner.

Slavery to fill an emotional hole would require the ability to hug the cat and get a positive response from the cat that would fill your need for affection without giving the cat anything to elicit a positive response.

Seriously, the dogs adore me because I make an effort to fulfill their needs the best I can. The cat even likes me despite the fact that I do nothing for him except the occasional butt scratch. He should probably hate me because I'm the one who does his nails and bathes and lets the cursed dogs in the house(<- things highest on the list of things cats hate) but he will still come and rub up on my legs when the dogs aren't at me heels.