if as you state Sentient animals feel or perceive thing's , one should be able to just as humanoids should feel or perceive things . there would be a way to do so !!! . for instance ( strictly a example of being able too . kodan offers blacksmithing for animals ,just as elaina offers tailoring ) . So for animals to developed there way , one needs a NPC to do so . If its only via a humanoid way , what way is there ?