Do people who love animals have a mental disease?

Question

I cant understand how some people can love their cats and dogs so much like its a member of their family, I am thinking that maybe these people are mentally ill, because its against the laws of nature to be so affectionate to another species....any thought? what do you think?

Answer 1

I don't see any problem with thinking of an animal as a member of the family - I think it would be weird not to.
Perhaps I am mentally ill ?

Answer 2

What do you mean by "love" ;) I have the idea about an illness but it involves some intimate relations.Well the names such as "mama" and "papa" are also king of wrong... Huuummm,also there are people who let their pets sleep in their bed... Well,it is indeed some mental disfunction. I have a dog and I am attached to him very much.It is natural to build such a relation because people and dogs were dependable on each other for surviving. It was a sort of symbiosis - the hunter relied on the dog and the dog based its fidelity on its profit out of this. However I have no logical explanation about the cats and other.Probably these emotions are rally some sort of translation of emotions people are not able to express to other people.
Oh,yep and almost forgot - it is completely illogical when a farmer declares he loves the animals while really considering them a meal.

Answer 3

I can't understand why it would be against the law to love your pet, either. It doesn't matter by species. Lots of owners love their pets, and there's nothing that can change that. Let's say you had a dog. Your dog would basically show affection by laying on your lap on the couch, playing with you all day, or kissing you on the cheeks. That's their way of showing love, but they don't have a mental disease. Why would that even be true? I love my cats and dogs, so does that make me mental? Everybody has to love their pets. They're part of the family and need to be treated like it.

Answer 4

By "people who love animals" I assume you mean ordinary affection, caretaking & spending time with their pets, not something demented.
Have you ever truly known a dog, cat or other non-human animal? Pets give their humans so much love-- does this make my brother's retriever mentally ill? My friend's bunnies? The various creatures my SO & I share our home with? Maybe I need to get a tiny little strait jacket for my hairless rat, who obviously adores me.
As others have already mentioned, animals often cross the species line when forming friendships. I know of several dog-cat or cat-rabbit friendships & I once had a cat who was great pals with our ferret. I don't think any of these friendships are contrary to the "laws of nature," especially if one considers that "love is the law."
If animal-loving people were normally afflicted with mental health problems, there wouldn't be so many programs that unite persons with animals, as it would seem liable to promote further problems. I'm talking about dogs, cats & other friendly pets who are brought to convalescent homes to increase patient morale, and programs that allow children & teens to train dogs, among others.
It is well-established that people who harm animals usually go on to harm other humans, so it may be that people who *don't* love animals are the troubled ones.

Answer 5

I think people who ask stupid questions like that and people without a heart or soul, who don't find animals absolutely adorable are "mentally ill"
Who the hell are you that you're so above loving animals? It would do you good, you know? Perhaps, then you wouldn't be so judge'mental' and closed minded if you pet an animal every once in a while. Humans and animals have been close since the stone age and who are you? Darwin? What the hell do you know about the laws of nature... you're nothing but a pompous ass! And i don't mean that wonderful animal.

Answer 6

Since when is it against the laws of nature? I once saw a crow that adopted a motherless kitten, and a cow and a moose that fell in love and were inseperable. And then there's Coco the gorilla that knows sign language, she adopted two cats and loved them like they were her kids.

It's been proven that people that nurture animals have longer, happier lives than people without animal contact.

And think about it--humans can be so cruel. I would rather deal with my horse and take care of him than deal with some other human that is unkind. Animals love unconditionally. And yes, to some of us who can't have children or don't want children, they ARE our children.

Maybe you're a little off because you can't see how someone could be compassionate to another creature?

Answer 7

I totally disagree with you. People who love their pets very much do not necessarily have a mental illness. Love for animals shows caring, compassion and the ability to love. Some people's pets are like members of the family, and there's nothing abnormal about that. If love is taken to the EXTREME, such as if a person chooses to always be around his or her pet rather than have human contact, then that is not normal and possibly the person has issues with being with human beings.

Answer 8

I find it more likely that someone who is incapable of loving something else has a mental disorder. There is nothing un-natural about loving another species. Have you ever seen a gorilla with a kitten? Horses and dogs have been companions for centuries. I'm sure you saw pictures on the Internet of the baby hippo stranded by a tsunami who adopted a Galapagos tortoise as a parent. Mankind befriended dogs before we were capable of speech. Perfectly natural!!!

Answer 9

It is not at all against the laaws of nature, because those species reciprocate. Often you see animals of a species adopting another animal of another species, or you see different species cuddled up together. Humans and animals are not so different, and until we realize that we are doomed. We are all just different types of mammals. Plus, I don't see why I should love all humans more than all animals. There are actually some humans that I hate, because they have hurt me intentionally. why should I consider them more important than my pets who love me?

Answer 10

No, I am not mentally ill. If people could love other people as much as they do their pets, or other animals, this world would be a whole lot better off.