Community Discussions
Explore the latest discussions and community conversations related to this domain.
ELI5: Why do we pet animals and animals don't pet us or each other?
Main Post:
Why do we pet animals as we do? A cat doesn't pet another cat. A horse doesn't pat another horse. A dog doen't give belly rubs to other dogs. Why do humans do that as the way they interact with animals? Do we have scent glands like cats and dogs do so we are marking them or something? (stab in the dark) Thanks!!
Top Comment: Just think of it this way. You go to pick up a ball. You pick it up with your hands, as your hands are made for grabbing and touching. However, Fido the dog picks it up with his mouth, as his mouth is made for grabbing and touching. Species evolve in different ways, so we react and use body parts differently. Humans show affection and communicate through hands, voice, and facial expressions. Animals show affection and communicate through oral, sounds and body signals (wagging tail, purring, etc.) So we use our hands to show our affection to pets. This includes petting and scratching. Pets show their affection back by licking, rubbing heads, and other characteristics for the specific species. I heard a theory that animals think petting is akin to grooming. Grooming is a sign of affection and feels good to the animals. Especially for pack animals (dogs, horses, etc.), they are very touchy creatures, because they evolved to know the benefits of a pack mate and hierarchies. Solitary creatures, such as cats, are a bit of a mixed bag.
I don’t know why anyone would want to own a pet.
Main Post:
If I wanted to worry about another living thing every time I left the house, I would have kids. At least with kids they can pretty much go wherever you go and stay home alone after a certain age. Pets are expensive, make homes dirty (not always but you have to do a lot more cleaning to avoid this), and people use them as an excuse to avoid human connection. If a friend calls me up and asks if I want to go to the lake for a weekend I don’t want my first thought to be “aww but who will watch Baxter?”. I understand they’re cute but they aren’t cute enough, especially dogs and cats. Half the time they’re assholes and their owners refuse to see it. Not that I blame an animal for acting like an animal but there’s no reason to act like your puppy is the most precious thing to ever grace the land when it’s currently drooling slobber on your couch.
EDIT: I did expect a lot of outrage at this post but damn did not expect all this attention. For the people saying they think this is a troll it’s not. A lot of people also misunderstood my point about kids. I don’t want kids nor do I think they’re easier or cheaper than pets; I live with one I would know. My point was at least with kids they grow up at some point. With pets you are basically raising a mini baby all the time. If the pet dies and you get another then they’re just as dependent as the last one. Maybe it’s selfish but I would never want to devote that much of my life to another thing and it surprises me how many people would. As for the people saying you could take your dog to the lake yeah you’re right you could. But you probably couldn’t take it to the hotel you stay at the night of, any flights you might want to take, and whatever restaurants you may want to eat at. It’s surprising to me that more people don’t find that annoying. For the record I would never mistreat an animal, that’s fucked up. I just wouldn’t get one either and yeah, I’m genuinely shocked so many of you would.
Top Comment: It’s one of those things where it takes some personal time with a pet to understand why they’re special
ELI5: Why do animals enjoy being pet?
Main Post: ELI5: Why do animals enjoy being pet?
Top Comment: A lot of mammals have grooming behavior between members of the family or pack. Petting triggers some of the same responses. The grooming is a signal that the animal is accepted and is safe. So the animal likes the pets because it signals that it is accepted and safe.
Why do we pet animals?
Main Post: Why do we pet animals?
Top Comment:
A sign of affection, we can't do anything else physical, like lick them... (well you can do that, but it wouldn't be nice)
Why do humans like to pet animals so much?
Main Post: Why do humans like to pet animals so much?
Top Comment: I think it is a combination of a lot of factors: Nuture instinct from loving for infants. Many animals have "baby-like" traits i.e. Neoteny - Wikipedia Culture: don't quote me on this but I remember reading somewhere caring for animals may be evidence one can care for their potential offspring thus culture reinforces. The texture of animal fur feels nice and contact with them can release oxytocin, a bonding hormone, and/or reduce stress. Moreover, it can be a 2-way street, my dog's wagging tail when I pet her makes me really happy.
Why do we have pets?
Main Post:
Mine is dying today. After 14 years of love and happiness I feel like I could die. All the good times don’t help with the pain I’m feeling now. It wasn’t worth this pain. My soul is crushed
Edit: today I realized it was worth it, because I’d suffer through this pain all over again for one more day with my angel
Top Comment: We have pets because we are ultimately empathetic people who love to share our lives. Unfortunately, lifespans don't match up nicely. You had 14 amazing years and are feeling like you're being left behind, but your pet had 14 amazing years and is leaving this world after a lifetime of love and fun and safety and companionship. For most of the lives of most living things, life is an endless rush for food and shelter and never knowing what tomorrow will bring. But for your pet, your took them out of that cycle. You let them live a life without fear, because they knew you were there, with food that never ran out permanently, a warm place to sleep, and all the love and attention they could want. Saying goodbye is a horrific pain, but it's a pain that means that you loved. You did good. Right now, it feels like that pain will never end, but it will lessen. I promise it will grow easier to bear. Right now you may cry yourself to sleep without your pet, but someday you'll be able to look at pictures of them and smile. And remember. And someday even, you may find another animal that looks at you, and you'll find that your heart has space again to rescue another life from fear and uncertainty. Not because you are replacing your pet in your heart, but because by loving them, your heart was able to grow large enough to encompass another. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Why do so many of you guys like pets so much
Main Post:
Arent most pets basically just kids that never grow up? They can’t speak, they need constant attention and care, can’t be left on their own, etc. Except kids will eventually grow up, while pets remain the same way for their short lives. What’s the difference to you guys?
Top Comment:
My cat sleeps about 20 hours a day in a cat bed next to me. Hard to get lower maintenance than that, lol. She gets food and treats and I get purring and cat snuggles.
Why do you have a pet?
Main Post:
I'm working on a project for school and I'm looking into insights from pet owners as to why they have pets. It'd really help me out if you guys were willing to share why you got a pet and what you continue to get out of it. Thanks!
Top Comment:
I don't actually know. I like them. I want more. I want a freaking zoo. I also like plants. I think living things are the bees knees.