Why do some people treat their pets like humans?

Question

I'm just curious. Why do some people treat animals better than they treat human? Why do some pet owners act as if their pets ARE human? I just don't get it. I just find it strange how some pets are doted on so much. When worst comes to worst you still have to rely on other humans to help you, not animals...

I've now read about 10 or so replies and thank you for that. It's given me great insight. I've never owned a dog or a cat (but have smaller animals) not because I don't like them but because I wasn't allowed one as a kid and so never grew up around them and never got used to them like most people do.

So now when I go to other people's (friends) houses and see dog/cat hair everywhere I feel slightly repulsed. And I hate when they lick my face.

I also have another 'issue' with rich people who get dogs or cats (or heck even kids!) and don't even look after them themselves and just pay others to do it - what's the point?

Answer 1

I think that there are some people who just love animals. In much the same way as people who just dislike animals. Another reason is probably loneliness and so the dog or cat gives them company, joy, security and unconditional love. In fact pets are used in human therapy especially for the old lonely people. However, sometimes it is not loneliness but the joy especially if the animal is so cute, good tempered, very lovable and intelligent. I have seen some good and happy families which love their pet so much and treat their pet like human. I have seen also pets which are aggressive to other people (not to their owner) bur just the same , the owner love the pet that much; maybe this kind of pet give the owner some security. It sounds weird but its just what they feel about their pet . Maybe its fun for them to treat their pets as humans and they just probably have nothing much to do other than focus their attention to their pet.

Answer 2

Well I had a cat for 17 1/2 yrs and she was better than most the humans I know. She was always at the door waiting when I got home, never talked back or talked about me. People of lately are really cruel and violent, whereas pets are not as long as they are taken care of. My cat meant the world to me and my mom, she was like part of the family. It's going to be my first Christmas without her and it will be difficult to deal with. I still have family members coming over looking for her in particular my little cousins bc she was the type of cat that loved everyone. I hope that helps you a little more understand from a pet owners perspective. Along with that animals can help you at times more than humans can. Look at rescue dogs or seeing-eye dogs or drug sensing dogs...without them a lot of people would not be where they are today. . .

Answer 3

Anthropomorphism - because they feel they are like humans. Unfortunately, these are the people that have behavior problems with their pets that THEY caused, by not training & being the leader. Then they get on here saying things like "I love my dog & would do anything for him, so why does he growl at me when I move him off the couch?" - not even realizing they have answered their own question: you DON'T give your dog total freedom to run the house, or this is the consequence! Most pets end up at shelters & euthanized because of behavior problems. It is just so sad that many of these people will see it as 'that dog's problem' & rush out to get another one - and most likely repeat the cycle. Sigh.

What's even worse are all the ones that feel their dogs 'need' to be 'parents' - helloooo?!? And the shelters aren't crowded enough?

Ok, enough on the soapbox. Yes, some people use their pets as substitutes for friends, family, or to fill their empty lives, not in the healthy way they should: as a companion, yet accepting it is an animal & treating it as such. Welcome to modern life, where we spend more time corresponding with strangers on the internet than interacting with real friends & family.

Answer 4

mt-ski...I have FAR from an empty life and am not looking for my dog to give me meaning. I have a very nice life and he just adds to it. People are all different. I realize that not everyone loves animals as I do, or even understands why I do. That's okay, though. Pets can truly bring so much joy to humans. As far as the relying on only people to help you, well, this is be true to a point. Have you by chance ever heard of service animals? People who own them could not live their lives the same without them. They actually DO really on the animal for all sorts of help...physical, mental, etc. They have also been trained to get the person help (yes, from a human) if they are in danger or are very sick. As for me, no I do not have my pet for a special need; I just played a very small role in trying to do a kind thing by giving this "shelter animal" a nice home. We, as a family, love him very much, and he gives us so much love in return. It's a known fact that animals can help severely depressed people. They give back what you give to them. That may be why we animal lovers can be so perky and annoying...all of the extra love that we are receiving.

Answer 5

If you dont understand then you never will, take a dog for example, spell it backwards, GOD? humm, Some of us in this world are unable to have children and the closest thing we will get to having them is our pets, God Bless you if you can have KIDS your very very lucky, I honestly think its who you are as a person, Pets can be comforting and loving if treated this way, or they can be aggresive and mean if not taken care of properly, I ask you this, would you stick two 10 year olds into a fighting ring and watch them fight to the death, (PRETTY SICK) but people do it with animals all the time. Would you set a 1 year old on fire for kicks? (people do that to cats all the time) Most humans I know are good people, but they have not evolved past this me me me stage. I think if you can look into an animals eyes and not love it, not see its kindness and GOD then there is something missing in you as a person. They are gifts that have been allowed to SHARE this planet with us, I grew up on a farm, I know the differnce between killing to eat and just not having any feelings about animals. Its sad that as humans most of us have not evolved enough to open our hearts to all kinds of love. I love my PETS all of them, my cats, my dogs, my fish, my rat, and all the wild animals that I feed. If you think it has something to do with status or way of life your way off, I lived in LA for 16 years, and have 6 Grammy. ONCE AGAIN EITHER YOU GET IT OR YOU DON'T. No one can answer this question for you.

Answer 6

Guilty as charged. They respond. I can't just have a "pet" and not acknowledge it on some level as being part of this family. They are our surrogate kids. They are loved, and spoiled as are children. Animals do in fact help you in some cases. Seeing eye dogs, hearing ear dogs, I've heard of a case where a bird's owner saved her by not letting her leave the room because she was in the throwes of an epileptic attack, my cat came to comfort me when I was in dire pain, so animals can help you.

In some cases, the more people I meet, the better I like my pets.

Answer 7

Animals give unconditional affection to you no matter who you are or what you look like. They don't judge you, they are always happy to see you, you are their world. Who wouldn't want to be around someone to whom you are a god? I love all my pets, I know they are not human but I like them better than I like most humans. Since I have assumed responsibility for them I will treat them with the care and respect they deserve.

btw I have 5 dogs, a cat, pot bellied pig, 3 horses and a donkey.

Answer 8

Because some people love animals unconditionally just as they will always love them back. People who do not have children are prone to spoiling their pets like kids. My mom works with someone who is married with no kids. She gives her dogs 7 vitamins a day, expensive food, and bought them a dog couch. It seems crazy, but hey...this woman is happy and her dogs are happy.

Answer 9

Because it is the only frame of reference some people know. A dog treats a dog like a dog because he is a dog. A dog treats a cat like a dog because he is a dog...Get it...

Answer 10

Let me preface, I know my cat is a cat, I know my dog is a dog. However, I do recognize thier innate instincts to comfort, and sometimes sooth their human. If you want humans....go to Walmart, or post office tell me how soothing that was.